'Bridgerton' Season 3 Finally Has a Release Date

Dearest reader (and fans of Polin), prepare to rejoice—after months (and months, and months) of waiting, the third season of Netflix’s beloved Regency-era romance, Bridgerton, is finally right around the corner. While the first installment focused on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) before moving the spotlight to her brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) during season two, the latest season—which will air in two parts, according to Netflix and Shonda Rhimes’s production company, Shondaland—will follow the fan-favorite love story of Penelope Featherington and the third eldest Bridgerton child and son, Colin. 

Based on the fourth novel in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the third season is set to detail Penelope’s determination to “become a new woman with a new independence,” according to Coughlan who spoke to Tudum about her role in June. “We cannot wait to take you along for the carriage ride,” she added.

While Netflix may have shared a first look at the upcoming installment earlier this year—which was, of course, chock-full of corsets, fabulous hair and makeup looks, and extravagant balls—there’s still plenty to uncover about season three in the lead-up to its May 16 release (with part 2 arriving a month later on June 13).

What Is Bridgerton Season 3 About?

At the end of season 2, Penelope is left heartbroken at the Featherington Ball when she hears Colin tell a group of bachelors that he would never court her shortly before falling out with her best friend, Eloise (Claudia Jessie). According to Netflix’s official synopsis, this causes Penelope to give up on her years-long crush on Colin as she enters season 3, but that doesn’t mean she’s throwing away any possibility of love. Instead? She wants to take a husband — and eventually enlists the help of her unrequited love to do so.

“Lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly,” the synopsis reads. “Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realize 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,” the teaser continues. “Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise, 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.”

Which Characters Will Return for Season 3?

Season 3 will bring much of the cast back together, including Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton), Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma), Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Agatha Danbury), Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Jessica Madsen (Cressida Cowper), Emma Naomi (Alice Mondrich), Hugh Sachs (Brimsley), Polly Walker (Lady Portia Featherington), and the queen, Golda Rosheuvel. 

How Many Episodes Will There Be?

Bridgerton season 3 will be split into two parts with four episodes each, making for eight episodes total.

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