From Billie Eilish to BTS: Bridgerton unveils season 3 soundtrack details

Bridgerton's season 3 soundtrack features a modern twist, with orchestral renditions of hits by Taylor Swift to BTS.

The soundtrack for season 3 of the Netflix period drama will feature contemporary pop songs reimagined in orchestral pop arrangements, as reported by Variety.

Building on the success of previous seasons, which included covers of Ariana Grande and Madonna by the Vitamin String Quartet, season 3 expands the repertoire with artists like Billie Eilish, BTS, Sia, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Nick Jonas.

Music supervisor Justin Kamps explained his approach to selecting the songs, stating, "I start to try to think of songs from the past that could maybe work for this and then also current hits that could possibly make sense." 

He further elaborated, "It's really down to the script and then the themes. And sometimes initially it's about what matches the choreography and then later it's about what matches the scene and the emotion."

This season promises to broaden the placement of music beyond grand balls. Kamps teased, "This season, the musical moments don’t just appear in the ball sequences."

Composer Kris Bowers, also returning for season 3, hinted at new thematic developments for characters Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton). 

"To be able to write a new theme for Colin, a new theme for Penn, a new theme for the two of them together was a lot of fun and definitely infused a new feeling into the sound and score for this season," Bowers said.

He elaborated on the inspiration behind the themes for Colin and Penelope: "My thinking behind Colin and Penn was how much of it was this timidity and this two steps forward, one step back kind of thing. The theme that I wrote melodically has this shape to it that’s meant to evoke this feeling of stepping forward and leaning back."

The soundtrack will be released in two parts, mirroring the eight-episode season which is split into two halves. The first four episodes premiere on May 16, with the remaining four arriving on June 13. Part 1 of the soundtrack will also be released on May 16.