Bridgerton's Yerin Ha Says Former Leads Simone Ashley and Nicola Coughlan Have Been 'Lovely' and 'Supportive' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Nicola Coughlan, Yerin Ha and Simone Ashley.Photo:JB Lacroix/WireImage; Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Jeff Spicer/Getty

Nicola Coughlan attends The Fashion Awards 2024; Yerin Ha during a photocall for the Bridgerton: Season of Love Valentine’s event; Simone Ashley attends the “2025 Pirelli Calendar VIP Gala”

JB Lacroix/WireImage; Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Jeff Spicer/Getty

The actors joining the cast forBridgertonseason 4have some pretty big shoes to fill!

But ahead of the Netflix series' season 4 return,Yerin Ha, who will play Benedict Bridgerton’s love interest Sophie Baek, exclusively reveals to PEOPLE that the show’s already established stars have been nothing but “supportive.”

“They’re so lovely,” Ha tells PEOPLE ofNicola Coughlan(Penelope Featherington) andSimone Ashley(Kathani “Kate” Sharma) at a Valentine’s Day fan event held at Raffles Ballroom in London on Feb. 14.

Yerin Ha is joining the cast of ‘Bridgerton’.Dave Benett/Getty

Yerin Ha attends the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star Party, ahead of the EE BAFTA Film Awards

Dave Benett/Getty

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“Basically, [they’ve said], if you want advice, please reach out. But don’t get too scared. The fans are amazing,” she reveals.

However, Ha says she’s keen to forge her own path, too. “I … wanted to just feel this journey for myself and kind of figure [it] out on my own,” she says.

Also on hand for support isLuke Thompson(Benedict Bridgerton), with Ha telling PEOPLE that the pair have already “bonded.”

Gracie McGonigal as Hazel, Yerin Ha as Sophie Beckett, Oli Higginson as Footman John in episode 404 of Bridgerton.Liam Daniel/Netflix

Gracie McGonigal as Hazel, Yerin Ha as Sophie Beckett, Oli Higginson as Footman John in episode 404 of Bridgerton

Liam Daniel/Netflix

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“We work so well together,” says the actress, 27, of the 36-year-old actor.

“There’s just such an openness with Luke and I’d like to think I’m quite open with him,” she continues. “And we just try to focus on the story and focus on truly accepting each other for who we are, both character-wise and as people.”

In September 2024, Ha recalledthe exciting moment she learned of her casting onBridgerton.

The good news even gave Ha’s mother indigestion.

“[My mom] came out crying, and then after the phone call, she was like, ‘We gotta go home. I think I have indigestion,' and so we left,” the Korean actress said with a laugh in the clip. “It was really beautiful to kind of, I guess share that moment with her,” she added.

Seasons 1-3 ofBridgerton(and its spinoffQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) are now streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com