The opulent costumes. The intense eye contact. The palpable sexual tension. Bridgerton is back

Bridgerton fans may be in for a surprise in the third season of the hit period drama – for while they may be expecting a romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, a new teaser clip from Netflix suggests other suitors may have Pen in their sights.

Viewers are excitedly awaiting the return of the Shonda Rhimes series, which has long-teased the plot will follow the love story of fan favourite Penelope, played by Nicola Coughlan, and Colin Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Newton. But a short video posted on the official Bridgerton Instagram page hinted at a different romance for Penelope. In the brief clip, Penelope can be seen looking up at a handsome blonde suitor before the two greet each other, and turn towards the camera. The video was posted alongside the caption, ‘Will this wallflower’s moment in the sunshine be enough to let her bloom? One can certainly hope.’

Newton was amongst the first to comment on the post, delighting followers as he wrote, ‘Fuming!’ on the short video. Many fans of the series were driven wild by the clip, with one commenting, ‘MORE SUITORS I want Collin suffering from jealousy.’ Another wrote, ‘Pen finally getting suitors, how have they been so blind.’ A third added, ‘I am actually loving this suitor of her.Shes been in love with Colin for so long it will be good for her to get attention of a man who could really appreciate her before she settles down with Colin.’

The mysterious blonde is in fact Lord Debling, who is played by Sam Phillips and will compete with Colin for Penelope’s love. Speaking to ScreenRant, Phillips teased his character in the series is ‘an outsider’, saying, ‘He lives on the fringes of society, and he is after a love match this season; he’s after someone who goes against the grain, someone who is a little bit of an outsider like him. And he spots Penelope. He thinks she’s special because she’s sort of seen as an outsider too.’

Hours after the clip was shared, the account posted a further two images of the characters on screen alongside the caption, ‘If these portraits are of any indication, Lord Debling can certainly see the beauty of a wallflower when properly tended to.’ In the first, the couple can be seen relaxing beside one another on a picnic blanket, while in the second, Lord Debling appears to be giving Pen a bracelet as a gift.

After the show broke its own record with Season 2 to become the most-watched English-language series on Netflix, audiences were delighted at the news that it’s been green-lit for a third and fourth season. The focus of the plot will shift to Penelope and Colin, having centred around Viscount Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in Season 2. Ashley recently teased that the next series will be the most tantalising yet. ‘I just think it is going to be hotter than ever,’ the new Viscountess Bridgerton told Elle USA. There will also be plenty of character depth. ‘I think you’re going to see a much more softer side coming this season,’ she added.

While the show doesn’t follow the plot of the books to the letter, in Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the fourth novel in the series, Colin finally starts to view his little sister’s best friend in a new light – just as she discovers an unexpected secret about him. And of course, Penelope has plenty of secrets of her own, meaning a romantic union between the two is never going to be straightforward.

A plot synopsis released by Netflix reveals: ‘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.’

As for her love interest, Colin has ‘returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realise 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.

Penelope’s dynamic with her former best friend will also feature, with the synopsis continuing: ‘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.’