Season two of Bridgerton may still be top of our minds (hello shirtless Viscount Anthony), but we’re already thinking about what fresh gossip (ahem, we mean polite drama) the third season could entail.
We already have early indications as to what we can expect following the first two seasons’, which centred on Daphne and Anthony Bridgerton. You’ll no doubt be aware that the series is based on the best-selling novels by Julia Quinn, with the first and second season covering books one and two. But that barely scrapes the surface of the nine-part series, which focuses on one Bridgerton sibling at a time as they search for love.
Luckily for us, the show has given us a sneak peak at the new season, which will follow Colin Bridgerton and his relationship with Penelope Featherington.
Read on for everything we know about the third season, and those new photos.
Which Bridgerton sibling will season three be based on?
While the first and second season followed the formats laid out in the the books by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton season three will be taking a slightly different approach, as confirmed by Variety.
It was expected the new season will follow Benedict Bridgerton, the second eldest sibling of the Bridgerton family, and his attempt to find love, however Netflix has instead chosen to focus on the plot line of the fourth book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
The upcoming episodes will instead chart the budding romance of Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton.
Fans know all too well that their love story deserves just as much air time as that of Daphne’s and The Duke, or Anthony and his new Viscountess Kate Sharma, so we’re thrilled to know that TV treatment of their relationship is coming sooner than expected.
Of course, the final episode of Season two saw Penelope overhearing Colin saying that he will never marry her, so we can expect all the trials and tribulations of a young woman vying for her suitors attention during the regency era to be laid bare.
As we know, Bridgerton season two copped some backlash over the alleged lack of steaminess. When asked whether season three will be overtly sexy or more of a slow burn, Coughlan told fans at Netflix’s Tudum fan event, “Expect more, I think it’s extremely spicy.”
She also revealed how it felt to film those spicier scenes with Newton, “it was terrifying, I won’t lie. I was so intimidated by the thought of it but doing it with a friend was really, really great because it gave me that level of comfort but then also made it more scary to begin with because if you have film a kiss with your friend.”
“You literally have to have a practice kiss, under supervision, there was someone there, we had to do that before shooting any of the scenes and that was quite terrifying but in the end, it made it way better.”
When did Bridgerton season three begin filming?
In an exclusive interview with marie claire Australia in March 2022, Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington confirmed Bridgerton season three would begin filming in the British summer of 2022.
“We’re going to start filming this summer, I know that much,” Coughlan told us, adding: “I’ve kind of avoided asking much about it yet because I really wanted [season two] to come out and be out in the world and celebrate it.”
“Next week I’m going to have a call with Jess Brownell who is the season three showrunner and I’ll ask my questions—but I’ve held back thus far!” She said.
In July 2022, Netflix confirmed filming was all-go. In a clip shared across the show’s social channels, the cast are seen in various places holding up three fingers. The end of the clip lands on Coughlan and Luke Newtown (who plays Colin) in a carriage.
“Bridgerton season three filming has officially begun,” Coughlan says, adding to Newtown, “You coming in?”
The first look at ‘Bridgerton’ season three
Luckily for us, Netflix has provided us with the following stills of season three.
When will Bridgerton season three be released?
Despite filming being well underway, there has been a disruption to season three’s production as of January 2023 due to a “dark” storyline which the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes wasn’t happy with.
According to the MailOnline, Rhimes wasn’t happy with “some elements”, so she made the call to change them.
The source added: “One thing is for sure though, the production team want to get it right for Bridgerton fans so they enjoy it as much as they have in the past.”
Hopefully these changes won’t take too long and we can still hope to see the show hit screens sometime in 2023.
In the meantime, you’ll find us devouring Bridgerton spin-off series, Queen Charlotte.
Which cast members will appear in ‘Bridgerton’ season three?
Along with Coughlan whose role also doubles as the gossip-mogul Lady Whistledown, we’ll likely see Phoebe Dynevor reprise her role as Daphne Bridgerton alongside her on-screen siblings Claudia Jessie (Eloise), Luke Newton (Colin), newcomer Hannah Dodd (Francesca), Will Tilston (Gregory) and Florence Hunt (Hyacinth).
Expect to see Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), and Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) also join.
As for our beloved Viscount and Viscountess, Kate and Anthony, it’s been confirmed that they will be back in the next season.
Speaking to Deadline, Simone Ashley revealed that she and Jonathan Bailey will be returning to their characters, who will be actively exploring life as the heads of their household.
“We’re going to be back! Kate and Anthony are just getting started,” Ashley revealed to the publication.
“I’d like to see Kate just let go a bit more and play more,” she said, adding, “I think they both deserve it”.
As for Charithra Chandran (Edwina Sharma), we hope that she’ll be re-joining in season three’s cast, though nothing has been confirmed just yet.
