'Bridgerton' Season 3 Will Officially Arrive on Netflix Next Spring

Dearest gentle readers, to steal a line from Lady Whistledown, the social season is upon us. Well, almost. Get ready to pack up your scandal sheets and head back to the 'ton because Netflix's megapopular period romance series Bridgerton has officially set a date with our collective screens next Spring.   

The long-awaited third season will debut in May of 2024, just a little over two years after the series' second outing aired. Of course, we had the prequel series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story to help tide us over during the hiatus, but given everything we know is pending in the upcoming Season 3, it's no wonder that viewers everywhere are feeling antsy. The series has decided to jettison the established order of author Julia Quinn's bestselling series of romance novels in favor of giving fans what they've been clamoring for almost since the series began: Colin and Penelope's story.

[Insert your own joke here about spring being "Polin" season.]

Rather than tell Benedict's story here, as the novels do, Netflix is jumping forward to the fourth book in Quinn's series, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, which features Colin and Penelope's romance. It's a smart move, given how much screentime the show has already spent on the pair's friendship and Penelope's seemingly unrequited crush. Not to mention her secret life as Lady Whistledown and the deep rift with Eloise that information caused when her former BFF (and Colin's sister) found out. Specific details about what's next for this trio remain under wraps, but Netflx is describing Season 3 as "ultra-sexy" and "lavish", it sounds like Polin fans have a lot to look forward to in the new year. 

Here's the Season 3 synopsis. 

From Shondaland and new showrunner, Jess Brownell, Bridgerton is back for its third season and finds Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) 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 (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.

Much like other recent popular series such as The Crown, The Witcher, and You, Netflix will be releasing Bridgerton Season 3 in two parts, with the first four episodes dropping in May, 2024 and followed by the back half of the season in June.

Season 3 has given returning Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), and Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) to top billing, a move that makes sense given that this outing will re-order the books and bring Colin and Penelope's love story forward as the central arc of this season. 

Other returning cast members include Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton), Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma), Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington), Jessica Madsen (Cressida Cowper), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), and Julie Andrews (Lady Whistledown.) To the likely chagrin of some fans, both the Duke and Duchess of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor) will be sitting this season out. 

Bridgerton Season 3, Part 1 will premiere on May 16, 2024, with Part 2 set to follow just under a month later, debuting on June 13, 2024.