Dearest members of the Ton, we are flailing in a manner most unbecoming a gentleman or lady this morning because Netflix finally unveiled the first footage from Bridgerton Season 3. We’ve waited literally years to watch what happens when Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) finally makes her move on long-time crush Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). Would it be awkward? Would the chemistry be there? Well, judging by the first Bridgerton Season 3 “Sneak Peek,” Penelope and Colin have crackling chemistry that mixes the hot and heavy horn factor Bridgerton‘s famous for with good, old-fashioned rom-com timing. To put it simply, we can’t wait to binge Bridgerton Season 3.
Bridgerton is Netflix and Shondaland’s adaptation of Regency romance author Julia Quinn’s addictive Bridgerton books. Each book follows the love life of a different Bridgerton sibling and, so far, each season of the Netflix series has followed suit. In Bridgerton Season 3, the focus shifts to Colin Bridgerton, who has run away from the pressures of London society by traveling the world. Upon his return home, he reconnects with long-time friend and neighbor Penelope Featherington, unaware that she once harbored a deep love for him or that she has an even deeper secret. (Penelope is actually the acid-quilled gossip writer Lady Whistledown.)
Netflix and Shondaland have already revealed that Colin will offer to help Penelope catch a decent husband in Bridgerton Season 3. The first Bridgerton Season 3 clip seemingly offers a glimpse of these “lessons.”
Penelope earnestly tells Colin, “Your eyes are the most remarkable shade of blue, yet somehow they shine even brighter when you are being kind.”
Colin seems swept up by her words until Penelope attempts to cover up her feelings. They both grapple for glasses at the same time as Pen says, “I might say something like that if you were a suitor.”
Colin collects himself by downing a drink and says, “Well, that was rather direct.”
The scene ends with chatter from outside of the Bridgerton parlor — probably Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and one or more of her daughters? — shattering the moment.
Of course, this wasn’t the only snippet of Bridgerton Season 3 footage fans got today. Netflix also teased a scene where Colin visits Penelope at night in their big 2024 teaser. They both look fixated on each other and Penelope’s hair is down, her breathing heavy. (It’s a live action version of the promotional still seen above.)
Our big takeaway from this Bridgerton Season 3 footage? Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton definitely have the on-screen chemistry to convincingly push Penelope and Colin’s relationship out of the friendzone and into steamy sex scene territory. We’re kind of overwhelmed by the way that Newton simply looks at Coughlan. It’s not just that Colin finally seems to notice Penelope, but that he’s utterly captivated by her. That, plus Penelope’s emerging confidence, has got us all in a tizzy, counting down the days until Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 premieres on Netflix on May 16, 2024.
If you can’t wait that long for more Bridgerton Season 3, you can still RSVP for a virtual fan event on Valentine’s Day, February 14, with stars and surprises and an extended first look at the new season.
Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 premieres on May 16 and Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 will arrive a month later on June 13.
