To celebrate the ultra-sexy, lavish third season of Bridgerton, Netflix and Shondaland hosted a fan event releasing news about the upcoming season that premieres in two parts on May 16 and June 13, 2024.
The panel included executive producer Shonda Rhimes, season three showrunner Jess Brownell, author of the original Bridgerton novels, Julia Quinn, and cast members Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, and Martins Imhangbe.
The panel unveiled episode titles, exclusive character photos, confirmation of book-to-episode adaptations, a surprise fan wedding announcement, and a sneak peek of the season premiere.
The panel began with a conversation between Shonda Rhimes and Jess Brownell about what fans can anticipate for season three, along with insights from author Julia Quinn on the adaptation of the source material. They confirmed the fan-favorite moment in the novel, “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton,” where Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) wraps Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) hand after he accidentally cuts it, will be included.
Jess Brownell then unveiled episode titles that teased the season’s story arc, which can be found below.
“Usually, we’re meeting a new person who’s falling in love with one of our regulars,” said Shonda Rhimes when asked about what excites her most this season. “But this time, we know the people who are falling in love. We’re already rooting for them because we already know them, and I’m excited for that.”
“Colin and Penelope are underdogs in many ways…we get to see these characters step into their power this year, which I think will make a lot of people who have ever had an unrequited crush or felt like an underdog before feel very seen,” said Jess Brownell.
Next, Rhimes, Brownell, and Quinn were joined by the cast to tease their characters’ arcs for the season and introduced a strong new suitor for Coughlan’s Penelope – Lord Debling (Sam Phillips).
Fans were also rewarded with photos from the forthcoming season of their favorite characters, including Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe), Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) and the Featherington sisters Prudence Featherington (Bessie Carter) and Philipa Featherington (Harriet Cains).
In a delightful twist, Adjoa Andoh and Golda Rosheuvel revealed Netflix will be celebrating the love of fans by rewarding one super-fan couple with a Bridgerton-themed wedding, further solidifying the bond shared between the series and its’ dedicated fan base. More details on this delightful surprise can be found on Tudum.
To conclude the event, Netflix revealed a one-minute clip from the upcoming season, giving attendees a first look at footage from the season and a taste of what’s to come.
Bridgerton is back for its third season and finds Penelope Featherington has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton after hearing his disparaging words about her last season. She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters.
But lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly. Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger.
But he’s disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder.
Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly.
Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise, who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the town makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.