Bridgerton Season 4: Black Excellence, African Fashion & The Hair That Has Everyone Talking
- Sahndra Fon Dufe
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
A Black Film Wire Deep Dive
Four days ago, Cape Town was buzzing.
The South African premiere of Bridgerton Season 4 at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa was an Afrocouture masquerade that brought African fashion to the forefront of one of the world's biggest shows.
Zozibini Tunzi wore a custom Georges Malelu masterpiece made entirely of cowrie shells. Katlego Lebogang incorporated cowrie beads into her afro hairstyle. Nigerian actress Idia Aisen dazzled in a Bridgerton-inspired green jeweled ballgown. Emma Naomi, Martins Imhangbe, and Masali Baduza brought star power to the blue carpet.
By centering African fashion and hosting the premiere on the continent, Bridgerton acknowledged the African diaspora's influence on the show's aesthetic and invited African designers and actors into the conversation.
Cowrie shells, beads, braids, and the likes are cultural signifiers with deep historical meaning. Seeing them celebrated at a Bridgerton premiere signals that this show understands its responsibility to the communities it represents.And now, the show is finally here, with African-inspired fashion and stunning hair woven throughout every frame.
This is our deep dive into what makes Bridgerton Season 4 a cultural moment, and why representation in period dramas still matters in 2026.
Black Stars Bringing Magic to the Ton and Why it Matters
Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich
The stunning Emma Naomi has been promoted to main cast for Season 4 after recurring appearances in previous seasons.
She plays Alice Mondrich, wife to Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe). The Mondrichs have navigated their rise in society, from Will's boxing days to becoming part of the Ton, and offer wisdom about marriage, parenthood, and maintaining authenticity in a world that wants to change you.
Emma's braided updo is absolutely gorgeous—a crown of beads and braids that honors African adornment traditions while fitting seamlessly into the Bridgerton fantasy. The intricate styling showcases how Black hair can exist in period dramas without erasing cultural identity. Emma previously won Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series at the 2022 National Film Awards for her role in Professor T. It's good to see her in another culturally defining show.
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
The commanding Black monarch of Regency England continues to be a fashion and hair icon.Her wigs this season are nothing short of spectacular, particularly her masquerade look featuring a heart-shaped cage crafted from hair and silver leaf, representing star formations from George's beloved astronomy.
At the masquerade ball, Queen Charlotte refuses to wear a mask. As Golda Rosheuvel explains: " Queen Charlotte is quite defiant, actually. She refuses to wear a mask. She's the queen." This refusal to hide is central to Queen Charlotte's character. While everyone else hides behind masks, she stands in her full power, unapologetically visible.
Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
The powerful matron of the Ton returns with her signature strength and perfectly groomed presence. And her gladiator-inspired gold mask at the masquerade? Chef's kiss.
This season, Lady Danbury announces she's thinking of stepping back from leading society to travel and visit her ancestral home, which she hadn't visited since she was 4.This acknowledges that even the most powerful among us deserve rest, roots, and the right to choose our own paths.
Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
Returns as Alice's husband, continuing their stable, loving partnership that stands as an example to other couples.Their relationship is a quiet rebellion against the tTon's drama, proof that Black love can be steady, and still utterly captivating on screen.
Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling
The South African actress ( Noughts + Crosses and The Woman King) brings Michaela Stirling to life, a genderswapped version of the book character Michael Stirling. Her presence in Episode 1 is brief but impactful, and her character will play a larger role in Francesca's story going forward.
Masali's casting as a South African actress continues Bridgerton's commitment to centering African and diaspora talent in major roles. It's a feat they certainly deserve credit for, given the broader script in Hollywood.
Victor Alli as John Stirling
Returning as Francesca's husband, the Earl of Kilmartin, Victor Alli (Gangs of London, Andor, Death on the Nile) brings quiet strength to the role of a man who genuinely loves his wife and wants her to be close to her family.
The Art of Adornment: Hair & Styling in Season 4
Nic Collins returns as the Hair and Makeup Designer for Season 4, having previously worked on Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Collins and assistant designer Giorgio Galliero created approximately 160 wigs just for the masquerade ball scene alone.
Let that sink in. 160 wigs. Just for one scene!
Collins wanted to "soften things" this season, creating different levels of glamour between the upstairs world and the downstairs servants' quarters.
"We wanted the hair styles for the men to be slightly softer. The makeup [is] slightly less in places."
This softening creates a more romantic, intimate atmosphere, perfect for Benedict's fairy tale love story.
Of course, there's no way to do this without acknowledging Queen Charlotte's masquerade wig. That baby is a masterpiece of hair artistry.
For context, there's a A heart-shaped outer cage crafted from hair and silver leaf, star formations representing the constellation (George's love of astronomy), a replica of the nuptial crown George gifted Charlotte, also made from hair, and the acrylic gray hair intricately braided upward in an artistic take on the Apollo knot.
This, of course, is the legacy of the late Marc Pilcher: who passed away in 2021 after designing Seasons 1-2. He originally created Queen Charlotte's signature look, incorporating locs, braids, and massive afros to honor her African heritage. Pilcher was inspired by Beyoncé! Nic Collins continues this legacy in Season 4, ensuring that Black hair remains central to the show's aesthetic.
The Season 4 Aesthetic
Based on the latest costume designs for Season 4 (2026), there's a shift toward warmer, autumn-inspired tones, moving away from the bright, pastel, palettes of previous seasons.The aesthetic focuses on rich, deeper colors and a notable reduction in the use of pure white.
For Sophie's Masquerade Ball Gown,a showstopper dress made of Italian silver lamé chiffon with a cream base, adorned with:iny handmade appliqués, Bugle beads, Seed beads, Crystal beads, Swarovski crystals, and Sparkle pleated tulle
If you're going for the Season 4 aesthetic for a costume party or just because you're that girl:
Colors: Think of deep, rich, autumnal colors like navy, or bronze, replacing the brighter, lighter colors of earlier seasons.
Details: Focus on intricate beading, sparkling tulle, and structured sleeves.
Silhouette: A high-waisted, Regency-style dress made with modern, luxurious materials.
Accessories: Look for items inspired by the "Moonlit Masquerade," "Whispering Wisteria," or "Love & Meadows" themes.
Masks: Lace masks, ard masks adorned with jewels, shiny metallic masks, and feathered masks.
Final Thoughts
From Emma Naomi's beaded braids to Queen Charlotte's defiant refusal to wear a mask, down right to Nic Collins' 160 handcrafted wigs—this season says: Black beauty belongs in every frame. Black hair deserves artistry. Black love is worth celebrating.And that swan on someone's head? That's just the bonus chaos we love.
Read our Episode 1 review and recap here. Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 (Episodes 1-4) is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 releases February 26, 2026.
FEATURED SNIPPET OPPORTUNITIES |
Who are the Black actors in Bridgerton Season 4?The Black actors in Bridgerton Season 4 include Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich, Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich, Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling, and Victor Alli as John Stirling. Emma Naomi has been promoted to main cast this season and features stunning beaded braids in Episode 1. |
Who styled the hair in Bridgerton Season 4?Nic Collins is the Hair and Makeup Designer for Bridgerton Season 4, working with assistant designer Giorgio Galliero. The team created approximately 160 wigs just for the masquerade ball scene. Collins continues the legacy of late designer Marc Pilcher, who originally created Queen Charlotte's signature look incorporating locs, braids, and massive afros inspired by Beyoncé. |
What is the fashion aesthetic of Bridgerton Season 4?Bridgerton Season 4 shifts toward warmer, autumn-inspired tones with rich, deeper colors like navy, berry, and bronze, moving away from previous seasons' bright pastels. The costume team created 172 unique looks for the masquerade ball alone, with intricate beading, Swarovski crystals, and handmade appliqués. The jewelry department crafted over 700 pieces for the season. |
Why does representation matter in Bridgerton?Representation in Bridgerton matters because it centers Black hair artistry, celebrates African fashion and adornment, creates space for diverse love stories, and reimagines period dramas as inclusive spaces. The show demonstrates that Black beauty, African-inspired styling (like Emma Naomi's beaded braids and Queen Charlotte's elaborate wigs), and Black actors belong in every genre, including historical romance. |
What was the South Africa Bridgerton premiere?The Bridgerton Season 4 South Africa premiere was held on January 25, 2026, at Cape Town's Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa with an "Afrocouture masquerade" theme. Attendees including Zozibini Tunzi (in a custom Georges Malelu gown made of cowrie shells), Katlego Lebogang (with cowrie beads in her afro), and Nigerian actress Idia Aisen wore African-inspired fashion that celebrated the show's cultural impact. |