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.)

In addition to dropping new photos as part of its Valentine's Day Global Fan event, Netflix also revealed the episode titles for the upcoming season that offer a hint of how its arc will take shape. They are:

• 301: Out of the Shadows
• 302: How Bright the Moon
• 303: Forces of Nature
• 304: Old Friends
• 305: Tick Tock
• 306: Romancing Mister Bridgerton
• 307: Joining of Hands
• 308: Into the Light

"Season 3 is for the wallflowers," says star Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury, a sentiment loudly echoed and cheered by Coughlan. 

"I didn't expect it to be emotional as it was. I hope this season will make people who feel not seen, feel seen and help everyone realize how deserving they are of love," the actress added.

Other exciting Season 3 tidbits from Rhimes and Brownell include the introduction of a strong new suitor for Penelope in the form of Lord Debling, played by This England's Sam Phillips. Thanks to the first look images, we also got official confirmation that the fan-favorite moment from Romancing Mister Bridgerton, where Penelope wraps Colin’s hand after he accidentally cuts it will appear in Season 3. 

But fans will likely be most excited about the first official footage from the season premiere, a one-minute clip that unveils the fallout from Colin’s hurtful courting comments in the Season 2 finale and sets up the stakes for our central romance. Not to mention, gives Penelope the chance to say some of the things I suspect many of us have long been waiting to hear from her character about how frustrating her life has become (If only to make Colin realize what he's been missing all along.)

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.

Bridgerton has given  Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), and Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) top billing for Season 3, and they're joined by returning stars 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.) 

In keeping with an unfortunate trend when it comes to several its biggest titles, Netflix will be releasing Bridgerton Season 3 in two parts, with the first four episodes dropping on May 16, and the back half of the season arriving on June 13.