Even though we’ve waited a long time, Bridgerton season 3 is finally on its way beginning on May 16. Polin is coming! After two seasons of gorgeously produced Regency-era romantic drama, we absolutely know what we want to see in Bridgerton season 3.
Bridgerton isn’t just a television show, though. Besides what we’ve seen on screen so far, we also have to consider the book series it’s based on. Especially Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, the installment that season 3 will adapt. It is the fourth book in the series but it has been moved forward so that Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington’s (Nicola Coughlan) love story will take center stage.
Between those two sources, fans have no shortage of hopes and dreams (or fantasies?) about what would make Bridgerton Season 3 satisfying to watch. Two clips have already been released, and one of them gave us Pen calling Colin “Mr. Bridgerton” and then letting him know she heard what he said last season. That was big. When we see Colin and Penelope’s love story unfold, here’s what else we want.
1. The Carriage Scene
Let’s start with the scene that is one of book fan’s favorites. And it’s probably the most likely scene to be included in the show. That’s because it’s a combination of Colin finding out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown and a hot and heavy makeout session.
Drama and sexy times, in other words. And isn’t that exactly what Shondaland has emphasized on this show? They won’t be able to resist it. We do have concerns about Colin’s reaction to Pen being Lady Whistledown, however.
The writers have made that situation so much worse in the show and Eloise’s reaction was NOT it. We expect anger from him at first but hope for enough grace to let Pen explain. Then get that carriage rocking! Bonus points if Colin’s dirty talk makes it into the scene (or in the show anywhere, really!).
2. Colin Maturing
Our favorite thing about Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is how Colin Bridgerton matures into someone who can finally connect his emotional affection for Penelope into physical attraction. It’s an excellent foundation for a friends-to-lovers romance. If the show presents this well, it will flesh out Colin as a character.
We’ll be more familiar with who he is. And it will also make him a dynamic character. This will make the central romance more effective. Each season features one Bridgerton sibling falling in love, and this season is Colin’s turn.
The strength of his characterization will be important. The growth we’ll see as he goes from oblivious to Colin “My Wife” Bridgerton will be wonderful to witness.
3. Colin vs Portia
The funniest scene in the book is the one that leads up to this confrontation. Colin is trying to ask permission to marry Penelope but her mother thinks he’s interested in younger daughter Felicity. Since Felicity doesn’t exist on the show, this scene would have to be a bit different but the meaningful core of it can still be there.
Portia (Polly Walker) is insultingly obtuse about Colin’s interest because she doesn’t believe anyone could want Penelope but Colin sets her straight. He insists that Pen is who he chooses. “She’s lovely and intelligent and has a fine sense of humor. Who wouldn’t want to marry a woman like that?” he says. It’s wonderful.
Moreover, his suggestion that Mrs. Featherington treat her daughter with respect is just as swoon-worthy. And the humor is classic Featherington silliness. The rom-com tone for season 3 won’t be complete without this scene.
4. The Mirror Scene
Technically, this is not an actual scene in the book. Shortly before their first time, Colin tells Penelope that he wants to try in front of a mirror in the future. Author Julia Quinn never included it, but the show now has the opportunity to add it. And they should.
The reason fans love the prospect of this scene is because of the motivation behind it. Penelope has never felt that she was conventionally attractive but this scene would be about Colin encouraging her to see herself the way he sees her.
With only one sex scene in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, this addition would increase the erotic content that this show is known for. Centering a plus-sized woman in a scene like this would also be groundbreaking.
5. Happy Kanthony
Many book fans were disappointed by season 2. Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) have a love story for the ages in the second Bridgerton book and Shondaland ignored a great deal of it. They tried to create a love triangle where there was none with Kate’s sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran).
Anthony and Kate barely had time to enjoy their happy ending. Since Anthony is the head of the Bridgerton family, he and Kate will appear in season 3, so we want happiness for them.
Just steady, strong happiness with no drama between them. They can support Anthony’s siblings through whatever happens with them but the hard part of their story is over. Give them the joy they deserve.
6. Polin Wedding
One source of dissatisfaction with season 2 was that viewers didn’t get to see Anthony and Kate’s wedding. We got an almost wedding between Anthony and Edwina instead. We don’t want to contemplate a repeat of this mistake.
So, show us Colin and Penelope’s nuptials! Make it a part of really selling the romance of season 3. Simon was reluctant about marrying anyone and Anthony was walking down the aisle to the wrong person. Colin will be the first male Bridgerton lead we’ll see who’s happy to be getting married. Let the audience see that.
This can also be a sequence where those incredible production values get to really shine. Beautiful costumes and music will only make the emotions of the event more beautiful.
7. Peneloise Reconciliation
Penelope was devastated at the end of season 2 in more ways than one. The fight with her best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) was painful. Shondaland villainized Pen by having her write things as Lady Whistledown that hurt the Bridgertons and Eloise figured it out. None of this happens in the novels.
There are no hurtful Lady Whistledown columns about the Bridgertons and Eloise reacts positively when she learns the truth. This change really felt like drama for the sake of drama.
Now, the show has the chance to bring Pen and Eloise back together and repair their friendship. When they reconcile, it will be almost as satisfying as Colin and Penelope’s love story. So make them friends again! Their falling out was terrible to watch; their reunion should be the opposite.
8. More of Benedict
Shondaland’s decision to switch the order of the books was a surprise. Fans of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and his love story with Sophie Beckett were understandably not happy. The fact that the show has done a good job presenting Benedict’s character made it even worse.
We all like Benedict and want to spend more time with him. We hope the writers give him something to do that keeps the audience interested in him and sets up his character for his own love story (which we hope will happen in Season 4 so he is not skipped again).
The casting of this show has been spot-on for every role, and that includes Thompson as Benedict. Take advantage of that and give him some impactful screen time. And if they want to give us a glimpse of Sophie too, we won’t be mad about it.
9. Francesca and John…and Michael?
With so many Bridgerton siblings, Francesca kind of got lost in the shuffle during the first two seasons. Season 3 will feature a new actress playing her, Hannah Dodd, and would be the perfect time to dramatize the background of her love story.
Francesca marries John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, but he tragically dies young. She later falls in love with his cousin Michael, who has always been in love with her. Their romance is in book six of the series When He Was Wicked. If the show wants a similar chronology, then now is the time for her to debut in society and marry John.
Make us like John so that the emotion of her later love story pays off. Since Michael and Francesca meet at her wedding to John, we’ll delude ourselves with hope that we might see Michael this season as well.
10. Colin’s Public Love Declaration
The angst that comes from Colin’s near-constant friend-zoning of Penelope is considerable. Counteracting that is important. It wouldn’t make narrative sense if Pen immediately believed it when Colin finally shows romantic interest in her.
She’ll need to be convinced, and this moment is one great way to do that. The book ends with this moment, as Colin tells the ton how much he loves his wife. This would be amazing on screen.
He can do other things to prove to Pen that he loves and desires her, but this moment is a grand gesture that will translate like a dream visually. And if Pen’s Season 1 words about declaring your love “assuredly, fervently, loudly” are referenced, well, we just might die from romance overload.
Does it seem like we want a lot from Bridgerton season 3? Well, we just want a satisfying romance for Colin and Penelope, with subplots for the other characters that make sense. We don’t think that’s asking too much!
Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Netflix.
