Two weeks after her Bridgerton audition, Yerin Ha found out she’d won the lead role. ‘It was one of the quickest turnarounds I’ve ever had,’ the Australian actor recalls. In the Regency romp’s hotly anticipated fourth instalment, Ha plays Sophie Baek, a maid with a mysterious past who falls for Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson. ‘He really is the best human,’ says Ha, whose Korean heritage inspired her character’s surname, which has been changed from Julia Quinn’s books.
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Having grown up and trained in Sydney, Ha gained recognition for her role as Kwan Ha in the live-action Halo series. Bridgerton will launch her into a new realm, one with a famously fervent fanbase. ‘I’m just putting that in a little box, locking it away and trying not to think about it,’ the 27-year-old says. ‘Nicola [Coughlan] has always said, “Reach out if you need help or advice with anything.” She’s navigated it in such a graceful way.’ If it all gets a little too overwhelming, Ha will seek solace in the natural world, whether it’s going for a hike or a swim in the sea. ‘Nature always makes me feel quite small in a positive way,’ she says.
Otto Masters
Bridgerton’s next season might resonate with those of us on dating apps; there’s a lot of hiding behind masks and making snap decisions based on façades. ‘So often, we see someone for their exterior and judge them immediately,’ says Ha, who is not a dating-app fan herself. ‘It’s definitely not for me,’ she laughs. ‘Maybe I’ll have my Benedict moment one day. Wouldn’t that be nice?’
Photographer: Otto Masters.
Styling: Holly Gorst.
Hair: Dayaruci at the Wall Group. Make-up: Naoko Scintu at the Wall Group. Nails: Sabrina Gayle at Arch Agency.
Look: Dress, Chanel. Gold and diamond earrings, matching ring and bangle, all Tiffany & Co.
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