Positive Affirmations From Queer Eye’s Fab Five

Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek

Meet your newest 2026 obsession — and Benedict Bridgerton’s season 4 love interest (and, sadly, a victim of tragic circumstances), Yerin Ha. Ha will play Sophie Baek, or known to Benedict as the Lady in Silver.

Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton

Luke Thompson will once again portray the bubbly Benedict Bridgerton as our lead for season 4, where the fairytale begins.

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton

He's loyalty in every form, Jonathan Bailey will reprise his role as Anthony Bridgerton in season 4. Fortunately for everyone — and I mean everyone — in the interim we were able to see Bailey grace our screens in Wicked, so this wait doesn’t hurt too much.

Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton

Claudia Jessie returns as Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth Bridgerton child and second daughter known for being strong willed and independent in her own right (go Eloise!).

Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton

Will Tilston is coming back in full swing as his character Gregory Bridgerton, the younger brother we’re all thankful we don’t have! In all seriousness, it’s always cute to see the good ol’ Gregory and Hyacinth banter from time to time.

Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton

Florence Hunt returns as Hyacinth Bridgerton, undoubtedly the most outspoken of the Bridgerton bunch.

Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton

I found it perfectly fitting to place Violet Bridgerton, played by Ruth Gemmell, right under Lord Marcus Anderson, wink, wink!

Hannah Dodd as Francesca Stirling

Francesca Stirling, the sixth Bridgerton progeny, will be played by the one and only Hannah Dodd. On paper, Dodd’s Francesca doesn’t have the happily ever after she experiences in season 3 for long, but now that we’ve met Michaela Stirling, I’m holding out hope the writers will flip the script in season 4 – for Francesca’s sake.

Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton

Ah, Colin Bridgerton, the (fictional) man that you are. Needless to say, Luke Newton will return as Colin Bridgerton in season 4, although I’m not sure he’ll ever one-up his season 3 performance, because who doesn’t fall in love with an iconic friends-to-lover storyline?

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton

Of course, Nicola Coughlan is returning as Penelope Bridgerton. The woman who is far too much like me — and who’s also a (not-so-secret) gossip columnist in her free time — is of course coming back. All jokes aside, Penelope stole the show, no pun intended, in season 3 and has quite the story line to pick back up in season 4.

Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling

The incredible Masali Baduza is the chosen one to portray the gender-swapped Michaela Stirling in season 4. We got a short and sweet glimpse of Michaela at the tail end of season 3, but she’s definitely here to stay!

Victor Alli as John Stirling

Victor Alli returns as Francesca's first husband and Michaela Stirling's cousin, John Stirling.

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury

Adjoa Andoh will return as Lady Danbury in the fourth season. We certainly saw more of Adjoa, deservedly so, as the quick-witted Lady Danbury was a more central role in the series’ third season.

Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown

The ever so cherished and brilliantly talented Julie Andrews is making her way back for season 4 to voice the infamous Lady Whistledown. Even though Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope took over voicing the role, showrunner Jess Brownell told Glamour that, “We’re playing around in season 4 with ways that we can explain why it’s still Julie Andrews. I think it’s just—it’s in Penelope’s head the way she officially reads it to herself as she writes.”

Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley

Lorraine Ashbourne will star as Mrs. Varley. The sharp-tongued Featherington family housekeeper will return, (hopefully) continuing to offer unwavering support to the family and comedic relief for fans, including myself.

Daniel Francis as Lord Marcus Anderson

Daniel Francis plays Marcus Anderson, the estranged brother of Agatha Danbury. Here's to seeing what's next for Lord Marcus and Violet...

Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich

The character who some fans consider to be the most noble of them all, Martins Imhangbe returns as Will Mondrich.

Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun

Sound the alarm, we have a new cast member for you and her name is Lady Araminta Gun, who will be played by Harry Potterstar, Katie Leung. Twice-married & twice-widowed with two daughters in tow, Araminta is a rather blunt woman who doesn’t respond well to anyone who stands in her way.

Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li

Michelle Mao stars as Rosamund Li. Beautiful, vain, and eager to please her mother, Rosamund is Araminta’s eldest daughter. Thankfully for her mother — and not so thankfully for Sophie Baek — Rosamund narrows in her sights on Benedict Bridgerton this upcoming season.

Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich

An outspoken woman after my own heart, Emma Naomi returns as Alice Mondrich, the not-so-subtlewife of Will Mondrich.

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte

Golda Rosheuvel stars as Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton season 4, and hopefully for a long time as fans speculate an impending death for her character, given the real-life timeline. Again, let’s hope they rewrite history here.

Hugh Sachs as Brimsley

Hugh Sachs will return as the Queen’s right hand man, Brimsley. Who doesn’t love this endearing man?

Polly Walker as Portia Featherington

Every story needs a nuanced mother and daughter relationship as it’s the gift that keeps on giving, or in this case, the story that keeps on giving. Polly Walker always, and will continue to, deliver in her performance as Portia Featherington.

Isabella Wei as Posy Li

I’m very excited for this new cast member, Posy Li, who will be played by Isabella Wei. Posy is Rosamund’s younger, chatty sister. Though, said chattiness often has her putting her foot in her mouth. I can only imagine the scenarios she’ll get her family into, and all I have to say is yes, please!

Lane deserved better after a life of seeking independence

Throughout Lane's formative teenage years, she was forced to hide her true identity and interests in order to appease her mother. From hiding CDs in her floorboards and changing her clothes when she got to school, Lane was under a lot of pressure to keep her mom happy, while still trying to figure out who she was. Her mother even kicked her out after finding out about her "secret life," causing Lane to have to move into Rory's dorm. Rory, on the other hand, had a mother who supported her every dream and who she could be fully herself with.

I'm not sure why only one of these two besties got to live out their dreams, but if it did have to play out this way, it should have been Lane Kim. Given how difficult her upbringing was, couldn't the show have given her a win by having *her* be the one who gets to follow her dreams?

Lane's love life is lackluster

Once again, the show propped up Rory and gave her not one, not two, but three love interests. Whether or not you love all three of them, we can all admit that each boyfriend was compatible with Rory in their own way, and helped her learn and grow. Lane, however, did not get this. Her first boyfriend, Dave, is great. He's kind and sweet and understanding of her family situation, but the show breaks them up because they can't handle being long-distance. (Technically, we know actor Adam Brody had to leave for The O.C. but where is the justice??!)

After Dave, it all goes downhill from there for poor Lane. She ends up with Zack, who isn't bad but isn't great. And, as soon as Lane is finally getting to pursue her passion by going on tour with her band, she finds out she and Zack are pregnant. Considering how long Lane dreamed of getting to be her authentic herself and openly express her interests, it feels cruel that this twist of fate took it away from her at this exact moment.

Lane made the best of her situation

Despite Rory having almost every opportunity available to her, we find out in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life that she is making bad decisions (like, er, sleeping with an engaged man) and is struggling to find her way. Lane, on the other hand, has made the best out of the cards she's been dealt. She's still married to Zack, is taking care of her twins, and has even kept music in her life by joining a band. I can't help but think if Lane can forge ahead despite all of her unfortunate circumstances, how fantastic could her life have been if the writers had served her just a little bit more good fortune?

Lane could have served as the role model so many girls needed

Lane's experience mirrors many Asian-American girls' lives. She had a strict upbringing and struggled to strike a balance between fitting in with her American peers and forming her own identity, while still trying to manage her mother's expectations of who she should be. As an Asian-American, Lane's experiences mirrored many of my own, and, at a time when there was such little Asian representation, this was extremely impactful.

With the lack of representation at the time, it was even more important that Lane was dealt an ending that she and her viewers could be proud of. Instead of turning her into somewhat of a cautionary tale, her story could have been utilized to empower an audience of individuals who saw themselves in her. For that reason, Lane's treatment on Gilmore Girls will never quite sit right with me.

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"