Bridgerton season 3 is due to air in May 2024, but the show will go through some changes, and will differ in several ways compared to seasons 1 and 2.
With Bridgerton season 3 on its way, the upcoming season of the hit period drama will differ in a few ways from seasons 1 and 2. From Shondaland, the creators of shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton dominated Netflix with its first season in 2020 and quickly became an audience favorite. Based on the novel series by Julia Quinn, the Bridgerton family and their engaging storylines and incredible romances have given the period drama TV genre a well-deserved boost of popularity in recent years.
So far, Bridgerton has had a focus on two budding relationships, Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and the Duke of Hastings Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) in season 1, followed by Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in season 2. In Bridgerton season 3, the slow-burning relationship between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) will be the biggest topic of conversation, as well as some new Bridgerton season 3 characters who are joining the show. While season 3 will have plenty of drama, there are also some big changes in Bridgerton compared to previous seasons.
Notable Characters
Actor
Anthony Bridgerton
Jonathan Bailey
Benedict Bridgerton
Luke Thompson
Colin Bridgerton
Luke Newton
Daphne Bridgerton
Phoebe Dynevor
Eloise Bridgerton
Claudia Jessie
Francesca Bridgerton
Penelope Featherington
Nicola Coughlan
Simon Bassett
Regé-Jean Page
Kate Shwarma
Simone Ashley
7Bridgerton Season 3 Will Be Missing Daphne
Phoebe Dynevor Will Not Reprise Her Role
Daphne and Simon’s relationship in Bridgerton is responsible for the success of the show, with their passionate love affair keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and anxious over their fate as a couple. However, Bridgerton season 2 notably saw an end for Daphne and Simon’s story, at least on screen, as actor Regé-Jean Page didn’t return after season 1. Phoebe Dynevor did come back for season 2, with the character returning after the birth of Daphne and Simon’s baby boy, a major change from the original book series.
Although Daphne isn’t as prominent in season 2, which makes sense, seeing as each book focuses on a Bridgerton sibling’s marriage, it’ll be odd not to see the eldest daughter in season 3.
It’s been confirmed that Daphne Bridgerton isn’t returning for Bridgerton season 3, which will allow more focus on other members of the show. Although Daphne isn’t as prominent in season 2, which makes sense, seeing as each book focuses on a Bridgerton sibling’s marriage, it’ll be odd not to see the eldest daughter in season 3. However, with Daphne out of the way, there will be more screen time for other characters to make their mark on the show.
Lady Whistledown’s Identity Is Known
Penelope Featherington’s Secret Persona Is Now Revealed
In Bridgerton season 2, Penelope’s friendship with Eloise (Claudia Jessie) is expanded upon, and in the finale, Eloise discovers that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. The fallout of this huge reveal will mean that the two women’s bond is likely to face even more struggles in season 3 for several reasons. Eloise is a big supporter of female independence and frequently voices her opinions on the process of finding a spouse. However, Penelope was also the one to write about Daphne throughout season 1, so this whole ordeal is likely to be very conflicting for Eloise.
There’s also the possibility that Eloise will not be the only Bridgerton character to discover the truth.
There’s also the possibility that Eloise will not be the only Bridgerton character to discover the truth. Season 3 will focus on Penelope and Colin’s relationship, so there is a chance that another of the Bridgerton siblings will find out about Penelope’s chaotic actions. Lady Whistledown’s identity was a highly anticipated storyline in seasons 1 and 2, so now that the cracks in Penelope’s disguise are beginning to form, it seems likely that this important detail will continue to crop up throughout season 3.
The Narrator’s Voice-Over Will Not Have The Same Impact
Dame Julie Andrew’s Narration As Whistledown In Bridgerton Will Be Seen Differently
In Bridgerton, legendary actress Dame Julie Andrews provides a voice-over narration as Lady Whistledown. The iconic performer’s diction and tone of voice are immediately recognizable in Bridgerton, even though she doesn’t appear on screen at any point, unfortunately. However, now that it’s common knowledge that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, it’ll be interesting to see how Andrews is incorporated. It is already known that Andrews will be returning in Bridgerton season 3, but as audiences are aware of Whistledown’s identity, the voice-over will be less impactful than before.
It could be interesting to see Andrews voice Penelope’s inner thoughts, acknowledging her own identity, although this will make things complicated.
It could be interesting to see Andrews voice Penelope’s inner thoughts, acknowledging her own identity, although this will make things complicated. Lady Whistledown’s identity isn’t public knowledge to everyone, except Eloise and the audience, and so Penelope will have to keep up the fictional persona. However, there’s a chance that Andrews is Penelope, and perhaps the voice-over is actually Penelope recounting her old correspondences in the future. The reveal of Lady Whistledown’s identity is such a core storyline in Bridgerton, so it’s great that Andrews will still return in season 3, although how this will work is still unclear.
Bridgerton’s Prequel Will Change Queen Charlotte’s Relationship With Lady Danbury
Details About The Experiment Will Shift Bridgerton’s Story
In 2023, Bridgerton aired the prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, providing more context on the “experiment” and Queen Charlotte’s (Golda Rosheuvel) backstory. Young Queen Charlotte’s (India Ria Amarteifio) story will be crucial in Bridgerton, especially as it explains why the character is the way that she is. Hopefully, the Queen’s past will become even more developed in the potential Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story season 2. References to Charlotte’s marriage to King George III (Corey Mylchreest) are littered throughout Bridgerton, but season 3 will be the first installment to air after the prequel.
The prequel has now proven that their relationship began because of the “experiment” and that Agatha plays a big part in ensuring its success.
Charlotte’s story establishes itself in the prequel, and these details will become even more prominent in Bridgerton season 3, especially as seasons 1 and 2 were unable to. For example, the prequel expands on Charlotte and Agatha’s (Arsema Thomas) friendship hugely. In Bridgerton, Agatha (Adjoa Andoh) is Charlotte’s greatest confidant, but the prequel has now proven that their relationship began because of the “experiment” and that Agatha plays a big part in ensuring its success. With the prequel producing new details about the pair, Bridgerton season 3 is likely to see a shift in their dynamic to reflect this.
Penelope And Colin’s Story Differs From Past Seasons
Bridgerton Season 3 Will Not Introduce A Brand New Love Interest
In previous seasons, Bridgerton has introduced a new love interest for one of the siblings to marry. In season 1, it was the Duke of Hastings, and in season 2, it was Kate Sharma, both characters who aren’t already a part of the Bridgerton world in their premiere episodes. However, Bridgerton season 3 will focus on Penelope and Colin, two well-established characters that are already known to audiences. Penelope and Colin’s friendship is very prominent in Bridgerton, and their eventual relationship is repeatedly teased throughout the whole show, but season 3 will finally see the pair acknowledge their feelings properly.
Bridgerton changing its storyline pattern can possibly result in some interesting moments for the show.
However, Bridgerton changing its storyline pattern can possibly result in some interesting moments for the show. Colin and Penelope’s past, having grown up together in a platonic sense, makes their relationship even more exciting for audiences, especially as Colin claims he has no interest in courting Penelope. Readers of the book series know that this will not be the case, however, and the two will end up together, although how Bridgerton will execute this is still unclear. Bridgerton has diverted from the source material before, so it’s possible that this may happen again in season 3.
Bridgerton Will Deviate From The Books
Season 3 Is The First To Not Follow The Same Order As The Novel Series
Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 are adapted from the first two novels, The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me, but season 3 will be the first to step away from this format. The third book, An Offer from a Gentleman, focuses on Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) story, but Bridgerton season 3 will skip ahead to the events of Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Although it’s certain that Benedict’s tale will be revisited in another season of Bridgerton, it is worth considering that there is still a chance that his future might be teased in season 3.
With Bridgerton deviating from the order of the books, it’s also likely that everyone’s timelines may change.
With Bridgerton deviating from the order of the books, it’s also likely that everyone’s timelines may change. For example, in the books, Colin seeing Benedict settle down is one of the reasons he decides that he is also ready to wed. But as season 3 will not introduce Benedict’s love interest, Sophie, one of Colin’s key influences will be missing. However, by reordering Bridgerton‘s events, it’s likely that the Lady Whistledown storyline will become even more impactful, especially if Penelope continues to pose as the journalistic figure after getting together with Colin.
Francesca Bridgerton Is Recast
Season 3 Will Introduce Hannah Dodd As The Second Youngest Bridgerton Daughter
Francesca Bridgerton, one of the younger siblings, was portrayed by Ruby Stokes in seasons 1 and 2, but Hannah Dodd will play her in season 3. Francesca is relatively absent throughout Bridgerton, only appearing in a handful of scenes, which has been a common complaint from audiences. However, as Francesca is still relatively young and Bridgerton is still a while away from reaching her book When He Was Wicked, it does make sense that the character isn’t as prominent in the show. Based on Bridgerton‘s timeline, Francesca will be approaching the age of 18 in season 3, ready for marriage.
Hannah Dodd is known for her roles as Sandra in Eternals and Cicely in Enola Holmes 2, and casting a young actress with notable experience heavily implies that Francesca will have more dialogue in the future.
It is currently unknown as to why Francesca has been recast in Bridgerton, but this does suggest that she will be getting more screen time in season 3. Hannah Dodd is known for her roles as Sandra in Eternals and Cicely in Enola Holmes 2, and casting a young actress with notable experience heavily implies that Francesca will have more dialogue in the future. As the Bridgerton timeline will no longer reflect the original books, it’s possible that Francesca’s love story may be happening sooner than expected, or season 3 will at least develop more of her personality in preparation.
