Season 4 of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton is Luke Thompson‘s time to shine — but some viewers might find themselves distracted by the footman John playing a larger role on the show.
Higginson has been a presence in Bridgerton House since the show premiered in 2020. It wasn’t until season 2, however, that fans took a liking to the character when he kept a watchful eye over Eloise (Claudia Jessie) amid her rebellious streak.
After taking a backseat in the third season, Higginson found himself in more scenes when season 4 premiered on January 29. Based on Julia Quinn‘s novel An Offer From a Gentleman, the season follows Benedict’s (Thompson) meet-cute with a mysterious woman, who turns out to be a maid named Sophie (Yerin Ha).
Benedict isn’t privy to Sophie’s connection to the woman he falls in love with at a ball. The audience, however, learns more details about employees at various homes as season 4 shifts focus to the “downstairs” crew.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Higginson and his role as John:
What Did Oli Higginson Appear in Before ‘Bridgerton’?
After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Oli Higginson took to the stage with roles in The Last Five Years, Othello, American Psycho and more. On the small screen, Higginson was in Cursed, The Pursuit of Love, This England and Julia.
How Long Has Oli Higginson Been a Cast Member on ‘Bridgerton’?
Oli Higginson originated the role of Footman John in season 1. Viewers noticed him more in season 2 due to his scenes with Eloise, and he has continued to return to the show as an employee in the Bridgerton household.
What Role Did Oli Higginson’s Footman John Play in Season 4?
The fourth season started with John interacting more with Benedict, which paved the way to show more of the people working for the Bridgertons when Sophie came into the picture. John was a friendly face for Sophie as he — and the other employees — welcomed her in and invited her to spend time with them outside of work hours.
Bridgerton fans have watched the cast change on and off screen since the series first debuted. The historical drama, which is based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, follows the members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. When Bridgerton premiered in 2020, the show centered […]
What Does Oli Higginson Do Outside of Acting?
In addition to acting, Higginson has released music under the moniker Modern Oli.
“I see myself as an artist. I act. I write. I sing. I’m interested in exploring art and humanity through a multitude of mediums, and I want to grow in all areas of my work,” he told Nyota Magazine in November 2025. “I love being challenged, and the best way to do that is to keep trying new things, exploring new things. For as long as I live, I plan to do this as an actor, and I plan to do this as a musician too.”
What Has Oli Higginson Shared About His Personal Life?
Oli Higginson has been married to actress and musician Meaghan Martin since 2016. Martin might look familiar due to her starring role as Bianca in the TV adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You. She also appeared in the Camp Rock movies as Tess and has landed roles on House, Jessie and more.
