You’d think after two seasons of sabotaging courtships and stoking the flames of drama, Lady Whistledown would take a well-deserved vacation. Contrary to what she probably needs for self-care — say, a good work-life balance — she has chosen the path of Gossip Girl and continues to run her newsletter tirelessly into the third season of Netflix’s Regency-era franchise, Bridgerton. Season three, part one kept tabs on an established relationship in the Shondaland-produced universe involving a young woman hopelessly in love with her best friend, who doesn’t see her as anything more. Trading yearning for jealousy never got Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) very far in her relationship with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), but now, with the specter of marriage looming, it appears something will finally come of her one-sided infatuation in part two, out June 13. Below, everything you need to know about Bridgerton’s third arc, starting with a trailer.
Doth deserve a trailer.
“Who needs fresh air when there is fresh gossip?†Lady Danbury says what we’ve all been thinking. Colin Bridgerton, having secured the baddie of the season, stepped out of that carriage and immediately updated his Tonbook status to “Betrothed.†“Here’s to truly knowing one another,†Eloise toasts the bittersweet occasion. Penelope wouldn’t be the first Bridgerton soulmate to have a secret inner world, but she might be the only one brave enough to risk love for life. Ooh, Lady Whistledown has her work cut out for her.
For you, gentle reader, a peek at the upcoming season.
Is it getting hot in here, or is it because air-conditioning hasn’t been invented yet? In a sneak-peek clip, Penelope and Colin have a steamy moment so hot they have to gulp down their drink.
The first-look images from Bridgerton season three arrived at the royal ball in Brazil. At Tudum Day 2023, star Nicola Coughlan discussed her character’s makeover to find a husband and her budding relationship with Colin. Will they fall in love or fall apart in the process? Well, it’s the formulaic rom-com Bridgerton, so we can hazard a guess. In the meantime, glimpses of Penelope from the upcoming season three as she attempts to find love while keeping her big secret.
We impart to you a cast list.
It seems the new season is straying from the order of the books and will follow the fourth novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. The first cast member presenting to the queen is Daniel Francis, who plays Marcus Anderson, a “charismatic presence who lights up any room he enters.†Joining him are Sam Phillips of The Crown as Lord Debling, a “genial lord with unusual interests†and “no shortage of interest from young ladies this season,†as well as James Phoon as Harry Dankworth, who “lacks in wit and intelligence†(their words) but charms the ladies with “serious good looks.†The current cast members celebrate their new counterparts in the video below, making the answer to “You coming in?†extremely easy.
The ton is abuzz with the promise of a release date.
Bridgerton season three is debuting in two parts, the first of which arrived May 16 and left us breathless in a carriage until part two premieres on June 13. Splitting the season in two seems irritating for us bingers, but nevertheless. Patience, after all, is a virtue.
This post has been updated.