Lady Whistledown will write again. Netflix announced on Tuesday, April 13 that it renewed Bridgerton for a third and fourth season—just as the highly anticipated season 2 begins filming in the
U.K.
Bridgerton is based on a series of eight novels (and multiple “epilogues”) written by Julia Quinn and adapted for Netflix by Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland productions. They follow the Bridgerton family, comprised of widowed matriarch Violet (Ruth Gemmell) and her eight children, as they seek marriage matches in Regency England’s high society. The first season, which premiered Dec. 25, 2020, broke Netflix viewing records as it followed eldest daughter Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevor) search for a husband, and her unexpected connection with the dashing Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page).
Season 2 is currently filming and will depict Viscount Anthony Bridgerton’s (Jonathan Bailey) pursuit of a wife. And Netflix has full plans to continue the story far beyond these four installments.
“Bridgerton swept us off our feet,” Netflix VP of Global TV Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “The creative team, led by Shonda, knew the material and delivered a beautiful, emotional, romantic drama for our members. They have some exciting plans for the future, 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.”
That’s also clear from recent news that Netflix is also giving Golda Rosheuvel’s Queen Charlotte her own spinoff prequel.
So, what’s in store for seasons three and four? The Bridgerton books could provide a clue…
Potential spoilers below.
Season 3: Benedict and Sophie
Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) takes center stage in book three, titled An Offer From a Gentleman. This story pulls heavily from Cinderella lore: Benedict falls for one Sophie Beckett, an earl’s daughter forced into servitude by her hateful stepmother.
On May 14, Netflix announced Jess Brownell will take over as Bridgerton showrunner for seasons 3 and 4.
Season 4: Colin and…Penelope
This one is for fans of the long game. Book four, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, chronicles the burgeoning romance between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), aka Lady Whistledown.
One thing we know almost for certain is we likely won’t see the Duke of Hastings again anytime soon. Page departed Bridgerton after his season 1 run, citing his completed arc and one-season commitment to the series. “It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end—give us a year,” Page said of the decision. “I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”
Read the Books that Inspired ‘Bridgerton’
