Bridgerton has captivated the world's imagination and has had viewers daydream about house dresses, jeweled tiaras, ribbon chokers, and feather-trimmed heels for the past two years. Luckily for fans, Lady Whistledown is set to return to more scandal, gossip and intrigue that will have the ton clenching their pearls in the upcoming Bridgerton Season 3.
Years in the making, the imminent installment will center on the dramatic ups and downs of Miss Penelope Featherington and Mr. Colin Bridgerton’s love story. Bridgerton Season 3 will also reportedly reflect the storyline of Julia Quinn’s Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the fourth novel in the series, but followers must not expect the third season to be very similar to the material.
Viewers responded enthusiastically to Season 2, despite arguably fewer steamy sex sequences and the absence of Page, also known as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. Followers of the show have since been left in mourning after binge-watching Season 2, and they are now anticipating a third installment. As fans await for more details, here is everything we know about the upcoming Bridgerton Season 3.
The third season also marks the beginning of Jess Brownell's role as showrunner, taking over from Chris Van Dusen, who served in the position for the first two seasons. Brownell worked on various episodes in the first two seasons and also wrote other Shondaland shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal.
"As we continue to expand the world of Bridgerton, we now have the opportunity to devote even more of the Shondaland fold to the Bridgerton-verse," Shondaland boss Shonda Rhimes said. "We've worked with Jess Brownell for over a decade and have long wanted to find the right project to place in her hands. When it came time to pass the baton, I knew this unique voice was vital to the future of the show."
Bridgerton Season 3 Potential Release Date: When will it be available on Netflix?
In December 2023, Netflix confirmed that Bridgerton Season 3 will be split into two parts, with the first part releasing on May 16, 2024, and Part 2 releasing on June 13, 2024. The release dates were announced along with a new video, which you can watch in the trailer section in this article.
Bridgerton Season 3 Cast: Who are the actors included in the upcoming season?
There will be notable changes to the series’ large ensemble cast, although some familiar characters will remain. The preponderance of the Bridgerton siblings will return to the manor for Bridgerton Season 3, as their return has been confirmed.
Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson and Luke Newton are set to return in Bridgerton Season 3 as Eloise, Benedict and Colin, respectively. Jonathan Bailey will reprise his role as the eldest Bridgerton, the 9th Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, alongside Simone Ashley as his new wife, the Viscountess Kate Bridgerton (née Sharma).
Nicola Coughlan will also make a comeback as the delightful and devious Penelope Featherington, also known as Lady Whistledown, in Bridgerton Season 3, alongside Harriet Cains as Phillipa Featherington, Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington and Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington. Ruth Gemmell, Golda Rosheuvel and Adjoa Andoh also return to reprise their roles as Violet Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury, respectively.
Unfortunately, it has been divulged that Daphne, the Duchess of Hastings, will not return for Bridgerton Season 3. Phoebe Dynevor, who played the leading lady in Season 1, shared the sad news in January after being asked what fans can expect from Daphne in the forthcoming third installment. She opined:
"Sadly not in season 3. Potentially in the future. But season 3, I'm just excited to watch as a viewer."
Meanwhile, Enola Holmes 2 actress Hannah Dodd will replace Ruby Stokes as the elusive Francesca Bridgerton in Bridgerton Season 3. It was also announced in July 2022 that three more actors were brought into the cast list, presumable playing a few of Penelope’s new suitors. James Phoon will portray Harry Dankworth, The Crown actor Sam Phillips will portray Lord Debling, and Once Upon a Time star Daniel Francis will play Marcus Anderson. On the other hand, Maleficent actress Hannah New has been cast as Lady Tilley Arnold, a wealthy widow who cherishes her freedom and independence.
Bridgerton Season 3 Plot: What is the upcoming season about?
Nicola Coughlan ignited the Ton when she verified in May 2022 that Bridgerton Season 3 would not adhere to the timeline of the book collection. While the third book in the series, An Offer From a Gentleman, concentrates on the second Bridgerton brother, Benedict, the fourth book in the series, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, bypasses him. As per Collider, the official synopsis for the imminent third installment 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.”
To recall, Penelope Featherington resolves to remove Colin Bridgerton from the pedestal she placed him on after she overhears him denigrating her in front of a group of giggling partygoers. Nicola Coughlan said to Tudum:
"I’m interested to see where we find her when the season opens and how her relationship with Colin has shifted in a massive way. When someone says something like that about you, loudly, and humiliates you, it’s going to have such an effect.”
There will also be scenes of Kanthony entering their "honeymoon phase" and enjoying life "post-marriage" without the anguish of Season 2. In Bridgerton Season 3, Kate will display a much more vulnerable side. Simone Ashley said:
“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 fucking nervous, and I think there’s strength in admitting that."
Bridgerton Season 3 Trailer: Is there a teaser for the next season?
Netflix released a release date announcement video for Bridgerton Season 3 in December 2023, which you can watch below:
Expect Netflix to release more trailers as we get closer to Bridgerton Season 3's premiere in May 2024.
