Bridgerton Penelope Featherington Nicola Coughlan Colin Bridgerton Luke NewtonOver two years after its successful second season premiered, Bridgerton season 3 part 1 is finally dropping on Netflix this month. As a testament to the historical romance series’ ever-increasing popularity, Bridgerton season 2 beat season 1’s Netflix record with a remarkable increase in viewership numbers. Naturally, as Bridgerton’s cult following surges with each new season, so does the anticipation to see how the TV franchise will interpret Julia Quinn’s novel series of the same name and which member of the Bridgerton family will encounter their epic Regency-era romance in the show next.

Previously, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) found love with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), the older sister of his intended betrothed, in a series of complicated yet steamy events resulting in their happily ever after by the time of Bridgerton’s season 2 ending. With two of the eight Bridgerton children happily married in the TV series – Daphne being the first in season 1 – Bridgerton season 3 now turns to the third-eldest sibling, Colin. Along with Luke Newton reprising his role as Colin, many franchise regulars, plus executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, returned for Bridgerton’s new love story.

Bridgerton Returning Cast
Role

Luke Newton
Colin Bridgerton

Nicola Coughlan
Penelope Featherington

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

Julie Andrews
Lady Whistledown

Hugh Sachs
Brimsley

Emma Naomi
Alice Mondrich

Kathryn Drysdale
Genevieve Delacroix

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Releases At 12:00 AM PT On Thursday, May 16, 2024

Bridgerton Is Back This Month

Penelope looking over her shoulder with Colin standing behind her in Bridgerton Season 3

Bridgerton season 3 part 1 will premiere on Thursday, May 16, at midnight Pacific time (3:00 AM ET, 8:00 AM GMT). Although Bridgerton season 3 is dropping in bulk instead of releasing its episodes weekly, viewers will not have access to the entirety of the new season just yet. Similar to Stranger ThingsThe Witcher, and some streaming series expecting new seasons in the future, like Cobra Kai and WednesdayBridgerton is using a split-season release model for season 3.

How Many Episodes Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Has

Season 3 Part 1 Consists Of Four Episodes

Colin looking down at Penelope in Bridgerton Season 3

On Thursday, Bridgerton season 3’s first four episodes, “Out of the Shadows,” “How Bright the Moon,” “Forces of Nature,” and “Old Friends” will be dropped. Not until Thursday, June 13, will the remaining episodes of Bridgerton season 3 be available to stream. In all probability, season 3 part 2’s “Tick Tock,” “Romancing Mister Bridgerton,” “Joining of Hands,” and the season finale “Into the Light” will kick off that day at midnight Pacific time (3:00 AM ET, 8:00 AM GMT) as well.

What To Expect From Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1

The Beginnings Of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington Friends-To-Lovers Story

As Bridgerton season 3’s confirmed episode titles suggest, viewers will behold a full-circle romance between Colin and his romantic interest. Netflix previously disclosed that Colin’s leading lady would be none other than Penelope Featherington, the shy bachelorette revealed as Bridgerton’s anonymous writer Lady Whistedown in the series’ second season. Per season 3’s synopsis:

…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.

Colin and Penelope’s inevitable love will transpire over the course of Bridgerton season 3, but the glorious romance won’t start out as rainbows and butterflies. Viewers will recall that Penelope caught Colin declaring to his buddies that he would never court her, souring their impending romance and the friendship they shared throughout the entirety of the Bridgerton franchise. Because Bridgerton season 3 is divided, part one is likely to follow Colin and Penelope’s reconciliation and burgeoning feelings, and part two should be the fairytale ending payoff all Polin fans have been waiting for.