Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton Were "Peeing Themselves" Laughing During "Bridgerton" Spicy Scenes

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*Major spoilers for Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 below!*

Dear readers, we’re thrilled to announce that Netflix’s hit series, Bridgerton, is officially coming back for a third (and fourth!) season. While Lady Whistledown’s identity is still a mystery to many, she’s dropping the latest news about everyone’s secrets. Over the course of two seasons, she’s kept a close eye on London’s elite bachelors and bachelorettes as they try to find their future partners at extravagant balls. Although, they’re not the only ones who have to worry about Lady Whistledown’s watchful eye — their families are also targets for her daily gossip column.

So, if you watched the first two seasons of Bridgerton and are eager to find out everything that happens next, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything we know about Bridgerton season 3, from its cast and plotline to the official release date.

So, Bridgerton season 3 is definitely happening?

Yes! Netflix dropped the news with a Facebook post on April 13, 2021: “Esteemed member of the Ton, it seems we have a rather special announcement. Bridgerton shall return for seasons three and four. The author shall have to purchase more ink... Yours Truly, Lady Whistledown,” the statement reads.

Deadline also reported that the upcoming seasons of the series will have a new showrunner, Jess Brownell, who has worked on other Shonda Rhimes-led series, including the first two seasons of Bridgerton, Inventing Anna, and Scandal.

What will Bridgerton season 3 be about?

In May 2022, Netflix and series lead Nicola Coughlan — who stars as Penelope Featherington — announced that season 3 will explore the fourth book, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, which follows the budding romance between Miss Penelope and Colin Bridgerton. “Like Lady Whistledown I’ve been keeping quite a big secret for quite a long time… but I can finally tell you that @bridgertonnetflix Season Three is Colin and Penelope’s Story ❤️,” Nicola wrote on Instagram.

Nicola told Entertainment Tonight,"Season 1 was about passion. Season 2 was about longing. Season 3 is romance. It's so romantic.” But when the cameras stop rolling, the bestie vibes are strong between Nicola and Luke.

"Luke and I read the books at the beginning of season 1, and it was funny to us. We were like, 'Imagine if we have to kiss and do this,'" Nicola joked. "And then season 3 come on and we were like, 'Oh god,' and then it's like, it's my friend. I have to kiss my friend."

"There was one day where we had to sort of do like a very romantic, beautifully written romantic scene," Nicola continued. "And we were just like peeing ourselves with laughter, 'cause you just have to, like, look into each other's eyes and we were like, 'Oh god.'"

And according to Simone Ashley, there’s so much to look forward to with Anthony and Kate's continued storyline. The actress, who plays Kate Sharma, explained to E! News that she’s “very happy when [...] reading the scripts.” She added, “When I receive them, I’ve got a beaming smile on my face.” And in an interview with British Vogue, Simone revealed that we’ll see the newlyweds explore their honeymoon phase together. “We’re filming a dance this week and tonally, it’s so different – sweet, endearing and light, compared to the heaviness of their story last season,” she shared.

“I think you're going to see a much more softer side coming this season,” Simone explained to Elle. “She's going to be quite content with her husband.”

On par with the previous two seasons, there will be tons of romance to swoon over in season 3. Simone teased to E! News that it’s about to get “super steamy,” describing the upcoming season as “condensation central.” And in that same interview with ELLE, the star noted that she couldn't share too much just yet, but that she thinks this upcoming season will be "hotter than ever." 🥵

Is there a release date for Bridgerton Season 3?

There’s no official release date for Bridgerton season 3 just yet, but significant storyline changes may impact its debut. In January 2023, a source spoke to the Daily Mail and explained, “Filming has been delayed due to the screenwriter not being happy with the direction of it.” They continued, “There are some elements that Shonda is just not happy with so wants to change them. Some of it got very dark.”

The source noted that creative changes and requests to add “the fun back” to the show are going to alter the production timeline, but that the team hopes to ensure that fans enjoy the upcoming season as much as (or more than!) previous seasons.

On January 17, Daily Mail confirmed that the series is back in production, with cameras rolling outside The Royal Crescent in Bath, England. Many cast members and extras were spotted in Regency-era attire, leaving us to wonder what grand event takes place at this luxe locale in season 3.

Is there a trailer?

Not yet. But first-look photos have been released, so that could mean a trailer is coming soon.

Are there official photos from Bridgerton season 3?

We finally have a first look at Penelope and Colin’s love story. During Netflix’s TUDUM event on June 17, leading lady Nicola Coughlan unveiled first-look photos of the upcoming third season and swoon. Check them out for yourself below.

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Who will return for season 3?

Season 3 follows the fourth installment of the book series, so we can expect most of the Bridgerton siblings to return to our screens, too.

Nicola and Luke Newtown reprise their roles as Penelope and Colin, of course. Jonathan Bailey (Anthony), Claudia Jessie (Eloise), and Luke Thompson (Benedict) return as well, as does Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmel), Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).

However, in January 2023, Phoebe Dynevor told Screen Rant that she might not return to the Ton as Daphne. When asked if her character had any exciting relationship dynamics in the upcoming season, the 27-year-old actress said, "Sadly not in season three. Potentially in the future... But season three, I 'm just excited to watch as a viewer."

Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran joined the cast in season 2 as the Sharma sisters, and on April 21, Simone confirmed her return as Viscountess Bridgerton in season 3. When asked in an interview with ITV’s This Morning if she’d return to the fourth season of Sex Education (which Simone’s starred in since 2019), she confirmed that she was leaving to focus on Bridgerton. “I’m a Bridgerton girl now,” she said.

It’s unclear whether Charithra will reprise her role as Edwina, but both she and Simone have previously voiced that they’re down to return for the upcoming season. “I love the cast and crew so much, so I’d be so open to coming back,” Charithtra told Entertainment Weekly. “I haven’t been told anything as of yet. It’s not my decision. And what I can hope for Edwina is of course I hope she finds love with someone wonderful one day. But my priority, at least in the short term, is for her to find adventure and excitement.”

What about Lady Whistledown?

Lady Whistledown, London’s anonymous social season gossip, is narrated by the one and only Julie Andrews. Although viewers already know the true identity of the mysterious writer, the Ton does not. It’s suspected that they’ll be unmasked in season 3, but don’t worry, Julie’s iconic voice won’t vanish with the revelation.

“Oh, it's coming back. Oh definitely, yeah,” Julie confirmed to Entertainment Tonight, when asked if she’d continue to narrate season 3 and beyond. However, don’t expect the legendary actress to appear on camera anytime soon.

“You know who Lady Whistledown really is, so I 'm afraid it stays with me in the background. But I 'm very happy to do that,” she said.

Are there new cast members joining Bridgerton season 3?

Deadline reported in May 2022 that the second youngest daughter in the Bridgerton family, Francesca, has been recast. Hannah Dodd, who appeared in Enola Holmes 2, has assumed the role from Ruby Stokes, who had to depart due to a prior filming obligation. Francesca played a small role in the first two seasons of Bridgerton.

In March 2022, showrunner Chris Van Dusen told TVLine that Francesca was meant to have a larger role in season 2, but the actress had to depart after shooting only three episodes. “I love Francesca, but we lost her midway through season 2,” he shared with the outlet. “After exhausting all other options, she, unfortunately, had to come out due to reasons beyond our control.” Hopefully, we’ll see more of the character in the series’ third installment.

Black Sails star Hannah New is another new addition to Bridgerton season 3’s cast. According to Deadline, she will star as Lady Tilley Arnold, the ultimate girl boss. The character is described as a woman widowed at an early age who “enjoys the privileges and power that came with being at the helm of her former husband’s estate, living life on her own terms with financial independence.”

Finally, three more characters make their entrance this social season. According to Entertainment Weekly, Daniel Francis portrays Marcus Anderson, a magnetic member of the Ton who catches “the notice of certain matriarchs in the ton — and the ire of others.” Sam Phillips plays Lord Debling, a “genial lord with unusual interests.” Finally, James Phoon takes on the role of Harry Dankworth.

What have new cast members said about joining Bridgerton season 3?

Hannah Dodd spoke out after she replaced Ruby Stokes as Francesca. “I’m so excited,” the Anatomy of A Scandal star told TVLine. “Everybody's been so lovely. I just want to do a good job,” she added. Hannah revealed that she read six of Julia Quinn's eight-part Bridgerton book series after she landed the role. “I didn’t know what I’d got myself in for, but I needed to read that as soon as possible,” she said. “It’s such a beautiful book, and she’s such a beautiful character. I can’t really believe that I get to play her. I know how people feel about her as well, so I’m going to do my best.”

Has season 3 finished filming?

Filming began in July 2022, when the official Instagram account shared a video that featured many of our Regency-era favorites and ended on Luke Newton (Colin) and Nicola Coughlan (Penelope) in a carriage. “I spy the makings of a new social season. By the looks of things, it would seem the third installment of Bridgerton is officially underway,” the caption reads. As of January 2023, the series was still in production.

#BookTok fans and savvy readers of the original series by Julia Quinn will immediately recognize the significance of the carriage in the video, as it’s the setting for one of the most scandalous Polin scenes in the book. Nicola previously talked about said carriage, saying, “There’s a scene in the carriage. It’s just if they’re sort of arguing and then it all gets very romantic, shall we say, but I think it will be such a good scene in the show."

“The way I choked on my coffee when she invited him into the carriage xD They knew exactly what they were doing there,” commented one viewer.

TikTok fans have also pointed out that Colin is having main-character glow-up based on what we've seen so far, and the thirst is real. “They’re already clearly positioning this man as the heartthrob of season 3. Guarantee you everyone will be thirsting over him in the same way that people were thirsting over Anthony in season 2 vs. season 1,” explained Cat Quinn, a trend commentator on TikTok.

Quinn's prediction was reaffirmed by none other than Nicola herself, who went on The Kelly Clarkson Show and dropped some hints about said transformation. "People are going to lose their minds when they see him," Nicola emphasized. "The glow-up is gonna be real." Oh??? Well if Nicola is excited, so are we — more #Polin content can't come soon enough.

Are there photos from set?

Yes! Hannah Dodd, Simone Ashley, and Jonathan Bailey were spotted filming in South London in August 2022. While the Bridgerton household backdrop and Francesca and Kate’s Regency-style gowns hint at a family gathering of some sort, the context of the scene remains a mystery.

At the start of the new year, we finally caught a glimpse of leading lady Penelope Featherington at the height of the social season. Per a photo obtained by E! News, Nicola Coughlan was spotted on the Bridgerton set in Bath, England on January 18. The actress is dressed in a bright green frock, with her signature red curls pinned to the top of her head. Penelope’s mother, Lady Portia Featherington (portrayed by Polly Walker), strides ahead of her, presumably into a social gathering of some sort. Fellow partygoers are seen reading Lady Whistledown papers in the background, confirming that our diamond of the season maintains her penchant for gossip.

Do we know any of the episode titles?

In fact, we do. On September 24, Netflix uploaded a“Bridgerton Cast Portrait Challenge” video, in which Luke (Colin) and Claudia (Eloise) draw portraits of each other while discussing the upcoming season. Towards the end, Nicola (Penelope) arrives to deliver the opening season 3 monologue from Lady Whistledown herself, and the first episode title, “Out of the Shadows.”

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