Dearest readers, Bridgerton Season 3 has finally been released!
And so, here’s everything you need to know…
When is Bridgerton Season 3 coming out?
The third season of Bridgerton was released in two parts. The first four episodes were released on May 16, 2024 and the remaining four were released on June 13, 2024.
RELATED: Bridgerton stars Nicola Coughlan & Luke Newton discuss the upcoming season
Who will Season 3 of Bridgerton be about?
Season 3 focused on the friendship between Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton, and Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan turning into a romance…
Recap of Season 3 Part 1:
Penelope became determined to find a suitor and so, a wonderful makeover transpired. Gone are the tacky yellow and bright orange gowns, Miss Featherington now looks incredibly sophisticated in emerald greens and soft blues.
Penelope also quickly made up with Colin (who she overheard saying he’d never court her in Season 2) and he agreed to help her find a suitor. However, after Penelope is humilated by others in the Ton calling her a spinster – and she publishes a Lady Whistledown column criticising herself for thinking she could achieve a match with Colin’s help – she begs Colin to kiss her so she doesn’t die without knowing what kissing feels like.
But this kiss made Colin realise he has feelings for Penelope. But it’s too late! By this time, Lord Debling has shown an interest in Penelope. In fact, he is about to prosose to her while they are dancing at Queen Charlotte’s party. But Colin cuts in, leading Lord Debling to abandon the propsoal.
Furious, Penelope leaves the party. But Colin follows her into the carriage and confesses he now loves her. Then, an incredibly steamy encounter takes place between the two while still in the carriage, and Colin ends up proposing to Penelope.
Other things of importance that happened in Season 3 Part 1 include: Eloise became friends with Cressida, Violet Bridgerton became smitten with Lady Danbury’s brother Lord Anderson, Naomi and Will Mondrich tried to adjust to their newfound wealth and status, and Prudence Featherington fell pregnant.
Recap of Season 3 Part 2:
In Part 2, everyone is thrilled that Colin and Penelope are engaged. However, Eloise threatens to tell Colin that Penelope is Lady Whistledown if she doesn’t do it herself.
But before Penelope gets a chance to, Cressida claims to the Ton that she is Lady Whistledown in an attempt to get the £5,000 reward Queen Charlotte has offered for the unmasking of the gossip columnist.
Penelope is furious that Cressida has taken credit for her work; she ends up writing a column that will prove Cressida is lying. But as she leaves the print shop, Colin catches her and figures out she is the Ton’s secret gossip.
Devastated, Colin says he’ll still marry Penelope but will never forgive her. And while he thaws during their wedding vows and the two share a wonderful kiss, he becomes sleep-on-the-couch cranky with Penelope when Cressida blackmails the Bridgerton family – Cressida discovers Penelope is Lady Whistledown and wants £10,000 in exchange for keeping the secret.
Ultimately, Penelope decides not to pay Cressida and instead outs herself to the Ton. Queen Charlotte forgives her and says she rather enjoys a good piece of gossip. Afterwards, Penelope offers Colin an annulment but he refuses and apologises for his iciness; he was jealous of her success as Lady Whistledown.
The two finally reconcile and consummate their marriage. In a flash forward, Penelope and Colin have welcomed a baby boy, Colin has published a book with Penelope’s help and Penelope has continued writing her column but now it’s under her own name.
Other things of note that happened in Part 2 included Hyacinth Bridgerton marrying John Stirling, Benedict Bridgerton exploring his bisexuality (he had a threesome with Lady Tilley Arnold and Paul Suarez), Violet striking up a friendship with Marcus Anderson and Cressida leaving town with her aunt Joanna.
Will Daphne and Simon be in Season 3 of Bridgerton?
No, neither Daphne nor Simon were in Season 3. Regé-Jean Page, who played Simon in Season 1, decided not to return for subsequent seasons of Bridgerton, stating that he felt his character’s story was complete.
“I signed up to do a job and I did the job,” Regé-Jean told Vanity Fair.
As a result, Phoebe Dynevor, who played Daphne, had a much smaller role in Season 2 than her character had in the book series Bridgerton is based on.
But the actress revealed that while she didn’t she appear at all in Season 3, she’s open to returning for other seasons.
“Sadly not in Season 3. Potentially in the future,” Phoebe told Screen Rant.
