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Great news, dear reader: Bridgerton has been renewed for not one but two more seasons.
Netflix announced that the hit Shonda Rhimes–produced period drama will continue on through Seasons 3 and 4. The decision arrives before Season 2 has even premiered, showing the streamer's confidence in the series.
The creative team behind Bridgerton has "some exciting plans for the future," Netflix's VP of global TV, Bela Bajaria, said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter, "and we think audiences will continue to swoon for this show. We're planning to be in the Bridgerton business for a long time to come."
"This two-season pickup is a strong vote of confidence in our work, and I feel incredibly grateful to have partners as collaborative and creative as Netflix," part of Shonda Rhimes's statement read.
Lady Whistledown just revealed that season 3 is all about her and her love story.
Actress Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, dropped the news during Netflix's FYSEE panel Sunday.
"Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time and I can confirm to you all that season three is Colin and Penelope's love story," she said. "I have kept that secret since two weeks into season two."
During the first two seasons, Penelope makes her love for close friend Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton) clear only to the viewers, yet keeps it quiet from him. But toward the end of season 2 it seems Colin begins to see Penelope with different eyes, as he realizes she's always been there for him.
"There's so much love for that relationship," Newton told Netflix. "Which brings its pressures because there are people that are really excited about this story to come to the forefront. But also it really warms me."
It's a diversion from author Julia Quinn's original timeline, as her third Bridgerton book focuses on Benedict Bridgerton and her fourth on Penelope and Colin. Still, fans will likely not be disappointed, as they have been waiting for a development on the friendship since the start of the show.
"I feel like if you see Penelope fawning over this boy for another season, you'll be like, 'Get it together! Come on, move on and get over it,'" Coughlan said at the panel.
Netflix also confirmed Penelope and Colin's "friendship potentially blooms into something more all while balancing her double life as Lady Whistledown," in season 3.
Right now, it's too early to tell when the next two seasons will be released, as Season 2 just dropped today, March 25, but we have an idea of what the story will focus on if we look to the source material: Julia Quinn's Bridgerton novels.
From the start, the plan for the TV series, created by Chris Van Dusen, was to follow the format of Quinn's novels, which focus on a different Bridgerton sibling with each installment. The first revolves around Daphne (played by Phoebe Dynevor), and the second will center on Lord Anthony (Jonathan Bailey). If all goes according to plan, the third season would follow Benedict (Luke Thompson) and the fourth would follow Colin (Luke Newton).
An Offer From a Gentleman, the third book in the Bridgerton series, takes its inspiration from Cinderella. Sophie Beckett, the daughter of an earl who is disdainfully treated as a servant by her stepmother, sneaks out to Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball. There, she and Benedict become instantly enchanted with one another.
In total, there are eight Bridgerton siblings and eight books. Time will tell if the Netflix series will get eight seasons too.
Jonathan Bailey, aka Anthony Bridgerton, recently confirmed that the cast will return to film season 3 this June, per E! News. Hannah Dodd, who will be replacing Ruby Stokes in the role of Francesca Bridgerton, will also join.
