‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Drops Valentine’s Day Clip: Colin and Penelope’s Slow Burn Romance Heats Up in Part 1

It’s Lady Whistledown’s turn to find love. Netflix has released a new clip from the first part of “Bridgerton” Season 3, debuting May 16 on the streamer.

In keeping with the formula of previous seasons and the Julia Quinn novels they’re adapted from, this coming edition will follow the romantic journey of a new sibling in the elite Bridgerton clan in 19th century England. Season 3 turns to the third eldest sibling, Colin (Luke Newton), and his love interest Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), who is part of the neighboring Featherington family.

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In the new clip, debuted at a “Bridgerton” fan event in London, U.K. attended by Quinn and executive producer Shonda Rhimes, Lady P. finally confronts Colin about his reluctance to court her. “Because I embarrass you, of course you would never court me,” she tells him, with tears in her eyes.

As shown in Seasons 1 and 2, the demure Penelope harbors a longtime crush on Colin, though he is largely oblivious to her feelings for him. Season 3, which will drop in two parts (the second on June 13), promises progression in their slow burn friends-to-lovers arc.

Rhimes and Quinn confirmed during a panel at the event that a fan-favorite moment from the books — in which Penelope wraps Colin’s hand after he cuts it — will be included in the screen adaptation.

The fan event also saw Netflix unveil episode titles and new stills from the show, plus the streamer revealed plans to host a “Bridgerton”-themed wedding for some lucky fans. The first three episodes are titled “Out of the Shadows,” “How Bright the Moon” and “Forces of Nature.”

Part of the Season 3 synopsis reads, “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.”

Penelope also happens to be the secret identity behind local gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, and the best friend of Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), though Season 2 left their relationship in need of mending.

In addition to Newton, Coughlan and Jessie, the main cast includes returning actors Luke Thompson, Jonathan Bailey, Hannah Dodd, Florence Hunt and Will Tinston as the other Bridgerton siblings and Ruth Gemmell as their mother. Phoebe Dynevor, who was the focus of Season 1 as Daphne Bridgerton opposite Regé-Jean Page, will not return for Season 3.

The rest of the main cast includes Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Lorraine Ashbourne, Simone Ashley, Harriet Cains, Bessie Carter, Jessica Madsen, Martins Imhangbe, Polly Walker, Julie Andrews, Hugh Sachs, Emma Naomi and Kathryn Drysdale. Joining the cast this season are Daniel Francis, James Phoon and Sam Phillips.

“Bridgerton” is produced by Shondaland. Jess Brownell serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer for Season 3. Additional executive producers include Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers, Tom Verica and Chris Van Dusen.

Watch the new clip below.

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