AS a Christmas treat for fans, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan shared a series of stills from the upcoming third season of the steamy period drama.
She teased a little of what’s coming in the new season, which will see her character Penelope Featherington develop a romantic relationship with her long-time crush Colin Bridgerton.
The news that Nicola, 36, and Luke, 30, would be taking centre stage in the third season of the Netflix show came as a shock, as it is a diversion from the order of Julia Quinn’s books. However, as the romantic tension between their characters has been building for a while, fans quickly became excited at the idea — and, apparently, so did the cast.
In an interview earlier this year, Luke gushed: “I feel like if you see Penelope fawning over this boy for another season, you’ll be like, ‘Get it together! Come on, move on and get over it’ … I think people are going to be really obsessed. I think book fans are going to be happy.”
Nicola’s perfectly timed Instagram post only fed into this excitement and fans are now champing at the bit for the new season.
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The Irish star shared a carousel of stills from the show. The first showed Penelope and Colin getting cosy with some champagne, while the second confirmed that most of the ever-expanding Bridgerton clan would be returning this year. However, fan-favourite Phoebe Dynevor who plays Daphne Bridgerton will not be returning.
Picture number three teased some steamy scenes between Lord Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma (played by Jonathan Bailey and Sex Education star Simone Ashley), whose relationship at subsequent marriage was the subject of Bridgeton’s second season.
The fourth and fifth pictures confirmed there will be a lot going on in the Bridgerton household this season and revealed that Hannah Dodd has taken over the role of Francesca Bridgerton, who was previously portrayed by Ruby Stokes.
Bridgerton fans were quick to share their excitement about the pictures in the comments, with one writing, “I’m exploding with anxiety.”
“I’m beyond ready for this,” another fan responded, while a third added that they were “so excited” Penelope and Colin’s love story to be the focus of the new season.
Not too much else has been confirmed about the upcoming season, but the official synopsis from Netflix has teased plenty of drama ahead.
It reads: “Penelope has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin 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.
“Meanwhile, 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. 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.”
Sadly, fans will have to wait a few more months to see these episodes on their screens.
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Season 3 will premiere on Thursday 16 May 2024 and will be split into two parts with the second half scheduled to drop the following month Thursday 13 June.
Season 1 and 2 of Bridgerton are available to stream on Netflix now.
