Bridgerton Season 3 : What we know so far!

That's right, everyone's favourite bodice ripper is back. Bridgerton has been popular with Jane Austen fans for its Regency setting and compelling romances. Now in its third season, Shondaland's raunchy period show returns to Netflix on May 16th. Let's take a moment ahead of the new season to recap what we know so far.

What is Bridgerton? 

If you’ve been living under a rock, I suppose I should explain what Bridgerton actually is. Bridgerton is the brainchild of romance novelist Julia Quinn. Originally a series of eight novels, the Bridgerton books follow the high-society family of the same name, detailing the various romantic exploits of the eight alphabetically named Bridgerton children as they navigate the world of Regency England. 

The TV show sets out to adapt these novels and is one of Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland-produced shows (which also includes the cult show Grey’s Anatomy). Rhimes is well known for raunch, romance and melodrama, which Bridgerton offers in spades. It has been running for three seasons now, plus a spin-off series, with the third set to release this week. 

What happened in the first two seasons? (no spoilers!)

The first season follows the middle Bridgerton child, Daphne, as she is crowned the Diamond of the Season, by the Queen, who has decided she is the most eligible young lady of the country’s upper class. However, Daphne’s season is thrown off track by the arrival of the rakish Duke of Hastings, who has no intention of marrying. Meanwhile, the gossip of the ton is being stirred up by the cryptic and scandalous Lady Whistledown, an anonymous pamphleteer who sets out to cause trouble amongst the wealthy and landed. 

The second season follows Anthony, the eldest brother, as he comes to realise he cannot remain a bachelor forever. However, he is unimpressed by the season’s offerings of eligible young ladies. It is then that he runs into Kate Sharma, the older sister of Edwina Sharma, this season’s diamond - though Anthony initially seeks a match with Edwina, it’s impossible for him to resist his attraction to Kate. Meanwhile, Lady Whistledown continues to stir up trouble. 

What do we know about Season 3? 

Season 3 is set to revolve around Colin, the third Bridgerton child, and Penelope Featherington, another mainstay of the first two seasons. The chemistry between the two leading actors, Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan, has been so strong that the pair have had to deny dating rumours. Exciting news for anyone really invested in the show’s romantic outcomes. The characters also seem to have undergone a glow up, with Penelope ditching the froofy and garish dresses she donned in the first two seasons for the more mature, form fitting dresses befitting a romantic lead in a steamy TV show. Luke Newton, who has enjoyed a youthful, boyish look in previous seasons, also seems to have stepped more thoroughly into the role of leading man. 

In other news, the soundtrack, famous for its orchestral reinterpretations of pop songs, has been announced, and includes tracks by Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and K-pop boy band BTS. Unlike the stars of the first season, we are to see more of Kate and Anthony this season too. 

And Season 4?

Okay, calm down! The good news for the keen beans out there is that you probably won’t have to wait long for season four of Bridgerton - it’s already in pre-production. Whilst filming on the next season won’t start until the glitzy promotional tour of the current season has fizzled out, it looks like we’re in for another season of drama around the ton. 

Are you excited for Season 3 of Bridgerton? We can’t wait to hear your reviews!