Dearest gentle reader, it is not long to go before the release of the highly anticipated third series of regency drama, Bridgerton.
Expect more gossip, romance, and debauchery as the ‘ton return to London for another social season, leaving their country houses to host lavish balls and parties in the hopes of marrying off their sons and daughters.
What do we know about Bridgerton season 3?
In May 2022 Derry Girls star, Galway native Nicola Coughlan, confirmed that she will be leading the third series opposite Luke Newton as the show is set to explore the love story between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton.
Headed by new showrunner Jess Brownell series three finds Penelope still at odds with Eloise (Claudia Jessie) but finally moving on from her long term crush on Colin (Luke Newton), which was a result of hearing him scoff at the idea of courting her at the end of the last series.
She decides it’s time to her turn her attention to finding a husband - ideally one who will give her enough independence to continue her secret double life as Lady Whistledown.
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Meanwhile Colin is confused about Penelope’s sudden hostility towards him and in an effort to regain her friendship offers to help her in her efforts to meet her match.
However, when his lessons in confidence and flirtation start working too well Colin must question whether his feelings for Penelope are truly platonic.
For the last year and a half, ‘Polin’ shippers have been tortured and teased as various stills and videos have been drip fed from Coughlan, Newton and Netflix. However, fans were spun into a fierce frenzy on February 1 as the first trailer for the third instalment was released.
The 50 second clip shares a sweet moment between Colin and Penelope in the Bridgertons’ sitting room.
“Your eyes, a most remarkable shade of blue,” Penelope says.
“And yet somehow, they shine even brighter when you are kind.”
Clearly on the brink of a romantic entanglement she quickly corrects herself, covering up her expression of affection by saying, “I might say something like that if you were a suitor” - which left audiences frustrated to say the least.
Coughlan also shared an additional slow-motion GIF on her Instagram, where we see Penelope and Colin looking disheveled and distressed with the caption “More coming soon”, which only added to fans’ excitement.
It took no time at all for conspiracy videos to pop up on TikTok analysing the scenes frame by frame.
One video even refers to the book Coiffures: Hair in Nineteenth-Century French Literature and Culture in an attempt to predict what is going on in the stills that have been released.
When is Bridgerton season 3 coming out?
It was announced in December 2023 that Bridgerton season 3 will be released in two parts, with the first half coming out on May 16 and the second being released on June 13. The two parts will consist of four episodes each.
It was also confirmed in April 2021 by Shondaland TV, executive producer Shonda Rhimes’s production company, that not only would Bridgerton return for a third season but also a fourth.
Should I watch Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story before Bridgerton season 3 comes out?
In May 2023 Netflix released a Bridgerton prequel that followed the love story between a young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and King George (Corey Mylchreest).
Similar to Bridgerton, the spinoff was steamy, dramatic and also heartbreaking in places. Proving hugely successful the series was listed in Netflix’s top 10 most popular English-language TV shows up until recently when it was overtaken by Harlan Coben’s Fool Me Once.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is the ideal watch if you cannot wait for your next Bridgerton binge.
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Will Bridgerton Season three follow the same story as Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series?
Those who have devoured the Bridgerton book series will know that it is not until the fourth book that Colin and Penelope’s relationship takes centre stage in Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
However, creators of the show felt that it made more sense to focus on their relationship in season three. Therefore the show will still be based on the books but out of order.
Although, Rhimes has assured audiences that every Bridgerton will eventually have a love story.
Will the original Bridgerton cast return for season 3?
Coughlan and Newton will be reunited with many of their previous cast members for the third series, including fan favourites; Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Simone Ashly (Kate Sharma), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) and, of course, Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown.
However, one of the younger Bridgerton siblings, Francesca, has been recast due to a scheduling issue. Hannah Dodd will replace Ruby Stokes in the role.
Phoebe Dynevor who starred as Daphne in the first season has also confirmed she will not appear in season 3.
Rege-Jean Page who played the dashing Duke of Hastings in the first instalment did not reprise his role for the second series and it has been confirmed he will not return for season 3 either.
