We know that Valentine’s Day can be a contentious holiday — full of detractors and romantics alike — but what better day to drop a new batch of Bridgerton treats than February 14, the most amorous day of the year?
Earlier today, an exclusive fan event at the Claridge’s hotel in London brought together 60,000 — yes, 60,000! — virtual fans for a live panel featuring Bridgerton executive producer Shonda Rhimes, showrunner Jess Brownell, Bridgerton book series author Julia Quinn, season three stars Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, as well as cast members Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, Adjoa Andoh, Golda Rosheuvel, and Martins Imhangbe to chat about season three of Shondaland’s hit Netflix series.
The panelists certainly set Bridgerton fans abuzz — they talked book-to-screen Easter eggs (there are, ahem, tons), the higher stakes (and elevated visuals) of season three, and their one word to describe what fans can expect (“romantic,” “warm,” “unpredictable,” and according to Jessie, “FWAAAHH,” which you are free to interpret as you will). Also announced during the conversation was … the Bridgerton wedding! Andoh and Rosheuvel let fans know that one lucky couple will soon get to have the Regency nuptials of their dreams, with more details about this exciting and regal moment to come.
But really, what would a true fan event be if we didn’t also reveal a few more inside looks into what’s to come in the ton? After the exciting news of Bridgerton’s season three premiere, with part one dropping on May 16 and part two on June 13 on Netflix, we shared some first-look images as well as a video clip that gave us our first peek at #Polin. Now, thanks to a new teaser video clip revealed at the fan event, we get an ever-deeper look into the state of Penelope and Colin’s relationship in season three. Let’s just say it’s not all diamonds and champagne:
Of course, that certainly isn’t all: In honor of love and strife alike, below is a set of new photos that will surely get your heart pumping as we hear from the cast themselves about what might be in store for the Bridgertons, Featheringtons, Danburys, and Queen Charlotte and her crew.
But before we get to the photos, just one more tidbit! Also revealed at the event were the eight episode titles of season three! While you won’t find any spoilers here, these titillating titles are sure to rustle up some theories about what’s to come.
Finally — on to the photos! To learn more about what’s in store for the third season of Bridgerton, make sure to catch up on all we know so far.
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton and Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton in season three of Bridgerton.
“Actually, I imagine that there’s probably more similarities between myself and Colin from season one and season two,” Luke Newton tells Shondaland. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that I have this newfound swagger or newfound confidence that he’s gathered on his travels. I feel like, throughout his journey, Colin is just kind of making his way back to who he actually is. There’s that sensitivity, warmth, and kindness that I share with him, and, I’d like to think, his sense of humor. Lots of people find Colin very funny, and I wouldn’t say people would say that about me [laughs], but my friends and family [might].”
The Mondrich family makes an entrance into the ton.
“I think I’m starting to relate to her more now,” says Emma Naomi, who plays Alice Mondrich, the wife and business partner of boxer-turned-businessman Will Mondrich. “I mean, before she’s a mother, she’s a wife, and that’s not been my experience [in real life] so far, but there’s certainly an elevation of our storyline that feels very similar to the elevation of Alice and Will as characters. There are a lot of bigger issues that she has to face as a mother and as a wife that I can only imagine thus far.”
“I know it’s going to sound a bit cliché, but my favorite character this season is Alice,” says Martins Imhangbe, who plays Will. “I think she’s navigating a lot this season, which is exciting to see because she has her own storyline and she’s sort of growing into herself. It’s great to be a part of and to witness.”
Penelope entertains a possible new suitor, Lord Debling.
“Lord Debling is seen as an outsider,” says Sam Phillips, who joins the Bridgerton cast this season as a potential suitor for Penelope (Nicola Coughlan). “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. Lord Debling is interested in other things outside of the norms of society. For instance, he loves wildlife, he’s a conservationist, and he is a vegetarian.”
Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) sits with Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd).
“You’re going to see more of Francesca this season,” Hannah Dodd tells Shondaland about her character. “It’s her first season out in society, so whereas you’ve seen her more in the family dynamic, now you’ll also see her in the ton dynamic. And she has to work out how she deals with that — it might be slightly different than how her family [members] have dealt with it. It’s definitely an exciting season for her.”
The Featherington ladies.
“All I want is to be told I’m beautiful and for you to do what I want,” says Bessie Carter (second from left), speaking as her character, Prudence, the eldest Featherington daughter. “[Plus], I think she likes to be able to boss someone around, and now that Philipa married last season, [Prudence] lost her, and she’s sort of losing Penelope because she is getting stronger and more vocal, and her mom is so driven in controlling the masses.”
Harriet Cains, who plays Philipa, the middle Featherington daughter, says that she definitely has a connection to her character: “She’s sort of nonplussed, like the stakes are never too high for her. And I feel like I kind of have that ability as well to be like, ‘Okay. I’m out.’ I don’t get caught up in the fray, [and Philipa] is like, ‘Well, that’s your s--t, not mine.’ That’s how I play her when she looks at her sisters. Like, ‘You lot are drama, and I’m gonna go home to my husband.’ So, what Philipa and I do have in common is that we are just in our own world.”
Hugh Sachs as Brimsley, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, and Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury.
“I always felt she was super-rich, and super-layered, and super-ambivalent and ambiguous about what she presents and to whom,” says Adjoa Andoh about playing Lady Danbury for a fourth year, after also appearing in Shondaland’s Bridgerton spin-off series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. “And I’ve always felt that strategy about her, that it is absolutely nailed in there. So, what I’m actually interested to find out with Lady Danbury as the seasons progress is the moments where she exposes more of herself or is exposed by circ*mstances.”
Golda Rosheuvel, who portrays Queen Charlotte, speaks to the changing nature of playing one character over time: “It has changed — the kind of way that we as human beings change and evolve with experience. You know, her experience through the ton — through trying to find Lady Whistledown, through even choosing a new diamond every year — that journey for that character has definitely evolved.”
The Bridgerton boys on a night out.
“I feel like I’ve spent nowhere near as much time with Luke Thompson [as I’d like],” says Luke Newton. “Which I’m really sad about because I have so much fun when we are together. But just because of the way our storylines have gone, we haven’t shot anything together [in a while]. But Benedict’s storyline this year is one that fans are going to be really interested in. I know that they love his story already, so it’s exciting to see that kind of go off in a different direction.”
“What has been a really, really lovely surprise this season is zeroing in more,” says Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict Bridgerton. “In previous seasons, because [they have] been [about bringing] big families to the fore, new families to the fore, now we’re dealing with two characters we know so well: Penelope and Colin. So, where there’s been more of a background previously, now you get a closer glimpse, and things have really come to a very specific life suddenly.”
Eloise Bridgerton, a reluctant belle of the ball.
“I think we see her sort of stiffen slightly,” Claudia Jessie tells Shondaland about Eloise Bridgerton. “[But] I actually feel like the best thing for Eloise is to find out who she is and be more comfortable with who she is. Because I think everyone’s reaction to Eloise is like a lovable eye roll, [but now] she’s trying this other way. And I don’t know if that’s necessarily going to work for her full-time either — I don’t know if it’s sustainable for someone with her character. So, I think we’ll see her internal battle. But I can only imagine it would be a good thing because she’s 19, and that’s a great age to figure out what you want for your future.”
As we ramp up to the third season of Bridgerton, if this is not enough, you can always have a look-see at our previous Bridgerton content, which features all the cast interviews and behind-the-scenes stories and videos you could want; catch up on the Bridgerton podcast; revisit the world of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story; and shop the entire Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte universe. As always, watch this space for more news, announcements, and inside details about all things Bridgerton!
Valentina Valentini is a London-based entertainment, travel, and food writer and is also a senior contributor to Shondaland. Elsewhere, she has written for Vanity Fair, Vulture, Variety, Thrillist, Heated, and The Washington Post. Her personal essays can be read in the Los Angeles Times and Longreads, and her tangents and general complaints can be seen on Twitter at @ByValentinaV.
Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY
