You don't need to subscribe to Lady Whistledown's gossip column to know that "Bridgerton" is far from over. With season two premiering on March 25, hit Netflix series based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels has already been renewed through season four.
Thanks to the blueprint Quinn's novels provide, it's possible to make an educated guess as to the plot of the forthcoming third season.
Like the books, each season of "Bridgerton" has followed the romance of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings. Aligning with the books' order, "Bridgerton's" first season focused on Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter; and the second season focused on Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest son.
Based on precedent, then, one would think that season three of "Bridgerton" will focus on Benedict (Luke Thompson). However, that's not the case. His younger brother, Colin (Luke Newton), will take the spotlight.
Who knows: Maybe even the iconic Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) will get a love story of her own. “Just because you’re over 40 doesn’t mean that you don’t still want a love interest in your life," Andoh told TODAY in an interview.
Here's what we know so far about the confirmed third season of "Bridgerton," including the potential Benedict storyline — and other possibilities.
'Bridgerton' was renewed for season three in 2021
A year ahead of "Bridgerton" season two's premiere, fans of the romantic drama got a boost of good news: "Bridgerton" was guaranteed to return for two more seasons.
The news was announced by "Lady Whistledown," in a special announcement on Netflix's pages. “This author shall have to purchase more ink,” the note said.
There's no release date yet
With the second season dropping in March 2022, the third season of "Bridgerton" is likely some time away. While waiting for the season three premiere, try catching up on Quinn's books, which might give away some plot details. Speaking of which...
Some predicted the third season of 'Bridgerton' would focus on Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett
If "Bridgerton" followed the order of Quinn's books, then Benedict would have been the next Bridgerton brother to fall in love.
"An Offer From a Gentleman," the third Bridgerton book, is modeled off Cinderella, featuring all the fair tale's classic elements: An orphaned girl, a wicked stepmother, and love at first sight at a masquerade ball (which surely will be rendered sumptuously in "Bridgerton").
Sophie Beckett, the book's love interest, is the illegitimate daughter of an earl. When her father dies, she's forced into servitude by her stepmother, who withholds money from Sophie's will. The evening of the Bridgerton family's masquerade ball, Sophie is able to sneak away and attend. Benedict never forgets the mysterious woman he danced with that evening, and searches for her, to no avail.
Until this book, all of the matches in Bridgerton were from the same social set. "An Offer From a Gentleman" explores how class functions within these relationships — and the barriers it poses if the two people are from different worlds.
But instead, it will follow Colin Bridgerton's romance with Penelope Featherington
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Shonda Rhimes teased that the creators may deviate from the order that Quinn's books lay out.
"We're not necessarily going in order, but we're going to be seeing each one of the siblings and their stories," Rhimes said.
Her comment implied that, Colin — Benedict’s younger brother — could be next. That news was confirmed in May 2022 by star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope.
“Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time, and I can confirm to you all that Season 3 is Colin and Penelope’s love story,” Coughlan revealed at the show’s FYSEE panel, per TV Line. “I have kept that secret since two weeks into Season 2. This is the first time I am saying it here.”
The evidence was already there. The season two already contains a revelation that's similar to one included in Quinn's fourth novel, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton," which follows Colin and Penelope's romance. In the book, Colin discovers Penelope's identity as Lady Whistledown; in the show, her identity has already been revealed.
The cast of characters are expected to return — but probably not Simon Basset
Naturally, the Bridgertons will be back — there are more love stories to see through. The older set of Bridgerton siblings are played by Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne), Jonathan Bailey (Anthony), Benedict (Luke Thompson), Colin (Luke Newton), and Eloise (Claudia Jessie).
So far, the youngest Bridgertons, played by Hannah Dodd (Francesca, previously played by Ruby Stokes), Will Tilston (Gregory), and Florence Hunt (Hyacinth), haven't made much of an appearance in the show, but that could change come season three. Presiding over the family is their mother, Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell).
Over in the Featherington camp, we have Polly Walker (Lady Featherington), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope), Harriet Cains (Philipa), and Prudence (Bessie Carter).
Julie Andrews will lend her voice to Lady Whistledown. Adjoa Andoh' Lady Danbury will likely plan more matches, and Golda Reshuvel's Queen Charlotte will monitor them.
There are new characters joining the cast
In July 2022, Daniel Francis, Sam Phillips, and James Phoon were all cast in the new season, per Deadline. All appearing to be cast as suitors, these character descriptions give a hint at the plot line to come.
- Francis (“Stay Close”) plays Marcus Anderson, who has a "charismatic presence," with some matriarchs falling for his act and others not, per the official description provided by Deadline.
- Phillips (“The Crown”) plays Lord Debling, "a genial lord with unusual interests." No word yet on what those interests are.
- Phoon (“Wreck”) plays Harry Dankworth: "What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence, he more than makes up for with serious good looks."
The Sharma sisters may reappear
Regé-Jean Page, who played Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings in season one, declined to return for season two.
But season two's love interests could be coming back. Simone Ashley, however, who plays Anthony Bridgerton's paramour, expressed interest in returning for season three. "I think Kate and Anthony are such a fan favorite and an amazing duo together that a small appearance would be lovely," Ashley told Glamour.
Charithra Chandran, who plays Edwina, said she was "open" to the possibility as well. “I haven’t been told anything as of yet. It’s not my decision," Chandran told EW.
Her story is still open-ended: At the end of the season, the Queen references a potential match with her nephew, a prince. “What I can hope for Edwina is of course I hope she finds love with someone wonderful one day. But my priority, at least in the short term, is for her to find adventure and excitement," she said.
There's going to be a spin-off about Queen Charlotte, too
Announced in May 2021, details about the "Bridgerton" prequel were released soon after season two dropped.
The Netflix series will center “on Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power," per an official press release.
Newcomer India Ria Amarteifio will play a young Queen Charlotte as she adjusts to an arranged marriage to King George. "As she learns to navigate the palace, the ‘ton and her unpredictable husband, she grows into one of Europe’s most unforgettable monarchs,” the official description reads.
