"Bridgerton" Season 3 Might Be Coming in 2024 — Here's What We Know

Netflix shared a sneak peek in September 2022 that previews some of Lady Whistledown's thoughts on the events that will unfold. In her first column of the season, Coughlan's Whistledown hints that not all ladies shine like diamonds, but they can still command a room. "Dearest gentle reader, we've been apart for far too long," she reads. "At last, London's smart set has made its return, and so too has this author. As the season begins, the question on everyone's minds is, of course, which newly minted debutante will shine the brightest? The crop this year appears to be dazzling indeed. Unfortunately, not every young lady can attract the light."

On July 20, Netflix announced that filming had begun. In a video, members of the cast — including Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, and Adjoa Andoh — held up two fingers and then added a third to signify they have transitioned from season two to three. The clip ended with Newton and Coughlan climbing into a carriage together — an Easter egg for book readers.

We know that season three will cover Penelope and Colin's love story, which Quinn wrote about in her novel "Romancing Mister Bridgerton." But the soon-to-be lovers are in quite a different situation on the TV show than they were in the books. Book readers didn't find out that Penelope was Lady Whistledown until book four, while TV watchers have known since season one. In the books, Penelope has kept everyone from finding out the truth. In the show, Eloise (Claudia Jessie) knows, and their friendship has fallen apart because of it.

In the books, Eloise doesn't learn Penelope was Lady Whistledown until well after Penelope and Colin are wed. The TV show also added the season one plot involving Colin, Marina, and Penelope, which doesn't exist at all in the books. All this is to say that how the show chooses to get Colin and Penelope to their happily ever after will be a surprise for both book readers and casual viewers alike.

One aspect of the story fans don't have to worry about is the book's controversial Penelope glow-up, which leads to Colin seeing Pen in a romantic light. In the book, this change is mostly attirbuted to Penelope losing weight. Coughlan revealed to Variety in June 2022 that the show's version of the character's glow-up will be about her coming into her own strength, and the only major change in her appearance will involve her over-the-top dresses being dialed back a bit. "I think the glow-up is going to be more to do with the costumes," Coughlan said. "I think it's not going to be like this insane physical transformation."

There's also the chance we'll see more of the other siblings' love lives this season, too. With news that the show has recast the role of Francesca, it's possible it will include the story of Francesca meeting and marrying her first husband, which is not the plot of her novel "When He Was Wicked." Plus, "Queen Charlotte" set up that Lady Violet will be looking for some love — and lust — of her own this time around.

It also sounds like Lady Danbury will receive some more development in the new seasons. "There's always a wider expanse of who the characters are that will certainly be true for Lady Danbury, a more complex leaning into what their history is," Andoh told Digital Spy. "Obviously, if people watch 'Queen Charlotte,' they'll have a stronger sense of Lady Danbury's backstory, and that will absolutely inform what you see on screen in season three."

Most of the main second-season cast will be returning for season three. Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan will take the lead as Colin and Penelope, respectively. The rest of the cast includes Ruth Gemmell (Violet), Luke Thompson (Benedict), Claudia Jessie (Eloise), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), and Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury). Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) and Simone Ashley (Kate) are also returning. Famously, season one leading man Regé-Jean Page (Simon) departed the series after just one season, and Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne) has also shared she won't be returning for season three.

Another season two cast member who's not returning is Charithra Chandran, who plays Edwina Sharma. She told Indian Express in August 2022 that she was not on set for the third season.

Ahead of the beginning of filming for season three, Netflix announced that the role of Francesca, previously played by Ruby Stokes, will now be played by Hannah Dodd. On July 20, the streamer announced a trio of new characters: Daniel Francis will play Marcus Anderson, Sam Phillips will play Lord Debling, and James Phoon will play Harry Dankworth.

Another new face joining the season three cast is Hannah New, best known as the leading lady of Starz's "Black Sails." Per Deadline, the actor will portray Lady Tilley Arnold, a firebrand widow who "enjoys the privileges and power that come with being at the helm of her former husband's estate, living life on her own terms with financial independence and sexual freedom."

Nothing has officially been announced as far as the episode count of season three. However, both the first and second seasons ran for eight episodes each. It seems pretty safe to say, then, that season three will also have eight episodes, each approximately an hour long. Meanwhile, the premiere episode will be entitled "Out of the Shadows."