In a striking evolution that has captured the attention of fans worldwide, Bridgerton star Luke Newton has shared intimate details about his physical transformation to step into the leading role for Season 3, where he portrays Colin Bridgerton alongside onscreen love interest Nicola Coughlan. The 31-year-old English actor, who has been part of the Netflix period drama since its 2020 debut, underwent a significant makeover to embody the matured and confident Colin, whose friends-to-lovers storyline with Penelope Featherington takes center stage. As the series gears up for its continued success, Newton’s revelations—made during interviews tied to the Season 3 release in May 2024 and beyond—offer a glimpse into the dedication behind his character’s glow-up. As of 4:45 PM +07 on Thursday, July 24, 2025, his transformation remains a hot topic, blending physical effort with emotional depth to redefine his place in the Regency-era saga.

Newton’s journey to becoming Season 3’s leading man began long before the cameras rolled. Cast as Colin, the third Bridgerton son, at age 26 after stints in British teen shows like The Lodge, he initially played a boyish, supporting character across the first two seasons. The announcement in May 2022 that he and Coughlan would lead Season 3—jumping ahead of the book series’ order—marked a pivotal shift. Newton, aware of the role’s demands, started preparing physically and mentally, drawing inspiration from his onscreen brother Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey. In a November 2024 People magazine feature tied to the Sexiest Man Alive issue, Newton explained, “Colin had changed and become a man, and I wanted to embody that physically.” This desire to reflect Colin’s growth after traveling Europe drove his transformation, mirroring the character’s shift from a dreamer to a man ready for love.

The physical overhaul was multifaceted. Newton worked closely with the show’s hair, makeup, and wardrobe teams to craft a look that signaled maturity. After Season 2 wrapped, the hair and makeup department instructed him to grow his hair and sideburns, a directive he embraced with enthusiasm. “At the wrap party for Season 2, they came up to me and said, ‘Right, you’re next. Grow your hair, grow the sideburns,’” he recalled in a May 2024 Entertainment Weekly interview. Inspired by Bailey’s groomed sideburns from Season 2, Newton spent hours perfecting their shape, resulting in a style he dubbed “very, very proud of those.” However, he humorously noted their impracticality off-set, quipping, “If I’m in the coffee shop on a Sunday morning, you can kind of spot a Bridgerton from a mile away if you see those sideys!” This attention to detail helped him feel like a “brand-new version” of Colin upon returning to set.

Beyond grooming, Newton focused on building a muscular physique to match Colin’s newfound swagger. Showrunner Jess Brownell emphasized that the glow-up was rooted in character development, telling Entertainment Weekly, “We really focused on story and character. It was definitely about Colin returning with a new sense of confidence, a new sense of swagger.” Newton echoed this in a June 2024 Men’s Health interview, explaining how he adjusted his fitness routine and diet to embody this change. “I wanted him to feel like a man when he returned,” he said, comparing it to a young lad coming back from summer break with a beard and a deeper voice. This physical transformation was less about vanity and more about aligning with Colin’s experiences abroad, a narrative choice that fans quickly nicknamed the “sexy pirate” look, a term Brownell acknowledged as “not too off from what we were intending.”

The process wasn’t without challenges. Newton admitted the intensity of leading the show, with 12- to 15-hour days requiring him to stay energized. In a May 2024 Town & Country interview, he noted watching Bailey and Simone Ashley’s Season 2 experience, which motivated him to feel “healthy and full of energy.” This preparation paid off during emotional scenes, like the moment Colin discovers Penelope is Lady Whistledown. Newton told E! News in a joint interview with Coughlan, “I didn’t know it was going to come this season at all. When I read that, I knew it would crush him the most.” The scene, shot in multiple emotional tones, left him “bawling my eyes out,” a testament to the physical and emotional stamina his transformation supported.

Wardrobe played a crucial role in this evolution. Newton collaborated with the costume team to create a cohesive adult wardrobe, moving away from scene-specific pieces to a versatile collection. “Rather than a waistcoat and a coat for this scene, it was like, ‘Let’s set a wardrobe,’” he explained to InStyle in April 2024. This allowed flexibility, with options like an open shirt or no tie to reflect Colin’s rebellious side, a departure from his earlier buttoned-up style. Costume designer John Glaser noted to Bustle in May 2024 that this season explored Colin’s “dandyish” past giving way to a more rugged, Marlboro Man-inspired aesthetic, enhancing his worldly persona.

The transformation mirrored Newton’s personal growth as an actor. Having watched Bailey navigate the leading role in Season 2, he leaned on that mentorship, telling Men’s Health, “Jonny has been there every step of the way.” This parallel between his journey and Colin’s—finding confidence in a leading role—became apparent late in filming, as he told EW, “I didn’t notice that until the last couple of episodes, and I felt like, ‘Oh, I’ve really found my feet now.’” This synergy with Coughlan, his friend of four years, further eased the transition, with their shared history mirroring Penelope and Colin’s slow-burn romance.

Fan and critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The “sexy pirate” moniker trended on social media, with posts found on X praising Newton’s chiseled physique and sideburns. His inclusion in People’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive issue and a spot on IMDB’s Most Popular Stars of 2024 list reflect this acclaim. However, some fans noted the sideburns’ out-of-place feel in daily life, a sentiment Newton himself acknowledged. The physical change also sparked curiosity about his off-screen fitness, with paparazzi shots from 2023 showing a toned Newton, suggesting a maintained regimen post-filming.

The broader impact of Newton’s transformation extends to Bridgerton’s legacy. As Season 4, focusing on Benedict Bridgerton, approaches in 2026, his glow-up sets a precedent for future leads. It challenges the notion that physical changes alone define a character, emphasizing inner growth as Brownell intended. Newton’s journey—spanning gym sessions, grooming marathons, and emotional scenes—underscores a holistic approach, blending authenticity with the show’s romantic flair. As the clock ticks to 4:45 PM +07 on July 24, 2025, his transformation remains a testament to the dedication behind Bridgerton’s enduring appeal.