Bridgerton has been officially renewed for a third and fourth season. Filming for the third season is currently underway, and recently, Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington in the Bridgerton universe, spilt the tea on certain events in season three at a TUDUM event.
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 program in a new direction. The third season will be based on Quinn’s fourth novel, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, disrupting the chronology.
The upcoming third season will be based on Penelope Featherington’s budding relationship with Colin Bridgerton, as confirmed by Nicola Coughlan’s Instagram post months back.
With producer Shonda Rhimes having promised an eight-season run, the third season will see most of the cast return, including fan favourites including Jonathan Bailey, Phoebe Dynevor, Simone Ashley, Claudia Jess, Luke Thompson, and Florence Hunt.
With the third season on its way, here are five things we are dying to witness in Bridgerton season three:
Five things we want to see in ‘Bridgerton’ season 3
How Penelope and Colin’s friendship began
Bridgerton begins with Colin and Penelope being good friends and Penelope already being head over heels in love with the wayward Bridgerton brother. However, viewers would surely appreciate it if the showrunners decided to incorporate a quick flashback scene involving their first meeting.
The prologue of Quinn’s novel details their first encounter. Although the scene is not too romantic, Colin is Penelope’s love-at-first sight and this scene would be a good way of establishing the several obstacles the duo surmount before uniting. After all, who does not enjoy a classic friends-to-lovers tale?
Eloise and Penelope making up
Penelope and Eloise are best friends in the series who are trying to uncover the true identity of Lady Whistledown. Towards the end of season two, Eloise Bridgerton finally figures out the identity of Lady Whistledown. Eloise feels betrayed, and they have a big fight which breaks the viewers’ hearts. There seems to be no room for reconciliation.
However, actresses Claudia Jessie and Nicola Coughlan have assured fans that the duo will make up in season three, albeit with some plot twists and misunderstandings. Coughlan said, “Eloise admires and has admired Lady Whistledown for so long. She’ll probably end up being a bit impressed with her best friend. However, I do think it’s going to take time and effort, because the levels of betrayal are so big.” We would love to see the duo get back together and present more joy and laughter.
Colin realising his feelings for Penelope and proposing marriage
Penelope is heartbroken in season two when she realizes that Colin would never see her “that way” and considers her merely his younger sister’s friend. However, according to Quinn’s novel, Colin will realize his feelings for Penelope fairly soon. When he decides to marry Penelope, the book has a scene that must be replicated in the show.
Penelope has always been the runt of the litter since she does not fit into the conventional beauty standards. Thus, when Colin arrives to the Featheringtons with a marriage proposition, Portia assumes it is for Felicity. After a series of mishaps, when Colin finally makes his intentions known, the confusion and shock in the Featherington women might make for a chaotic and satisfactory scene.
Colin stumbling upon Penelope’s secret identity
Season two ends with Eloise Bridgerton stumbling upon Penelope’s identity as Lady Whistledown. This strays away from the original plot of Quinn’s novels, where it is not until the fourth book, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, that Penelope’s secret is discovered and by Colin, nonetheless. The two argue, kiss, and soon, the latter grows exceedingly protective over his lover.
It will be intriguing to see how Colin discovers the secret in season three. Will Eloise tell him or will he find out on his own? Will he confront Penelope? Will they argue and finally kiss? Will that lead to the subsequent proposal? Only time will tell.
Penelope and Lady Danbury’s shenanigans from the book
Penelope Featherington is seemingly lost in Quinn’s novel. She cannot find a husband, and all the odds seem to be against her. However, Lady Danbury is taken in by her spunk and energy and vows to find her someone. Penelope’s wit, presence of mind and outspokenness impresses Lady Danbury, who begins to bond with the younger woman.
Lady Danbury and Penelope are both extremely intriguing characters who will form a powerful duo if seen together on screen. We would love to see strong women unite against the forces of patriarchy and have some fun (before ironically giving in, however).
