Bridgerton season 3 will focus on Penelope and Colin rather than Benedict, and now, the series’ showrunner explains the decision. Viewers have known since May 2022 that the upcoming season will center around Colin and Penelope’s romance. However, before that, many assumed Benedict would be the main character. This is due to the order of the Bridgerton book series, as the third book focuses on Benedict, while the fourth tells Penelope and Colin’s story. This marks the first time the show has deviated from the order of the books.
In an interview with EW, showrunner Jess Brownell was asked about the assumption that Bridgerton season 3 would in fact go in book order and make Benedict the lead character, as well as why the show’s creative team chose to skip ahead to Penelope and Colin instead. Brownell explained:
Fair assumption, but we’ve spent two seasons really getting to know Pen and Colin. We’ve been watching Pen’s crush and seeing how oblivious Colin is to it. That’s a dynamic that you can only play out for so long before something has to change. This really felt like the right time to lean into what’s been set up with them. On the Benedict side, he’s such a fun character and such a fan favorite that we are really excited to play with him for a little bit more and let him have more fun before he settles down.
Will Bridgerton Season 4 Be About Benedict?
While Brownell’s explanation makes a lot of sense, it doesn’t offer a guarantee Bridgerton season 4 will focus on Benedict. “We are really excited to play with him for a little bit more” is purposefully vague, as it could mean just through season 3 or possibly beyond that. The announcement about Colin and Penelope leading the new season was made quickly after the release of season 2, so viewers likely won’t have to wait too long to find out if Benedict will be the focus of season 4.
Story-wise, it’s one of the most likely options. Of the remaining Bridgerton siblings, only Eloise and Benedict have been shown exploring romance so far. Hyacinth and Gregory have been too young, and Francesca only appeared briefly in the first two seasons, with a new actor, Hannah Dodd, taking over the role for season 3. It’s fair to assume the show will want to establish all three of the younger characters a bit more before they lead a season.
Of Eloise and Benedict, the latter has a slight edge over the former as he’s older, and audiences have already had to wait a bit longer than expected to see his story. However, Benedict and Eloise’s roles in season 3 will offer the biggest clue. Bridgerton season 2 made a point to tee up Colin and Penelope as the new leads, and it seems likely season 3 will do the same with Benedict or Eloise.
Bridgerton
From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.
- Release Date
- December 25, 2020
- Cast
- Will Tilston , Rege-Jean Page , Ruth Gemmell , Luke Thompson , Isabella Cortese , Martins Imhangbe , Julie Andrews , Phoebe Dynevor , Ruby Stokes , Ruby Barker , Claudia Jessie , Adjoa Andoh , Nicola Coughlan , Golda Rosheuvel , Charithra Chandran , Ben Miller , Jonathan Bailey , Florence Hunt , Polly Walker , Shelley Conn , Joanna Bobin , Luke Newton , Simone Ashley
- Genres
- Romance , Drama
- Seasons
- 3
- Creator(s)
- Chris Van Dusen
- Writers
- Julia Quinn , Chris Van Dusen , Jess Brownell , Abby McDonald , Joy C. Mitchell
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Directors
- Tom Verica , Tricia Brock
