‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Christmas Surprise: Netflix Shares Juicy New Photos of Penelope, Colin, Kanthony, and More

Christmas certainly, uh, came this morning for Bridgerton fans. To celebrate the holiday — which doubles as the hit romance’s third anniversary — Netflix released five juicy new photos from Bridgerton Season 3. We’ve got a new look at Colin (Luke Newton) in cahoots with a dolled up Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) at a ball, our very first official sighting of the show’s new Francesca (Hannah Dodd), and a very sexy shot for Kanthony ‘shippers (like yours truly). Not only do these new Bridgerton Season 3 photos give us more to swoon over until the show returns on May 16, 2024, but we can also get some theories going about how early in the season we’ll get to see Pen’s much-hyped makeover…

Bridgerton first premiered on Netflix back on December 25, 2020. The Shondaland show followed the lovely Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) as she hatched a plot with the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) to put on a fake courtship to rule the Regency era marriage mart. Of course, they fell in love. And we fell in love with Bridgerton.

Bridgerton Season 2 premiered in March 2022 and followed a whole new Bridgerton sibling’s dramatic love life. Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) tried to marry the perfect-on-paper Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran), but found himself madly obsessed with her spirited sister Kate (Simone Ashley). The two ended the season happily married and it looks like that marital bliss will continue in Bridgerton Season 3…

Kanthony ‘shippers should be over the moon seeing this first look at the Season 2 couple in Bridgerton Season 3. Kate seems to be happily lounging in Anthony’s arms in the Bridgerton house. Now… what we can’t see in this photo is Kate’s stomach. Are the internet rumors true? Could she be pregnant? Or is this just the couple pre-gaming for another try at that next heir to the Viscount Bridgerton title.

Next we have a new look at Colin Bridgerton in Bridgerton Season 3. Fans have already known that the former supporting character was going to get a bit of a glow up as he became the show’s new romantic lead. Here, it looks like the show is leaning into literal Romantic Era vibes. With his new hair style, lush vest, and unbuttoned shirt, Colin is giving Lord Byron.

Here we have a good look at all the Bridgertons save for Daphne (who’s not in Season 3), Colin, and Francesca. Could this be the family getting their first gander at Colin’s new get up? My theory is no. You’ll notice that Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) is holding a headband adorned with an ostrich feather. The last two seasons of Bridgerton have opened with a new Bridgerton sister wearing such a flouncy headband to be presented to the Queen. Given the Francesca recast, I’m thinking they’re looking at Fran on the morning of her debut.

Case in point: Netflix also included a photo of Francesca with her mother and sister in the Bridgerton family home. Netflix’s press site seemed to suggest this photo is from Bridgerton Season 3 Episode 4…so after Francesca’s debut. You’ll also notice her costume is that of an eligible young woman who is out in society. (As a book reader, I really hope we meet the Earl of Kilmartin this season…)

Finally, we have the money shot. Pen and Colin, together at last. A few things pop to me in this pic, as a Bridgerton obsessive. One, Nicola Coughlan recently posted a new Bridgerton Season 3 photo on her Instagram wherein Penelope was still in the Featherington fashion. She teased, “You didn’t think you were getting the makeover right away, did you?” Netflix’s press site suggests this photo is from Bridgerton Season 3 Episode 2. If so, that means fans won’t have to wait long for Pen to ditch the yellow and adopt the Bridgerton blue. So what else do I see?

Well, Colin’s got his hand wrapped, meaning he might have suffered some small injury early in the season. I don’t recall offhand a similar scuff in the books, but the show does take tons of liberties. More importantly, though, Penelope is holding a dance card. Would it be too much to wish for a Colin/Pen dance scene??

Netflix has also confirmed the episodic rollout for Bridgerton Season 3.

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 (Episodes 1-4) will premiere on Netflix on May 16.

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 (Episodes 5-8) will premiere on Netflix on June 13.