Dear readers, the “Polin” chapter has officially come to a close. “Bridgerton” season 3 consisted of eight episodes — which were released in two parts on Netflix — that delved into the friends-to-lovers relationship between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), the youngest Featherington daughter who is secretly Lady Whistledown. (You know, the iconic chronicler of all the tittle-tattle of the high-class London Ton, voiced by the one and only Julie Andrews). It all culminated in a 'Bridgerton' season 3 finale that moved Shonda Rhimes to tears.
Along with being the only “Bridgerton” edition so far to be split into two parts, season 3 also differed from previous installments of the show in that it diverged from the story order of Julia Quinn’s popular novel series, on which the Netflix hit is based. As on page, each season spotlights a given member of the eponymous Bridgerton family as they navigate the marriage market: the first season focused on the rollercoaster relationship between eldest Bridgerton daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), while the second followed the illicit romance between Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and his intended's sister, Kate (Simone Ashley).
Though the third of Quinn’s books puts the second son, Benedict, in the spotlight, “Bridgerton” season 3 skipped what’s on the page and went right to Colin and Penelope’s relationship from the fourth book. Packed with plenty of steaminess, here’s everything you need to know about "Bridgerton" season 3.
'Bridgerton' season 3 release date
For the first time, "Bridgerton" season 3 was split into two parts à la other top Netflix shows like "Stranger Things," "You," "Ozark" and "The Witcher." The first four episodes dropped on Thursday, May 16, with the final four installments arriving a little less than one month later on Thursday, June 13. That makes for eight episodes total, the same as its first and second seasons, though all eight eps dropped in one fell swoop for the show's previous editions.
In April 2021, Netflix announced its renewal of season 3 and season 4. At the time, Netflix VP of Global TV Bela Bajaria said, “Bridgerton swept us off our feet. The creative team, led by Shonda, knew the material and delivered a beautiful, emotional, romantic drama for our members. They have some exciting plans for the future, and we think audiences will continue to swoon for this show. We’re planning to be in the Bridgerton business for a long time to come."
'Bridgerton' season 3 trailers and clips
Netflix released an official trailer for each part of “Bridgerton” season 3. The first trailer hit YouTube and social media on April 11, 2024, and saw Penelope dealing with problems at home (the Featheringtons were driving her nuts), in her friendships (former BFF Eloise Bridgerton is busy buddying up to Cressida Cowper after that season 2 betrayal), and in her pursuit for romance. After she reveals that she’s looking for a husband, she gets help from her old friend Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) — who she just so happens to love. Along with Penelope's clearly heated connection with Colin, the season teaser also showed other suitor options, including Lord Debling (Sam Phillips), whose courtship of Pen stirred up feelings of jealousy in the Bridgerton brother.
The trailer for part two was posted to YouTube on June 3, 2024 and focused on how Penelope’s secret identity as Lady Whistledown caused a significant amount of tension in both the Bridgerton household ("Colin cannot discover my secret. Whistledown is power," Penelope worries in the trailer) and all throughout the Ton. However, all of that drama clearly didn’t mean there wasn’t any room for sultry hijinks, as the trailer offered a titillating look at that steamy mirror scene from the book.
'Bridgerton' season 3 cast
- Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington
- Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
- Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton
- Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
- Jonathan Bailey as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton
- Simone Ashley as Viscountess Kate Sharma
- Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton, the Dowager Viscountess
- Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton
- Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton
- Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
- Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
- Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington
- Harriet Cains as Philipa Featherington
- Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington
- Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper
- Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich
- Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown
- Daniel Francis as Marcus Anderson
- Sam Phillips as Lord Debling
'Bridgerton' season 3 plot synopsis
Spoiler warning: The following contains detailed information about “Bridgerton” season 3 as well as Julia Quinn's novels "An Offer From a Gentleman" and "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton."
While "Bridgerton" the series hasn't entirely followed Quinn's novels to the letter, seasons 1 and 2 did closely track the plot of her first two "Bridgerton" books, "The Duke and I" and "The Viscount Who Loved Me." Some storylines were shifted from later books, like the revelation of Lady Whistledown's identity. However, season 3 diverged from the books, drawing from the fourth book, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton," which focuses on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington.
The end of season 2 left things looking very uncertain between Colin and Penelope, as the latter heard her longtime crush mock the idea of courting her, and things are still a little icy between them when Colin returns from his travels. However, that tension melts after Penelope decides that she wants to find a husband — her mother Portia (Polly Walker) is very much on her and her sisters (Harriet Cains and Bessie Carter) to produce a Featherington heir — and Colin offers to help her. Their secret matchmaking sessions, boosted by Penelope’s no-citrus-colors-allowed makeover, are going successfully, with Pen catching the eye of Lord Debling and even receiving a marriage proposal from the gentleman.
All the while, though, Colin’s own feelings for Pen are growing, until the Bridgerton son finally reveals his love to his old friend after Queen Charlotte’s ball, leading to a very steamy encounter in a carriage and a happily accepted marriage proposal. As they plan their nuptials, things get complicated by the fact that Penelope is hiding her identity as Lady Whistledown from not only her betrothed — a fact that is fueling that still-simmering animosity with her BFF and Colin’s sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie) — but also the queen herself. After the royal puts forward a public reward to anyone with details about the identity of the gossipmonger, Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) takes credit for Pen’s work.
In episode seven, Colin heartbreakingly discovers the Whistledown secret and though he is devastated, he agrees to go forward with his marriage to Penelope. Their beginnings as newlyweds is tested when Cressida Cowper blackmails Pen for £10,000, threatening to reveal her identity as Lady Whistledown. However, Penelope publicly confesses that she herself is Whistledown at the Featherington ball in the season finale, with Queen Charlotte and the rest of the Ton forgiving the scribe. The season concludes with a flash-forward reveal of Penelope and Colin as new parents and each with a successful writing career, with Pen officially retiring the Lady Whistledown moniker to write from her new name, Penelope Bridgerton.
As for the other Bridgertons, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) announce their first pregnancy and leave for India by the season’s end to have their baby and connect to Kate’s heritage. Benedict (Luke Thompson) becomes embroiled in a passionate three-way affair with Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and her friend Paul, but breaks off a monogamous arrangement with the lady because he wants to further explore his sexuality.
Bridgerton matriarch Violet (Ruth Gemmell) meets and navigates a potential romance with Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), Lady Danbury's brother. Francesca (Hannah Dodd) also falls for a new gentleman — John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin (played by Victor Alli) — though it seems their marriage and subsequent move to John's family estate in the Highlands, Scotland at the season’s end will seemingly be complicated by Francesca’s feelings for John’s cousin, Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza). Luckily, Francesca will have her older sister Eloise with her in Scotland, as the elder Bridgerton wishes to have more adventures and see the world outside of “their tiny bubble” of the London Ton.
Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all things "Bridgerton,” but in the meantime, you can rewatch the Regency-era romantic drama on Netflix.
