“I think that’s why they relate to each other so profoundly.”

Bridgerton star Luke Thompson has opened up about his character Benedict’s relationship with sibling Eloise and how it could be affecting his chances at romance.

In a new interview with Deadline, the actor reflected on Benedict’s swing scenes with Eloise (played by Claudia Jessie) and shared how he believes their intimacy could be preventing him from finding love.

“Those scenes were the first scenes that, back for Season 1, I was sent to audition for,” he said. “They were the first scenes that made me fall in love with Bridgerton and really because it feels like a perfect marriage of something quite Regency and historical, but also something very modern and relatable about just a brother and sister chatting on the swing.”

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“What’s lovely about those scenes, I think, is that they crystallise the relationship between Benedict and Eloise in a way,” he explains. “They’re on the sidelines… and that’s where they find each other. I think that’s why they relate to each other so profoundly.”

He adds that this “intimacy” amongst the two Bridgerton siblings could be affecting Benedict’s romantic pursuits.

“What’s also interesting is that maybe they’re sort of standing in each other’s way a little bit,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of emotional intimacy, that Benedict gets from his family and Eloise in particular.

“You sort of think, ‘Well if you’re going to find someone specific, you’re going to have to let go a little bit, or hold on a little less tightly to those relationships’,” he explained.

Thompson believes Benedict depending less on his family and this “connection” will allow his character “to make space for other stuff”, though admits this is “very hard” to do.

Season three saw Benedict explore his sexuality further, enjoying a threesome with new Ton characters Lady Tilly Arnold (Hannah new) and her friend Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio).

However, in the season finale, viewers saw Benedict end things with the pair after Tilly asked for something more serious between them.

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In the same interview Thompson admits he’s still “anxiously awaiting” what’s in store for his character in season four. Netflix has yet to announce the central romantic storyline for the next season, which was renewed alongside season 3, when the cast were filming the second series.

It’s thought Benedict could be the next Bridgerton member to find love on screen if taking into account Julia Quinn’s book series. The second oldest brother is the protagonist in the third book An Offer From A Gentleman, but Netflix switched the order with season three to showcase Polin’s love story instead.

Showrunner Jess Brownell recently stated that there will be a long wait for the next instalment, with Bridgerton season four not expected to air for another two years.