‘Bridgerton’ Seasons 3 & 4: Get Ready for Penelope, Colin, and Benedict to Shine

This morning Bridgerton fans were greeted with the enchanting news that Netflix has renewed the hit series for Seasons 3 and 4. This is doubly exciting considering Bridgerton Season 2 is still in production. However, hardcore fans of author Julia Quinn’s novels know that the best — and juiciest — Bridgerton storylines are yet to come. Which is why we’re not only thrilled, but kind of relieved, that Netflix has committed to Bridgerton through Season 4. That means that at least two of the best romances in the entire series will make it to the screen and we couldn’t be more buzzed.

Netflix’s Bridgerton follows the fortunes of the Bridgerton siblings as they attempt to find true love in the very unromantic marriage mart of Regency London. Season 1 of the series was based in huge part on Julia Quinn’s first Bridgerton book, The Duke and I. We watched as debutante Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) took her fortunes into her own hands and staged a fake romance with the handsome Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) in order to draw the attention of suitors and the admiration of the mysterious gossip writer Lady Whistledown. While Daphne and her Duke ultimately achieve their own happily ever after, the series leaves the fates of her seven siblings up in the air.

Bridgerton Season 2 is set up to follow Daphne’s heartbroken eldest brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) as he tries to coldly land a match. So what will Bridgerton Seasons 3 and 4 be about? Here’s what you need to know about what to expect in Bridgerton Seasons 3 and 4, based on the books and with as few major spoilers as possible. (There will be some Bridgerton spoilers, so read at your own risk!)

WHAT WILL BRIDGERTON SEASON 3 ON NETFLIX BE ABOUT? ALL ABOUT BRIDGERTON BOOK 3: AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN

If Bridgerton continues to follow the pattern of basing the main plot of each season on the next book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, then Bridgerton Season 3 will focus on the events of An Offer From a Gentleman.

An Offer From a Gentleman is all about Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), the second eldest sibling. As second-born son, he hasn’t been saddled with the same responsibilities as older brother Anthony and therefore harbors dreams of being a great artist. Bridgerton Season 1 has already introduced Benedict’s artistic ambitions, and it’s possible that Bridgerton Season 2 might introduce Benedict’s big love interest early, too.

An Offer From a Gentleman opens on the Cinderella-like story of Sophia “Sophie” Beckett. Sophie is an Earl’s bastard daughter who was meant to be raised as his ward. When he dies, his vindictive wife reduces Sophie’s station to that of lady’s maid for her and her own two daughters. One night, though, Sophie sneaks out in a ballgown and attends a masquerade at Bridgerton house. Though she means to just enjoy the night in the shadows, she is soon spotted by a smitten Benedict.

While you might think this has a pretty obvious happily ever after — you know, because Benedict is a pretty open-minded romantic sort — it doesn’t. Sophie’s stepmother discovers her ruse and turns her out on the street. Worse, Sophie is accused of theft, which can be a hanging crime in this time. So Sophie is on the run and Benedict has no idea what happened to the glittering maiden he met.

It’s worth noting that the main plot of An Offer From a Gentleman takes place a few years after the ball. So we could easily see Benedict and Sophie’s meeting at the end of Bridgerton Season 2…setting up the main events of Bridgerton Season 3. (At least that’s how I would plot it, but I’m just a TV critic. So what do I know?)

WHAT WILL BRIDGERTON SEASON 4 ON NETFLIX BE ABOUT? ALL ABOUT BRIDGERTON BOOK 4: ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON

Maybe the most exciting part of the Bridgerton renewal announcement was the confirmation that Netflix is committed to at least four seasons of the Regency romance. We’ll get into why that’s a super big deal in a moment, but at the very least, it means Bridgerton fans are getting the plot of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. 

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is the book that Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) fans consider their Bible. Bridgerton has already delved into a significant part of the novel, revealing that Penelope is indeed Lady Whistledown. Book readers had to wait four novels to discover that truth, while the Netflix show revealed it in the Bridgerton Season 1 finale. Also revealed in Bridgerton Season 1? Penelope is desperately in love with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) even though he only sees her as a pal.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton takes place 11 years after Bridgerton Season 1. In this time, Colin has been traveling the world and Penelope has settled into a comfortable role as a society spinster (meaning her mama is no longer controlling her wardrobe or actions). So what happens when they meet again not as teens on the marriage mart but full grown adults? Uh…read the book or wait for Bridgerton Season 4.

However be warned that Romancing Mr. Bridgerton isn’t the only book that is set during 1824…

WHY BRIDGERTON SEASON 4 COULD ALSO BE ELOISE AND FRANCESCA’S SEASON

The whole one Bridgerton Season for one Bridgerton sibling could be thrown out the window in Bridgerton Season 4. That’s because Books 4, 5, and 6 happen concurrently. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton immediately sparks the events of Book 5, To Sir Philip with Love, and Book 6, When He Was Wicked, takes place during both novels. To Sir Philip with Love is all about Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and her unconventional route to love, while When He Was Wicked fills the reader in on the life and loves of the most mysterious Bridgerton sibling, Francesca (Ruby Stokes).

Bridgerton Season 1 has already set the foundation for Eloise’s season in surprising ways. While she is steadfastly committed to escaping the yoke of marriage, a certain Sir Philip Crane (Chris Fulton) has already been introduced. No spoilers on how he goes from marrying Marina Thompson (Ruby Barker) to Eloise’s storyline, from us, though!

While Netflix could push Shondaland for eight seasons for eight Bridgerton siblings, don’t be surprised if this announcement means that future plots are set up, introduced, or even included in Seasons 2, 3, or 4. After all, if Bridgerton the show can introduce Marina Thompson in Season 1, the books might be less a spoiler-filled guide to what comes next than a seductive suggestion.

Regardless, Bridgerton fans have a lot to celebrate with today’s news. Especially Penelope Featherington stans.

Watch Bridgerton on Netflix