Season 3 of Netflix's 'Bridgerton' Is "For the Wallflowers"

Valentine's Day is upon us which means it's the season for love and romance. And what television show is more synonymous with the idea of romance than Netflix's Bridgerton? The swoon-worthy period drama celebrated the most romantic day of the year by hosting a global virtual fan event to share news about its upcoming third season. Executive producer Shonda Rhimes; Season 3 showrunner Jess Brownell; author Julia Quinn, who wrote the popular series of romance novels the show is based on, and several cast members, including stars Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, took part in an online panel that revealed lots of juicy details about the upcoming season. (And even gave us a sneak peek of the Season 3 premiere!)

As most fans are probably aware by now, the Netflix series has decided to adapt the story of Quinn's books in a slightly altered order. Rather than tell Benedict Bridgerton's story here, as the books do, the series is jumping ahead to Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the fourth installment in the series, which features Colin and Penelope's romance. Given how much screentime the show has already spent on the pair's friendship and Penelope's seemingly unrequited feelings for her longtime friend, it's a move that makes a lot of sense. Her need to juggle her secret life as Lady Whistledown, as well as her ongoing rift with Colin's sister Eloise --- who now knows the truth about her nom de plume --- means that a Penelope-focused season is a natural extension of what has already come before. (And perhaps Season 3 can somehow figure out a way to give Benedict the necessary depth required of a leading man whose love story is expected to carry the show's next season at the same time. Just saying.)