SPOILER ALERT: This post contains details from the entirety ofBridgertonSeason 3.
After exploring his sexuality with both Tilly and Paul, Benedict thinks he needs more freedom.
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Maybe he does.
Luke Thompson in ‘Bridgerton’Netflix
Or, maybe, you could argue that hesbeenexploring, Thompson tells Deadline.
Perhaps thats a lesson for Benedict in Season 4.
Just like viewers, Thompson says hes anxiously awaiting whatever the writers have in store for his character.
DEADLINE:I know many viewers had suspected Benedict may be queer.
LUKE THOMPSON:I think it was sort of hinting at something in Season 1.
And sometimes it is.
DEADLINE:It did seem like that was a freeing moment for him.
What do you think that this exploration meant for him in Season 3?
THOMPSON:Its an interesting moment, because you could argue that hesbeenexploring.
Actually, it was quite a confronting moment for Benedict.
Tilly chose him, but hes maybe not quite yet ready to receive [that] fully.
Well, theres something also really exciting about doing the opposite.
He left with that at the end of Season 3.
Hes maybe not quite ready yet.
But its an interesting place to leave him with something to think about.
DEADLINE:I appreciated that Benedict and Eloise had their swing set moment in Season 3 again.
Its sort of a tradition now.
What do you think those scenes encapsulate about their relationship?
Theyre on the sidelines…and thats where they find each other.
I think thats why they relate to each other so profoundly.
Theyre both in that position in terms of how they feel about the ton or society.
But whats also interesting is that maybe theyre sort of standing in each others way a little bit.
I think theres a lot of emotional intimacy, that Benedict gets from his family and Eloise in particular.
Thats where they meet and find each other similar.
Have you thought, though, about what he might be like under such circumstances?
THOMPSON:Thats the magic of acting, right?
I know that sounds probably a little bit strange.
The answer is, I dont know.
I dont know what it will be.
I havent played the scenes yet.
Its sort of why is the job is so fun, right?
Its a mystery to me as well.
Any scenes going forward into future seasons, I dont know what hes going to be faced with.
Thats why its such an exciting job.
My answer is, yeah, well see what happens.
DEADLINE:Benedict seemed a bit disconnected from his art this season.
He doesnt even mention it to Paul when he asks.
It doesnt really go anywhere.
Theres a glimpse of something, but then its re-explored in Season 3.
I think, with the art, it was there for a bit and it went underground.
Well see if it resurfaces.
I think its a very interesting side of him.
So you’re free to see why hes buried it deep.
There may be a strange sort of sense of shame, actually.
Well have to see.
DEADLINE:When it comes to future seasons, Benedict will eventually get his own love story, presumably.
What are you most looking forward to about that?
THOMPSON:Not to sound too strange, but he was a bit of a mystery to me.
Hes not able to be fully vulnerable about or fully committed to something.
What is something you learned from Benedict this season?
THOMPSON:How freedom is its own trap, I guess, in a strange kind of way.
Actually, freedom has its own constraints, because youre stopping yourself from actually growing up.
I think thats really interesting.
We talk about this idea of wanting to be free.
Its understandable, and its also historical.
That has always been around, and thats wonderful.
But also, theres a limit to it.
There is just something thats unsolvable.
I think thats interesting.
I think thats what hes taught me, certainly, this season.
DEADLINE:Is there anything I missed or that you wanted to add?
THOMPSON:People were mentioning that Id almost come out, like Benedict is pansexual.
Hes open to interpretation.
Im not going to say anything about it.
I think its interesting.
I think its a word that could be used.
Thats up to other people.
Thats just one thing thats been floating around in my head.
THOMPSON:I dont want to sound like a d*ck, but also reverence towards the audience.
Its up to you guys.
Im not gonna stand in front of it and be like, This is what he is.
Because thats not how it works, or how acting works.
I think its up to the audience.
