Bridgerton season 3 first look as Nicola Coughlan releases steamy new pictures

Bridgerton fans, we finally have a date for season three! Netflix has confirmed that Bridgerton's third season will land in spring 2024. And like the sixth season of The Crown, it will drop in two parts. Part one of Bridgerton season three will arrive on Netflix on 16th May 2024 with part two following on 13th June 2024—almost a month after the first part of the new season. 

And just to add to the excitement, Nicola Coughlan, who plays central character Penelope in the Netflix show, has shared some new (rather exciting) photographs of the cast in action on Instagram. 

The first image shows enjoying some champagne, while the second confirms that we'll be seeing some familiar faces from series two return next year. The third shows a steamy scene between Lord Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma (who are played by Jonathan Bailey and Sex Education star Simone Ashley)—the central love story of the previous season. It's good to know these two are still going strong!

Fans were quick to show their excitement over the new images, with one writing: “I’m beyond ready for this,” while another declared: “I’m exploding with anxiety.” 

Colin and Penelope (already affectionately named 'Polin') are set to be at the centre of the plot of season three, so we'll be expecting to see a lot more pictures of the pair in action as the new season gets closer. 

Nicola also shared another post over the Christmas break, hinting at what's to come for Penelope in season three of Bridgerton. Sharing a poster from the show which shows Penelope looking into an ornate hand mirror with the words alongside 'Even a wallflower can bloom', Nicola wrote: 'Merry Christmas from this soon to be Former Wallflower.' Looks like Penelope is about to have her moment—and we couldn't be more here for it. 

When will Bridgerton season three air? 

Netflix's official Twitter page recently announced the date of the new season with the caption: "Rejoice in this most thrilling news. Bridgerton Season 3 shall debut in two parts: Part 1 on 16 May and Part 2 on 13 June."

The clips show some of the Ton's most famous faces asking after the Bridgerton family, with interest around the identity of the show's secret narrator at an all-time high. 

Needless to say, the news has caused quite a commotion on social, with Bridgerton fans showing their enthusiasm for the new season. One wrote: "YES MA'AM WE'RE READY FOR THIS," while another said, "POLIN SEASON IS COMING". But not everyone was thrilled with the news, with another follower writing: 'I don’t know who told Netflix two parting was a good idea. Does anyone actually like it?'

Bridgerton fans have been eagerly awaiting the news of a season three release date since filming started in July 2022. Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington in the Netflix show, previously told viewers that we wouldn't have to wait too long for the next instalment of everyone's favourite Regency-style romance, telling Virgin Media Television's The Six O'clock Show that it's 'closer than it's ever been'.

Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury in the Netflix show, also revealed in an interview with Hello! in October that while we're having to wait a little longer for the new season when it finally arrives audiences will be "very satisfied". She told the publication: "It's very gratifying because we've held our breath for a long time. Because of the way the year's panned out and that the season's going to come out next year, the anticipation is going to grow and grow. I think people will feel very satisfied."

What will Bridgerton's third season be about? 

In the summer, fans were teased with images from Penelope and Colin—and it's been confirmed that this couple will be at the centre of the plot for season three

"It's finally here - Bridgerton Season Three first look!!" Nicola Coughlan posted to Instagram. "Polin Season is Coming." Unsurprisingly, the images went viral, with over a million likes on the post. 

Each season of Bridgerton focuses on a central love story and for the third instalment, we'll see fan-favourite Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton) take centre stage. 

In series two, we see Penelope give up on her long-standing hope of a romance with Colin after she overhears him telling a group of fellow high society men that he 'would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington'. Ouch. 

But after Colin returns a new man after a summer travelling, the situation takes an unexpected turn as Colin grapples with his true feelings for her. But Penelope now has other things on her mind, including trying to keep her identity as Lady Whistledown under wraps. It's very much giving us some Pride and Prejudice dynamics. 

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope in the series, explained (via Tundum): "I actually felt like it was a very important part of their story as a unit. Because she really had him on such an insane pedestal. She thinks he’s infallible. He’s not. It was very important for him to have this fall from grace with her so that then she can finally see herself [in comparison] as just a worthy human in general."

In an interview earlier this year, Luke teased audiences (via The Sun): “I feel like if you see Penelope fawning over this boy for another season, you’ll be like, ‘Get it together! Come on, move on and get over it’ … I think people are going to be really obsessed. I think book fans are going to be happy.”

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Simone Ashley, who played the lead in Bridgerton's second season as Kate Sharma alongside Jonathan Bailey (who plays Anthony Bridgerton) revealed to E! News that the next chapter will 'get super steamy' before adding that it is 'condensation central'. 

While Penelope and Colin's relationship is the central romance of series three, we'll still see how Kate and Anthony progress, with Simone continuing: "I'm very happy when I'm reading the scripts. When I receive them, I've got a beaming smile on my face."

While the full Bridgerton series three trailer hasn't landed just yet, we're sure it's only a matter of time. 

Will there be a fourth season of Bridgerton?

Bridgerton's season three release date isn't the only good news we've got to share with you - there will also be a fourth season of Bridgerton, too. Back in April 2021, Netflix confirmed (via Lady Whistledown, of course) in a statement that there are two more seasons on the horizon. 

The statement read: "Esteemed members of the Ton, it seems we have a rather special announcement. Bridgerton shall return for seasons three and four. This author shall have to purchase more ink... Yours Truly, Lady Whistledown."

Watch this space for more details on Bridgeton series four...

Bridgerton series one and two are available for streaming on Netflix now