Netflix previously delighted fans when it renewed Bridgerton for a third and fourth season. Now, an interesting tidbit of information regarding the upcoming season has been delivered by Lady Whistledown herself, who says it will focus on Penelope Featherington’s budding relationship with Colin Bridgerton.
The series, which is based on Julia Quinn’s eponymous novel series, Bridgerton, has previously focused on the romantic pursuits of the titular Bridgerton family siblings. However, the third season looks set to take the programme in a new direction.
The first season documented the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne’s sizzling romance with the Duke of Hastings. Meanwhile, the second season was filled with passionate yearning and forbidden glances shared by the fiery kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest sibling.
Interestingly, the third season was initially speculated to focus on the second Bridgerton brother, Benedict and his affair with the yet-to-be-cast Sophie Beckett. However, following Quinn’s third novel, An Offer From a Gentleman, the creators are aware of which characters struck a chord with the audience, seemingly altering their decision-making.
Instead, they are focusing on Penelope and Colin’s friendship that will later develop into a romantic relationship despite it not appearing until Quinn’s fourth book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
While Colin does not seem to return Penelope’s feelings, it will be fascinating to see how the showrunners build their relationship over the episodes. Especially given the tumultuous nature of her relationship with her best friend, Eloise (also Colin’s younger sister), after the latter discovered Penelope was Lady Whistledown.
Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope, took to Instagram to share the exciting news of her set to romance Luke Newton’s Colin Bridgerton in the third season and shared a monochromatic picture of the duo.
While Shonda Rhimes has promised an eight-season show, the third and fourth seasons are currently in production. The third season will also see Ruby Stokes quitting the show due to scheduling conflicts and Anatomy of a Scandal star Hannah Dodd taking over the role of Francesca Bridgerton.
The third season will see most of the cast return, including favourites including Jonathan Bailey, Phoebe Dynevor, Simone Ashley, Claudia Jess, Luke Thompson, and Florence Hunt.
Take a look at Coughlan’s post below.