‘Bridgerton’ third season won't follow same order as books

Series will jump to Penelope and Colin Bridgerton's love story

Details of Season 3 of Netflix period drama Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn’s books, have been revealed the show is set to deviate from the original story. The upcoming season will follow Colin Bridgerton’s, played by Luke Newton, and Penelope Featherington’s, played by Nicola Coughlan, love story, Coughlan revealed during Sunday’s FYSEE panel as per Variety’s latest report on the series.

While the third book prioritises on Benedict Bridgerton’s love life, that story is likely being reserved for a later season, reportedly with the fourth book’s subject as Penelope’s is moved up. Another change that will take place during Season 3 is the role of Francesca Bridgerton, previously played by Ruby Sokes. As Sokes landed the lead in Netflix’s Lockwood & Co, she exited the Shondaland show and was replaced by Hannah Dodd.

During the Season 2 finale, Penelope overheard Colin speaking ill of her. And having fantasized about getting married to him one day, she was disappointed, to say the least. Collin, in his conversation with his friends, assures them that he would never marry Penelope. So, there is resentment where there was previously admiration, and it would be interesting to see how Jess Brownell will take things from there.

It is pertinent to mention here that creator Chris Van Dusen stepped down as the showrunner following Season 2, with Brownell stepping in.

“Bridgerton will always have a special place in my heart and I think I did what I set out to do,” he told RadioTimes in March. “The fact that this show has become Netflix’s biggest English language speaking series ever is something I’m incredibly proud of, and something I’ll always be incredibly proud of. But at the end of the day, you know, it was time for me to move on, and hopefully create that magic again in the near future.”

The first two seasons of the show followed the first two novels respectively. Season 1 focused on Daphne Bridgerton’s, played by Phoebe Dynevor, love story, alongside Simon, played by Regé-Page Jean. The second revolved around Anthony Bridgerton’s, played by Jonathon Bailey, romance with Kate, played by Simone Ashley.