BRIDGERTON series have returned to the screens bringing the fans the highly anticipated love story of Penelope and Colin.
But as with every good romance, there needs to be a second male lead who will stir the drama in the new season.
Who is Lord Debling in Bridgerton?
WARNING: Contains MAJOR spoilers from the Bridgerton TV series and books.
The Netflix hit show has landed on screens with the new season focusing on Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton's friends-to-lovers story.
But the romance drama wouldn't be complete without a love triangle.
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The season three sees Penelope undergo a transformation in a bid to attract a husband.
The wallflower has finally blossomed into a main character with not just one, but two love interests.
Lord Debling was introduced to the audience in episode three as a conservationist and vegetarian who feels like an outcast of society.
"We also needed an actor that Colin Bridgerton is going to look at from across a busy room and see Penelope with this guy and think, 'Yeah, he is a threat to me.'"
Kelly Valentine Hendry, the show's casting director
He is an independent character who isn't afraid of being himself and paving his own way of life.
Lord Debling appreciates Penelope's frankness when they first meet at a ball which she calls "dull", and the two bond over being outsiders.
He seeks a practical marriage as he is set to be away for work for three years and his love for nature takes precedence over other aspects of his life.
His long travels would allow Penelope to pursue her own interests, specifically continuing to be the Lady Whistledown.
Lord Debling courts Penelope as Colin watches on from sidelines with jealousy and realises his true feelings.
Who is Lord Debling's actor Sam Phillips?
Sam Phillips, 39, is a London-born actor who studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
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His father, Nic Phillips, is a television director who is best known for Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather and Coronation Street.
Sam might be a newcomer to the Bridgerton universe, but the actor is no stranger to period dramas.
He has played the Queen's equerry in another regal Netflix hit, the Crown.
He's also appeared as Sergeant Dockett in Far From the Madding Crowd, and was featured in episodes of Grantchester.
Apart from the screen, Sam starred in the West end run of the History Boys and the Shakespeare's Glove production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Kelly Valentine Hendry, the show's casting director, told Shondaland.com : "Sam had done 'Doctors' [and] 'Grantchester,' he'd been in 'The Crown,' so he's paid his credits, paid his dues.
"We also needed an actor that Colin Bridgerton is going to look at from across a busy room and see Penelope with this guy and think, 'Yeah, he is a threat to me.'"
Does Lord Debling appear in the Bridgerton books?
Lord Debling's appearance was shrouded in mystery and came as quite a surprise to the hardcore book fans.
“It’s exciting because he’s not in the books. He’s shrouded in a bit of mystery. It’s quite exciting.
Sam Phillips, actor
His character isn't mentioned anywhere in Quinn's book series and doesn't exist in Romancing Mr Bridgerton: Penelope and Colin's story.
Lord Debling has been created solely for the Netflix show to play one of Penelope's love interests.
Sam said: “It’s exciting because he’s not in the books. He’s shrouded in a bit of mystery. It’s quite exciting.
“I love how there’s mystery, and I like that they get to see his journey because I love his journey.”
The casting director, Hendry, told Shondaland.com : "It's about adding someone to the ensemble that you just feel a little bit different about but who also works in the world."
