When is Bridgerton season 3 being released?

Fetch our finest jewels and put on your best dress because Netflix will soon be giving us an extra helping of Bridgerton.

This high-society drama is based on the novel series of the same name by author Julia Quinn and brought to streaming via screenwriter Chris Van Dusen and Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland production company.

Set in the social circles of Regency-era London, an upper-class world known as the ‘Ton,’ it follows members of the Bridgerton family as they search for love and strive to avoid scandal.

Last year, Netflix delivered the very first franchise spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story which followed a younger version of Golda Rosheuvel’s Charlotte, played by India Amarteifio.

Read more: Where does Queen Charlotte fit in the Bridgerton timeline?

Its success has only amplified viewers' appetite for more aristocratic action - so with that in mind, here’s everything we know so far about Bridgerton season three so far.

When is Bridgerton season 3 being released?

Brigderton season 3 will be released in two parts, with the first half coming out on 16 May, and the second being released on 13 June. The two parts will feature four episodes each, and an announcement video was released in December 2023 to confirm the show's return in two parts.

Watch the announcement trailer below:

The show was renewed for both a third and a fourth season in April 2021. First look images for the new season were revealed at Netflix's TUDUM fan event, with viewers getting their first glimpse at Penelope and Colin in the forthcoming episodes.

During the Christmas break Netflix released new images from the series in anticipation of its return in 2024, marking the show's debut in 2020 at the same time.

The images showed the Bridgerton family and Penelope in the next chapter of their lives, and also gave viewers their first look at Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton after taking over the role from Ruby Stokes.

What is Bridgerton season 3 about?

Screenwriter Jess Brownell will take over show running duties from Van Dusen for Bridgerton's third and fourth outings, with the former set to follow the relationship of Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton).

This switch-up marks a deviation from the order of Quinn’s books, with Penelope and Colin’s story originally appearing in the fourth Bridgerton novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, and not the third, An Offer From A Gentleman.

Read more: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story review

Despite a main story point in Quinn’s fourth book involving Penelope losing weight and undergoing a makeover, previous showrunner Van Dusen dismissed the idea that the series will follow the same narrative by explaining: “We think that Penelope is beautiful, and I don’t think it’s really a part of her story.”

The series' official synopsis instead points towards Penelope looking for new love after she gave up on the pursuit of her long-time crush Colin when she overheard him saying he had no interest in courting her during season two.

The plot description continues, adding: "She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters."

When Colin returns from his travels, Penelope is quick to give him the cold shoulder until he spies a way to win back her friendship: “Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season," says Netflix.

An additional plot description shared by film critic Meghan O’Keefe on Twitter, further elaborated further on what fans can expect.

It read: "But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly. Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope's growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret."

Meanwhile, Penelope’s real-life counterpart, Coughlan, has teased plenty of good stuff for long-time fans of the show, saying: ​​"I think people are going to be really obsessed. I think book fans are going to be happy.”

Elsewhere, the show is expected to explore some of the fallout from previous series, including Eloise’s (Claudia Jessie) discovery that Penelope is actually Lady Whistledown and the financial ruin of the Featherdowns following a brush with fraudster cousin Jack (Rupert Young).

Who will star in Bridgerton season 3?

Plenty of familiar faces will be returning for Bridgerton season three, including Jonathan Bailey as Anthony, Adjoa Andoh’s Lady Danbury, Harriet Cains as Philippa Finch, Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper, Polly Walker’s Portia, Emma Naomi’s Alice Mondrich and Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton.

Hannah Dodd takes over the role of Francesca Bridgerton from Lockwood & Co’s Ruby Stokes and Simone Ashley will be back as new Lady of the House, Kate. New images from season 3 revealed that Anthony and Kate's marriage will also be an important part of the story in the forthcoming episodes.

Meanwhile, Black Sails star Hannah New joins the show as Lady Tilley Arnold, a character described as a “firebrand” widow with money to burn.

Phoebe Dynevor, who played eldest Bridgerton sibling Daphne, will not be returning but hasn’t ruled out an possible appearance in future seasons.

Hugh Sachs, Bessie Carter, Ruth Gemmell, Golda Rosheuvel, Claudia Jessie and Martins Imhangbe are all set to return to the show too.

During a London-based fan event, we received details of some episode titles, with the new series first three episodes named "Out of the Shadows," "Bright of the Moon" and "Forces of Nature."

The same event revealed that Netflix will be hosting a special Bridgerton-themed wedding for some lucky fans - although no further details on that glitzy affair have been revealed just yet.

Is there a trailer for Bridgerton season 3?

The official full-length trailer for Bridgerton arrived in early April, reuniting viewers with their favourite show and teasing a new romance that's about to heat up.

Hit play above to watch it for yourself.

Before this trailer arrived, Netflix released a couple of short clips featuring charged moments between Colin Bridgerton and Miss Penelope Featherington.

The latest was unveiled during a fan event in February 2024 and sees Penelope ask Colin why he refuses to chase after her. Watch it below:

The second was released on X in early February and amped up the tension between the pair.

Bridgerton season 3 part 1 will be released in 16 May, followed by part 2 on 13 June