Bridgerton season three has been on our minds since we binge-watched the second season in one sitting back in March last year.
Considering this is Netflix's biggest series ever, it's hardly surprising we are clutching our pearls for all the chaos Lady Whistledown is still due to deliver. And the world of the Ton is certainly set to be rocked as the third season is set to stray from the order of author Julia Quinn's eight books, which the Shonda Rhimes' produced series is based upon.
The third season, which wrapped filming in March (yay!), will be based on the blossoming romance between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) while also focusing on the honeymoon phase of Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton's romance. Swoon!
So, if you want to know more about Bridgerton's upcoming third season, read ahead…
What’s the plot for Bridgerton season 3?
There are eight Bridgerton siblings and eight novels. So far, we've seen the story of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), and the second series follows the eldest sibling, Lord Anthony Bridgerton (played by Jonathan Bailey) – so going by Quinn's books, the third should follow second-eldest sibling Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson). But hold your horses! We have confirmation that season three will actually follow the blossoming love story between Polin, AKA Penelope and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).
The synopsis for season three reads: "From Shondaland and new showrunner, Jess Brownell, Bridgerton is back for its third season and finds Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after hearing his disparaging words about her last season.
"She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters. But lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly.
"Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder. Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly.
“Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.”
How will Bridgerton season 3 differ from the book?
Well, it won't follow the story of the third book, An Offer from a Gentleman – it will instead be based around the fourth book, which is called Romancing Mr Bridgerton. Eek.
The novel's synopsis goes something like this: "Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
“Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?” We officially can't wait!
How will Kathony's relationship develop?
While Penelope and Colin's story is set to take centre stage in the third season, we will still see how Kate and Anthony's romance from season two develops.
Sex Education star Simone Ashley recently opened up in an interview with British Vogue about her character Kate's character development and what we can expect from the new Viscountess after season two's intense storyline and romantic conclusion.
“We’re filming a dance this week, and tonally, it’s so different – sweet, endearing and light, compared to the heaviness of their story last season,” she explained. When it comes to Kate's new role in high society, she says we're going to see more vulnerability than last season.
“Even though she comes across as fierce, people like that are sometimes the softest on the inside. They develop that skin because they’re vulnerable. You see her insecurities and fears. She’s f**king nervous, and I think there’s strength in admitting that.”
Simone added to ELLE.com: “I think you're going to see a much more softer side [to Kate] coming this season. She's going to be quite content with her husband."
Who’s in the cast for Bridgerton season 3?
We have three glorious new faces joining the cast:
Daniel Francis (prev. Small Axe, Stay Close) will play Marcus Anderson: “A charismatic presence who lights up any room he enters, attracting the notice of certain matriarchs in the ton -- and the ire of others.”
Sam Phillips (prev. The Crown) plays Lord Debling: “A genial lord with unusual interests. But with wealth and a noble title to back up his eccentricities, he'll have no shortage of interest from young ladies this season.”
James Phoon (prev. Wreck) plays Harry Dankworth: “What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence, he more than makes up for with serious good looks.” Simone and Jonathan Bailey will reprise their roles.
Meanwhile, there were also reports that Regé-Jean Page, who took on the role of Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings, in the first season, would be making his return for season three, but it was too good to be true!
Regé-Jean quickly rubbished those claims as he shared a snap of him alongside Bridgerton's S2 lead, Jonathan. “The boys are back in town,” he wrote in the caption, adding: "No, I’m not going back to the show btw.”
What’s the Bridgerton season 3 release date, and is there a trailer?
Netflix has yet to confirm a release date for season three, and we still don't have a trailer, but we shouldn't have to wait too long as filming for the third season wrapped in March. Watch this space!
This article was originally published on Glamour UK.
