Finally! After much teasing, a proper trailer for Bridgerton’s third season has arrived, and at nearly three minutes, Netflix is making the most of it.
It is full of Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, determined to marry because she can no longer stand living under her mother’s roof (no judgment, Pen!). In the books, she’s a “mature woman” of about 27 when her love story with Colin Bridgerton occurs, established as a spinster and “on the shelf”, as they say. But here, Penelope can only be like, what, 20? At most? Despite how we think of it now, women in the Regency era were NOT considered spinsters at 20. In fact, most young ladies didn’t marry until their second or third season, which would be around 19-21.
Anyway! They’ve come up with a new scenario for Penelope, driving her to marry in a hurry, but as the ton’s resident wallflower, she needs help. Colin to the rescue, he’s back in town and helping his friend hone her flirting skills so she can find a husband. I am just not super into any version of Colin Bridgerton, but Luke Newton looks suitably dashing—questionable male jewelry choices aside, that RING, Colin, REALLY—and I do love a good yearn. There is lots of YEARNING and even some PINING, and if season three gives us nothing but eight hours of delicious YEARNING and PINING, well, I’d be alright with that.
Other observations! A new Blonde Lord™️ is on the scene, Lord Debling, played by Sam Phillips, also determined to marry and thus, suitable for Penelope. I love that Bridgerton is making a thing of blonde men trying to steal Bridgerton ladies from their dark-haired heroes. Also, the new Francesca is seen, with Hannah Dodd taking over the role from Ruby Stokes. Might we meet John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and his dashing rake cousin, Michael, this season? Francesca’s story is a real heartbreaker, I love it and yet am lowkey dreading it just because, at least for a moment, it’s so genuinely sad.
Back to good vibes only! The Mondrich family is, apparently, still rising in society, and I am actually curious to see what the writers are doing with these characters, invented entirely for the show. And Eloise appears to be friends with CRESSIDA COWPER now, which is just plain mean. Get a new friend if you must, El, but does it have to be literally the worst person in the ton? (Yes, because they’ve decided to make Eloise outright awful, I guess. I always liked Eloise as the sharpest Bridgerton of the bunch, but sharp doesn’t equal mean, you know?) And, finally, more Kate and Anthony CRUMBS because WE DESERVE IT. I said Kanthony rights!
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