Bridgerton season 3 comes back stronger than ever, bringing romance, secrets and a whole lot of renewed drama
by Tom Soares
"Dearest, gentle reader,” let it be known that the third season of the critically acclaimed and audience-praised period series, Bridgerton, is now available on Netflix, after what may have seemed the longest two-and-a-half-year hiatus of our lives. This time, the season presents a unique twist by splitting into two parts for the first time since its debut.
Chris Van Dusen (Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice) created Bridgerton, while TV mastermind Shonda Rhimes (Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder) executive produces it. Based on an eight-volume romance series by Julia Quinn, the show follows the members of a British noble family, the Bridgerton, as they try to find everlasting love and navigate the thorny ways of high society.
In Bridgerton season 3, Anthony Bridgerton (Johnathan Bailey) and his bright, kind-hearted wife Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley) traditionally pass the torch to their younger brother Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), the girl next door.
With another impending courting season and, what seems, more competition than ever, Penelope finally decides to step out of her comfort zone and set out to find a suitor before it’s too late. To achieve this goal, she accepts Colin's assistance, who is back in town from his travels and has undergone some personal changes during his time away.
Back, too, are the Featheringtons, led by their matriarch, Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), still struggling financially and now at risk of losing their titles of nobility, unless one of the daughters can produce a male heir.
And the changes don't stop there, as the Bridgertons have another daughter, Francesca Bridgerton (Hanna Dodd, replacing Ruby Stokes due to scheduling conflict), who is much less interested in the kind of men society has to offer than what Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) would hope for. Indeed, the Queen herself shows less sympathy towards the performances debutants put on to earn the title of Queen's Diamond.
Season 3 of Bridgerton returns with all the charm, beautiful production, spiciness, and great acting we've come to expect. Truly, nothing is missing, and that’s a great relief. Nicola Coughlan is the breath of fresh air we’ve been needing on screen right now. And for anyone who ever questioned whether or not she could carry on as the series' main protagonist this time around, the answer is a very, very loud and firm "yes." Much like her predecessors, she brings to the game elements that only she could provide.
As for Luke Newton, his sweetness, ingenuity, and strong heart are what make Colin Brigderton the most coveted bachelor in town, as well as the most special Bridgerton brother. While Anthony is sexiness incarnate and Benedict (Luke Thompson) always seems very uncommitted to anything but having fun, Colin is exactly what most debutants would wish for in a husband.
Hanna Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton steals the spotlight every time she’s on screen, and she was definitely the right choice to take over for Ruby Stokes. Dodd brings in the maturity that the character needed for this new phase, and her performance alone transports you immediately to the British Regency era.
After a very long hiatus following the end of season two, Bridgerton fans should finally be able to breathe again, relieved that their show continues as good as it has always been. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton do a strong and fantastic job as Penelope and Colin, and their performance brings in a renewed sense of romance the series has been needing since season one.
Bridgerton season 3 part 1 is now available on Netflix.