Picture: Netflix
Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s biggest Originals and will return for a highly anticipated season 3 following the release of the first spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton. With production concluded, here’s everything we know so far about Bridgerton season 3 on Netflix.
With almost 950 million hours viewed in 2022, Bridgerton is only behind to the likes of Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Squid Game in popularity. 656 million hours were watched globally within the first 28 days of the second season’s release.
Between being renewed for a third and fourth season and a spin-off for the character of Queen Charlotte, the Bridgerton franchise has firmly cemented its place on Netflix.
It must be noted that the showrunner of season 2, Chris Van Dausen, has stepped down and has been replaced by Jess Brownell. Van Dusen continues to stay on board as an executive producer.
Bridgerton Season 3 Release Date: When is the new season coming out?
Netflix hasn’t officially announced any release date, window, or even year for the return of Bridgerton season 3.
You may have seen numerous viral posts counting down to December 2023 for the new season on Facebook. These posts are based on a “leaked date” from Netflix’s official Portugal account (the same account that has leaked dates and announcements previously) via an Instagram post on June 17th, 2023 that had the following caption:
“How we miss the gossip. Season three of Bridgerton premieres December 14.”
That post was notably quickly removed, and Netflix has reiterated that no release date has been set for the series yet.
Interestingly too, the series was notably not listed among the “Returning Favorites” list when Netflix held its Upfronts in May 2023. The Crown, Sex Education, Love is Blind, Big Mouth, Top Boy, and Virgin River were all included for the Fall list, but Bridgerton season 3 was notably just included in the “Coming Soon” list. That could suggest that the series may not actually drop until 2024.
Why the later release date? It could be Netflix padding out its release schedule, which will become more bare over the coming year as the strikes make an impact. It could also be because Bridgerton is a WGA and SAG-AFTRA-covered series. Both of those guilds are currently on strike, meaning no production or development on season 4 can currently proceed.
Bridgerton Season 3 First Looks Arrived at Netflix TUDUM
Picture via Netflix YouTube Channel
Bridgerton is one of the shows that will be showcased at the Netflix TUDUM event that took place in Brazil on June 17th, 2023.
Nicola Coughlan attended the event in person and featured on the live stream, teasing new information about the new season and dropping some first-look pictures for the forthcoming third season. A full replay can be found on YouTube – Bridgerton content can be found between 23:30 and 30:50.
On stage, Coughlan teased about the new season:
“Can Peneloise repair their friendship? Is Penelope finally done with yellow dresses? This season Penelope returns to London deterimed to become a new woman with new independence and a new determination. I can promise you quite the scandalous season and we cannot wait to take you along for the carriage ride.”
Do contain your excitement. Your first look at Bridgerton Season 3 has arrived. #TUDUM pic.twitter.com/m5icMZACvM
— Bridgerton (@bridgerton) June 17, 2023
What is the production status of Bridgerton season 3?
Official Production Status: Post-production (Last Updated: 20/07/2022)
Thanks to the cast members of Bridgerton, it was revealed in a YouTube video released by Netflix that filming had officially begun by July 20th, 2022.
Many months later, filming has concluded, confirmed by a picture of the Netflix staff congratulating the cast and crew on a job well done for their work on the third season.
Wrap sign for Bridgerton season 3
Bridgerton Season 3 Episodes: How many? Episode Titles, Directors and Writers
Eight episodes are set to make up the third season of Bridgerton.
At TUDUM 2022, Nicola Coughlan, aka Penelope Featherington, read from the script of the first episode of season 3 titled “Out of the Shadows.”
Alicia Robbins serves as director of photography on season 3 for episodes 1, 2 5, and 6.
Here’s the current episode list with directors and writers:
- Episode 301 – Out of the Shadows
- Directed by Tricia Brock
- Episode 302
- Episode 303
- Directed by Andrew Ahn
- Episode 304
- Directed by Andrew Ahn
- Episode 305
- Episode 306
- Episode 307
- Directed by Tom Verica
- Episode 308
- Directed by Tom Verica
Making their directorial debut on Bridgerton on season 3 is Bille Woodruff who has directed on Yellowjackets and Fear the Walking Dead.
Bridgerton Season 3 Cast: Who’s Returning, Who’s New and Who’s Departed?
Many of the cast members from the previous season of Bridgerton will be returning;
- Jonathan Bailey – Lord Anthony Bridgerton
- Simone Ashley – Lady Kathani ‘Kate’ Bridgerton
- Nicola Coughlan – Penelope Featherington
- Luke Newton – Colin Bridgerton
- Florence Hunt – Hyacinth Bridgerton
- Claudia Jessie – Eloise Bridgerton
- Luke Thompson – Benedict Bridgerton
- Will Tilston – Gregory Bridgerton
- Ruth Gemmell – Lady Violet Bridgerton
- Adjoa Andoh – Lady Danbury
- Lorraine Ashbourne – Mrs. Varley
- Harriet Cains – Philippa Featherington
- Bessie Carter – Prudence Featherington
- Golda Rosheuvel – Queen Charlotte
- Polly Walker – Portia, Baroness Featherington
- Martins Imhangbe – Will Mondrich
- Calam Lynch – Theo Sharpe
- Julie Andrews – voice of Lady Whistledown
It has already been confirmed that Phoebe Dynevor will not be returning as Daphne Basset, Duchess of Hastings.
Regé-Jean Page also debunked rumors that he would return for season 3 in a post, saying:
“No, I’m not going back to the show btw – the papers made that one up.”
The first major casting for season 3 came in May 2022 with the news that Hannah Dodd would be playing the “elusive Bridgerton sibling” in season 3 taking over the role from Ruby Stokes who left Bridgerton to star in Lockwood & Co (now canceled).
Hannah Dodd – Picture: Olivia Bell Management
Alongside the announcement that filming has begun, three new cast members were also revealed.
- James Phoon takes on the role of Harry Dankworth, who has been described as a man that lacks wit and intelligence, but more than makes up for with seriously good looks.
- Sam Phillips takes on the role of Lord Debling, a friendly lord with quirky interests that has the means, money, and title to pursue his eccentricities.
- Daniel Francis takes on the role of Marcus Anderson, a charismatic man who can light up any room he enters, which often gets him the attention of many ladies, to the ire of his peers.
James Phoon (left), Sam Phillips (center), and Daniel Francis (right)
Other new cast members for season 3 include:
- David Mumeni as Lord Samadani
Bridgerton season 3 story: What can we expect from the new season?
Each new season of Bridgerton focuses on the romance of different members of the Bridgerton family.
In season 3, the story and romance of Lady Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton are the main focus, with the series now focusing mostly on the fourth novel from the source material, Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
Picture: Julia Quinn
A full synopsis for season 3 of Bridgerton has been revealed;
“Penelope has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin 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.”
Other Bridgerton News
Rounding out the article with any Bridgerton news that doesn’t quite relate to season 3:
At TUDUM 2023, it was announced that the live event “The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience,” put together by Shondaland, Netflix, and Fever that’s already taken place in 10 cities will be rolling out to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
At the Emmy nominations in mid-July 2023, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story was nominated for three awards.
Are you looking forward to the third season of Bridgerton on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!