Bridgerton season 3’s Rotten Tomatoes scores debut to new highs for the Netflix series. Premiered in 2020, each season of Netflix’s massively popular romance series, based on a book by Julia Quinn, follows a different sibling of the eponymous noble family as they find love on the competitive marriage market in Regency-era London. Bridgerton season 3, which just released its first part on May 16, follows the third-eldest Bridgerton boy, Colin (Luke Newton), and his friendship-turned-romance with the youngest Featherington daughter, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).

Now, shortly after its release, Bridgerton season 3 has debuted to a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics with 32 reviews and 83% from audiences with 100+ ratings at the time of writing. Both scores mark new highs for the Netflix series. However, as more reviews are tabulated, the scores are subject to change.

How Bridgerton Season 3’s Rotten Tomatoes Scores Compare To The First Two Seasons

The reason season 3’s reviews are so positive seems to be its focus on the fan-favorite couple, Colin and Penelope, which brings the show back to its opulent and passionate roots, rectifying many of the mistakes that plagued its second season.

Since its debut in 2020, Bridgerton has been beloved by both critics and audiences, regularly receiving rave reviews and placing atop Netflix’s viewing charts. Season 1 started the show by recounting the ruse-turned-fiery romance between the eldest Bridgerton daughter, Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), and the desirable yet rebellious Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page). The first season was praised as a “delightful treat” for its “sumptuous design, soapy drama, and sterling cast,” according to its Critics Consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, where it has an 87% score. Audiences also enjoyed the inaugural season, as indicated by its 71% score.

Season 2 shifted focus to Anthony, Viscount Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), and his tumultuous love triangle with sisters Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). Though, by its second season, the show’s risqué quality started to fade, according to critics, Bridgerton continued to be charming and irresistibly bingeable. The second season’s score sunk to 77% from the critics, though its audience score managed to rise to 75%.

RT Critics’ Score
RT Audience Score

Bridgerton season 1 (2020)
87%
71%

Bridgerton season 2 (2022)
77%
75%

Bridgerton season 3 (2024)
94%
83%

Now, Bridgerton season 3’s reviews are some of the best the series has seen, resulting in its 94% score from critics. The reason season 3’s reviews are so positive seems to be its focus on the fan-favorite couple, Colin and Penelope, which brings the show back to its opulent and passionate roots, rectifying many of the mistakes that plagued its second season. Viewers seem to agree, as season 3’s 83% audience score is also a series high. With Bridgerton season 3, part 1 now streaming on Netflix, anyone can watch the latest episodes and form their own opinion.