Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, the Regency drama Bridgerton’s executive producers, have hinted what viewers may anticipate from Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) in the upcoming Season 3 of Bridgerton. Each season of Bridgerton follows a different member of the titular noble family as they navigate London high society in search of love. The show is based on Julia Quinn’s Regency-period romance novels of the same name.
Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page played Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, respectively, in the first season. Jonathan Bailey played Anthony in the second season, who was involved in a turbulent love triangle with the sisters Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran). The third season of Bridgerton, which began filming earlier this year, will jump ahead and adapt Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the fourth book in Quinn’s series, which centres on the relationship between the third Bridgerton son, Colin, and Penelope Featherington.
Although the youngest Featherington daughter has always had a crush on the Bridgerton guy, the series has so far shown Colin and Penelope as childhood friends. The two are anticipated to transition from being friends to lovers in Season 3. Rhimes and Beers hinted at Colin’s development and his romance with Penelope in season 3 in their new novel, Inside Bridgerton, via Entertainment Weekly, Both of the executive producers from Bridgerton mentioned Colin’s goals and driving forces.
Rhimes said, “He keeps finding himself trying to save women that’s his instinct, he thinks that’s what will deliver his purpose. He really is in love with the idea of doing the right thing more than the thing itself. But I do love him for it, this fixation on honor. I think it’s very interesting.” Beers commented on this by saying, “He’s in a tough spot, being the third son. In a world where you only need an heir and a spare, Colin doesn’t know where he fits and he’s constantly looking to transform himself. He wants to be a savior, to be gallant. I don’t know if that’s a reverberation from being too young to do anything to help his dad or his mom, but he has a strong instinct to rescue the damsel in distress. You can really see his chest swell when he rescues the Featheringtons.“
Newton, who plays Colin on the show, has something to say about Colin’s persona and obsession with standing out from his brothers. He said, “I think he’s drawn to the idea of not being like every other Bridgerton, of distinguishing himself and not doing exactly what’s expected of him.” The actor continues by stating that Marina Thompson is appealing to his on-screen counterpart primarily due to the naughtiness of the affair and his ambition to be a man.
There aren’t many clues on how Colin’s desire to be a man and a saviour would affect his relationship with Penelope. Fans should not have to wait too long to learn their destiny, as the cast is already filming the third season. The good news is that the Bridgerton-verse is growing thanks to the prequel story Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, even though a release date for Bridgerton season three is still pending.