Based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, Netflix’s hugely popular Regency-era show follows the fictional Bridgerton siblings and (so far) details their love stories. Season 3 will be the first not to follow the order of Quinn’s novels, twirling past the third book about Colin’s brother Benedict to focus on the fourth. (But that doesn’t mean the show won’t get to Benedict eventually.) Whereas last season told Anthony and Kate’s enemies-to-lovers saga, this season could potentially push Polin from close pals to something more.
Season 3 is a two-parter with release dates in May and June. Bridgerton will return for season 4, but here’s what you need to know about the next sure-to-be-swoon-worthy season of the show.
When does the new season drop?
Grab a quill (or a more contemporary writing utensil) because you need to jot down two release dates for Bridgerton’s third season.
The first date, marking the release of the first four episodes, is May 16, and the remaining four eps arrive on June 13. You’ll be able to watch the new drops beginning at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT.
Here are all the episodes in the two-part season:
Episode 1 – Out of the Shadows
Episode 2 – How Bright the Moon
Episode 3 – Forces of Nature
Episode 4 – Old Friends
Episode 5 – Tick Tock
Episode 6 – Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Episode 7 – Joining of Hands
Episode 8 – Into the Light
What can I expect this season?
Bridgerton is set in London in the early 1800s (well, a fantasy version) and has rotated between the romances of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset/the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Now, Colin (Luke Newton), the third Bridgerton son, and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), the third Featherington daughter, are finally the main characters, and audiences will find out “how (or if…)” they go from friends to lovers, according to Netflix.
In addition to friendship, hidden feelings have been part of Polin’s journey so far. Season 3 showrunner Jess Brownell told Entertainment Weekly that setup made it the right time to have Polin’s season. “We’ve spent two seasons really getting to know Penn and Colin. We’ve been watching Penn’s crush and seeing how oblivious Colin is to it. That’s a dynamic that you can only play out for so long before something has to change,” Brownell told the magazine.
I’m hoping this scene makes it into the initial episode drop.
“Meanwhile,” according to Netflix, “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.”
Who’s in the cast
In addition to Newton, Coughlan, Jessie, Ashley and Bailey, the season 3 returning cast includes Luke Thompson as Benedict, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton, Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley, Harriet Cains as Philipa Featherington, Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington, Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper, Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton, Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich, Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton, Polly Walker as Portia Featherington and Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown.
Hannah Dodd is taking over as Francesca Bridgerton, and other new cast members include Daniel Francis as Marcus Anderson, James Phoon as Harry Dankworth and Sam Phillips as Lord Debling, Pen’s suitor. Page, who starred in season 1 alongside Dynevor, confirmed via Instagram that he won’t be in this season, and the same might apply to Dynevor, who told Screenrant she’s “just excited to watch (season 3) as a viewer.”
