Bridgerton 3 Netflix: plot, cast, review of the first 4 episodes

There are only 4, but they are intense. And they leave us with a question which, if we think about it, does not have such an obvious answer. We are talking, logically, about most anticipated TV series of the spring. The third season of which we have been waiting for two years: Bridgerton.

At 9 am on May 16, 2024 the wait is over. Netflix has put online i first 4 episodes which make up the third season of the TV series based on the saga of novels by Julia Quinn. Is that Shonda Rhimes turned them into a global success by transporting them to the small screen. If the first two seasons were handled by Chris Van Dusen (who remains as producer), from this year the scepter of command has passed to Jess Brownell.

Netflix has decided to divide the season into two parts. The first, composed of 4 episodes (which last from 52 to 58 minutes) is available from May 16th. The other 4, however, with the conclusion of the story, will be available from Thursday June 13 (5-8).

The choice, now increasingly frequent, arises from the streaming platform’s refusal to release one episode per week (like other streamers, from Disney + to Prime Video) of the most followed series. But for avoid compulsive binge (i.e. seeing all the episodes one after the other) and “burning” the title too quickly, it was decided to break up the seasons. And thus prolong the life of the series, the result of long work.

As producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers explained, to create a series as complex as Bridgerton It takes a really, really long time. «There are a lot of characters, there are a lot of complications and it’s a very complex story to weave. The writing and meticulousness of the process obviously takes time».

London is repopulated: it stands for start the new season. Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), after hearing Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) disparaging words towards her, has finally made two decisions. The first is to put aside forever the crush she has had on him for years. The second is find a husband. One that guarantees her enough independence to continue hers double life as Lady Whistledown, away from his mother and sisters. But the lack of self-esteem causes his attempts to marry to fail spectacularly.

In the meantime Colin is back from his summer travels with a new look and a very bold attitude. But he is shocked to find that Penelope, the one person who has always appreciated him the way he was, is actually avoiding him. Eager to regain his friendship, Colin offers to mentor her to help her find self-confidence and therefore a husband.

But when his lessons start to take a turn for the worse even too positive effect, Colin is forced to wonder if his feelings for the girl are really just friendly. To complicate things for Penelope, the girl intervenes break with Eloise (Claudia Jessie). Who has found a new friend in a truly unsuspecting person. All while maintaining his alter ego is secret by Lady Whistledown gets harder with each passing day.

As widely announced, Phoebe Dynevor, aka Daphne Bridgerton, is not present in this series. As far as we know, she is happily living her romance with the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) away from London. Also the involvement (at least in these first episodes) of Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashelyor the protagonists of the love story of the second season, is limited to the first episode.

For the rest, let’s meet again all our most beloved characters. In addition to the two protagonists of this season Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington) and Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), we find the Bridgerton family made up of Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton). Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton), Will Tilston (Gregory Bridgerton), Florence Hunt (Hyacinth Bridgerton).

The Featherington family also returns, consisting of Polly Walker (Portia Featherington), Harriet Cains (Philippa Featherington) and Bessie Carter (Prudence Featherington). It’s still Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury). And, in the original version, Julie Andrews (the voice of Lady Whistledown).

There are three new figures who enter the circle in which the Bridgertons and their friends move. Lord Alfred Debling, played by Sam Phillips, is a brilliant nobleman with unusual interests. But with his wealth and title as a counterbalance to his quirks – he’s a vegetarian naturalist – he’s sure to pique the interest of young women this season. In particular our Penelope and Cressida (Jessica Madsen), who is also struggling with a secret.

Harry Dankworth is played by James Phoon. What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence he more than makes up for in his remarkable good looks. And he seems seriously in love (who would have thought!) with Prudence Featherington (Bessie Carter), the Featheringtons’ older sister. Finally, there is the mysterious Lord Marcus Anderson, played by Daniel Francis. A charismatic man who lights up every room with his presence, attracting the attention of some high society matriarchs and the ire of others. But what is this country nobleman hiding?

The anticipation for this third season was sky high. Bridgerton it became that guilty pleasure where even those who say they have never seen even one episode are lying. There Penelope’s story it is, perhaps, the most delicate and difficult to tell. True to its mantra, the series makesinclusiveness its central point. And if, as last year’s actresses of Indian origin said, growing up there were no child protagonists on TV like them, well, there never were like Penelope either.

Who is often sincere and ruthless in analyzing her situation. She is doubly tragic: she is in love with a man who doesn’t look at her and has lost her best friend. Yet, she tells us this fairy tale, we are all worthy of love. Just look up and dare a little more.

Well done Nicola Coughlan, but we had already noticed his talent Derry Girl (if you haven’t seen it, catch up on this other series on Netflix!). Able to show without pity the desperation of a young woman who, by not adapting to the standards imposed by society, is excluded from it. Let’s wait for the other 4 episodes to see all those intimate and passionate scenes that Coughlan and Newton promised us.