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The Netflix period drama officially returns this summer with a “tantalizing” friends-to-lover trope.
Esteemed readers, this author comes bearing positively splendid news. Take note of these familiar faces returning to the Ton — the diamond in the rough will, after all, be the diamond of Bridgerton season 3.
The Netflix original series, produced by Grey’s Anatomy‘s Shonda Rhimes, follows the Bridgerton family as they navigate London’s high society and embroil themselves in scandal under the watchful eye of the mysterious gossip columnist known as Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews). To much fanfare, Shonda’s production company Shondaland confirmed both Bridgerton season 3 and 4.
Since the series is based on best-selling romance author Julia Quinn‘s eight-novel Bridgerton series, fans of the books already know the nitty-gritty details of the Bridgerton family chronicles. That said, next season’s on-screen love story will look much different than expected as showrunners skip ahead to another Bridgerton sibling’s love story with fan-favorite couples also reappearing.
Here’s everything we know about Bridgerton season 3, including the release date, cast and how to watch:
What is the release date for Bridgerton season 3?
Part One
- Episode 1: “Out of the Shadows” premieres May 16, 2024
- Episode 2: “How Bright the Moon” premieres May 16, 2024
- Episode 3: “Forces of Nature” premieres May 16, 2024
- Episode 4: “Old Friends” premieres May 16, 2024
Part Two
- Episode 5: “Tick Tock” premieres June 13, 2024
- Episode 6: “Romancing Mister Bridgerton” premieres June 13, 2024
- Episode 7: “Joining of Hands” premieres June 13, 2024
- Episode 8: “Into the Light” premieres June 13, 2024
Trailing some crumbs until then, new season 3 photos teased a slew of returning cast mates, including this season’s central pairing, Penelope and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). The Instagram caption reads: “This upcoming season all eyes are on a certain author … Although one set matters most, it seems.”
Which sibling will Bridgerton season 3 be about?
The table’s turning on Lady Whistledown … Next season skips ahead to the budding romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, which is explored in book four titled Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Hint, hint: It’s a friends-to-lovers arc.
“Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time, and I can confirm to you all that season 3 is Colin and Penelope’s love story,” Nicola revealed on May 15, 2023, at Netflix’s FYSEE Space. “I have kept that secret since two weeks into season 2. This is the first time I am saying it here.”
Though the show has traditionally followed the order of the books, Bridgerton showrunners gravitated toward shining the spotlight on Penelope and Colin next.
“I feel like, especially in the last season, there are these moments of tension between them,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Variety. “Colin walks up to the line of almost realizing that Penelope has feelings for him but doesn’t quite get there. Instead of treading water on that dynamic, we wanted to push it into their season. It really felt like the perfect moment to tee it up.”
It’s a hop and skip away from what fans thought the original focus would be for the third season of Bridgerton as the next book in the series is An Offer From a Gentleman, which explores second eldest brother Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson)’s romance with Sophie Beckett. But don’t fret Benedict stans.
“Even though we’re reversing the order of the books, I think all the people you would expect to see — Benedict, who is book three, he will be a vital part of season 3,” Jess spilled to Variety.
Is there a Bridgerton season 3 trailer?
Alas, we wait with bated breath. However, an official season 3 sneak peek dropped on Valentine’s Day to tide fans over.
In the trailer, Penelope confronts Colin about a conversation she overheard. The scene in question refers to the Bridgerton season 2 finale moment when Colin stated he’d “never dream of courting” her (ouch).
“Of course you would never court me,” Penelope tells Colin in the new clip. “I am the laughing stock of the Ton, even when I change my entire wardrobe. It just never occurred to me that you, of all people, could be so cruel.”