After 2 long years in the making, season 3 of the modern period drama Bridgerton has finally graced Netflix’s “esteemed ton”. The show is based on the novel series by Julia Quinn, this season aligning with “Romancing Mister Bridgerton”, focused around Penelope and Colin.
After an immensely successful second season of reported 656 million viewing hours, fans were ecstatic to see their favorite characters return [1]. Throughout the past few months, both Netflix and cast members have dropped trailers and teasers, exemplifying the glow up of the main characters. As the show has a modern take on casting and historical accuracy, the same can be applied to the makeup looks for the cast. Director John Glaser states, “the show is a fantasy -it’s not a history lesson”. Nicola Coughlan’s, who plays Penelope Featherington, makeup designer states they “wanted to create a siren” [3], adjusting her childish rounded makeup to have a sharper accentuation of her cheeks and jaw.
While the main characters revitalize their wardrobe and looks, many critics have disapproved of the storyline’s similarity to the past two seasons of the “forbidden love trope”. Between Daphne and Simon’s friendship, Anthony’s engagement with Kate’s sister, and Eloise and Theo’s social clash -Penelope and Colin’s story simply seems to be a retelling.
Moreover, the myriad of the season’s new plot points has led to greater dissatisfaction. Season 3 is bombarded with the Mondrage’s new rise to nobility, the Featherington’s inability to produce an heir, and new characters. Our newest debutant, Francesca Bridgerton is criticized for being portrayed with “the personality of a teaspoon” [5] as she lacks the multifaceted aspects that characters such as our previous diamonds had before. Season 1’s Daphne was depicted as a society spectacle who quickly grew to assert her vision of her future. Similarly, Season 2’s characters not only brought new cultures to the show, but portrayed the duality of being both innocent and headstrong.
Other new characters such as Tilly Arnold, Benedict’s latest love interest, have been condemned for their inaccuracy to the novels. Many book fans have questioned whether this new character will immensely shift the upcoming story for Benedict as Arnold never existed in the books. Regardless of how underdeveloped, viewers find that among the amalgamation of plot points their main characters have been left with so little screen time. Various reviews find that the main couple’s storyline is majorly underdeveloped as viewers still question: who is the real Colin? Due to Colin’s new facade of charm and limited screen time, fans feel that Bridgerton is “losing its lusty spark” to keep the viewers invested in the couple’s own relationship [4].
There is still hope for Bridgerton to keep its “bite” on its storyline as Netflix has decided to split the season into two parts: the first half being released on May 16, and the second on June 13th [6]. Until the next release date in June, the Netflix series can only hope to retain viewer engagement from its “dearest gentle readers”.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomnunan/2021/01/27/bridgerton-makes-history-on-netflix-with-82-million-viewers-100-million-shonda-rhimes-gamble-pays-off/?sh=243a08f87de4
[2] https://fashionista.com/2024/05/bridgerton-season-3-costumes-outfits-fashion
[3] https://slate.com/culture/2024/05/bridgerton-season-3-glow-up-hair-makeup-penelope-colin-nicola-coughlan-luke-newton-netflix.html
[4] https://www.avclub.com/bridgerton-season-3-review-tv-netflix-nicola-coughlan-1851461776
[5] https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/bridgerton-season-3-review-part-one-nicola-coughlan-b1157702.html
[6] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0v0ep825zqo