The cast, crew, and Netflix executives shared Season 3, Episode 1 with fans in a packed New York City theater.

The ton (New York City) was abuzz (fans surrounding the venue, cheering for cast members, lining the street to catch a glimpse or get inside), its inhabitants eager to impress (dressed to the nines!). Heads turned and whispers rippled through Alice Tully Hall for every actor’s arrival, the same way characters bristle and murmur for their costumed counterparts (the excitement peaked with Season 2 breakout Simone Ashley, whose arrival ensured that the stars of Season 3 probably couldn’t enter the room without some kind of safety warning for the audience).

Because “Bridgerton,” as Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said in her opening remarks, is so much more than a show. It’s a lifestyle brand, marked by the Bath & Body Works soaps and lotions adorning every bathroom; an aesthetic, shared among the evening’s Regency-inspired formalwear; and a fandom, underscored by every collective gasp, giggle, and cheer shared in the theater during Episode 1.

The screening began with a few words from Bajaria, followed by remarks from executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, and then an introduction from Season 3 showrunner Jess Brownell, who reminisced about her early days working at Shondaland 15 years ago, in the “‘Grey’s Anatomy’ bungalow.”

“I spent every lunch hour listening in to Shonda and Betsy and the writers as they talked about their lives and their characters, and I was so in awe and just so desperately wanted to do this job,” Brownell said. “I remember after working for Betsy for a couple weeks, she told me I was doing a good job. I was so thrilled that I immediately wrote an email to my mother and said, ‘Oh my god, Mom, Betsy Beers said I did a good job!’ with like five exclamation points. Except I didn’t send that email to my mom, I sent it to Betsy Beers.”

Brownell thanked the “Bridgerton” cast and crew as well as the executive and creative teams at Netflix, with a special shoutout to her writers room.

“This season walks like them and talks like them,” she said. “They have put their soul into these storylines and if you love these storylines and love these characters and you love those writers.”

And if the atmosphere in the room was any indication, dear reader, the audience does indeed love those writers (including Lady Whistledown herself, based on the wave of noise that greeted a scene where she puts pen to paper).

“Bridgerton” Season 3 Part 1 premieres May 16 on Netflix.