‘Bridgerton’ Teases Season 3 With Christmas Day Photo Drop

The third season veers from the order of the novels to focus on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

‘Bridgerton’ season 3

Netflix

Lady Whistledown had a Christmas present for Bridgerton fans.

The Netflix series left something under the Bridgerton tree when it delivered five first look photos at season three on Monday.

The eight-episode third season will follow in the footsteps of several big series at the streamer (most recently, The Crown‘s final season) and will be split into two parts when it releases in 2024. The first four episodes release May 16, followed by June 13 for the final four.

The third season of the hit Shondaland series will have a new showrunner with Jess Brownell taking over from creator Chris Van Dusen and will focus on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) for what is sure to be the will-they-won’t-they romance talk of the ton. But, asking a similar question, the season will also focus on whether or not Penelope can repair her best friendship with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who uncovered Penelope’s secret Lady Whistledown identity in season two.

“Julia Quinn, who wrote the book said, ‘This is one of the most important love stories in the whole Bridgerton series and it just happens that it’s a friendship love,’” Nicola Coughlan had said to The Hollywood Reporter when sharing a conversation she had on set with the Bridgerton author about how the reveal will impact Penelope and Eloise’s close friendship.

The story is based on the fourth book in Quinn’s bestselling series, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, skipping over Benedict (Luke Thompson) for the time being, as he was the focus of book No. 3. The series has already been renewed for a fourth season. The plan from the start was for each season of Bridgerton to focus on a different one of the eight Bridgerton siblings and their quest for marriage.

The full logline reads: “Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) 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 realize 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 (Claudia Jessie), 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.”

Returning cast also includes Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Lorraine Ashbourne (Mrs. Varley), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton), Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma), Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Harriet Cains (Philipa Featherington), Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington), Jessica Madsen (Cressida Cowper), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Portia Featherington) and Julie Andrews (Lady Whistledown).

Additional cast are Hugh Sachs (Brimsley), Emma Naomi (Alice Mondrich), Kathryn Drysdale (Genevieve Delacroix) and Sam Phillips (Lord Debling).

The season is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica and Van Dusen.