We are back in tons after two years – 2023 Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Was an excellent poignant placeholder. In Season 2, the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), found love and married Samantha (Kate Simone). Season 3 is based on the fourth book in Julia Quinn’s Regency romance series, romancing mr bridgertonA newcomer to the Bridgerton family (when there are eight siblings, there’s bound to be one) is Francesca (Hannah Dodd taking over from Ruby Stokes).

The sixth Bridgerton, Francesca, loves music and has a practical mind. She sees marriage as a way out of the machinations of her mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell). This is an underlying thread of this season, in which all the girls see marriage as a way out, a path to freedom and an assertion of their individuality. Eloise (Claudia Jessie), the fifth Bridgerton and ardent feminist, gives her sarcastic commentary on the proceedings.

Lady Whistledown (Julie Andrews, voice), author of the scandal sheet containing tons of all the incidents, assignments, bankruptcies and inheritances, hot off the presses, welcomes us to the latest Goss.

(Left to Right) Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich, Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich in episode 302 of ‘Bridgerton’

Queen Charlotte (Golda Roshuvel) is not particularly impressed with this year’s newcomers and puts off naming the first water diamond, sparking a duel between her and Lady Whistledown. His friend, the leading lady of the ton, Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) can do nothing but nudge the Emperor in the right direction towards Francesca.

The Featheringtons, dowager Portia (Polly Walker), and their daughters, Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa (Harriet Cains) do everything they can to cement their place in society. Featherington’s youngest daughter, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), has also decided to seek expert help to find herself a husband, after an unprofitable season.

She seeks help from her former good friend, well-traveled and cosmopolitan, Colin (Luke Newton), the Bridgerton’s third son. Season three includes Francesca’s attempts to find a husband, cutting and running away, Penelope and Colin’s lessons of attraction through which they realize they would like to be more than friends (duh), the gossipy Cressida (Jessica Madsen). Eloise’s fractured friendship with and the coming of age of the Bridgerton’s second son, artist Benedict (Luke Thompson).

(Left to Right) James Foonn as Harry Dankworth, Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington, Harriet Keynes as Philippa Featherington, Lorna Macdonald as Albion Finch, Nicola as Penelope Featherington in episode 301 of ‘Bridgerton’ Coughlan.

Mondrich (Martins Imhangbay), retired boxer who runs a gentlemen’s club, enters the Ton due to his son being created Duke of Kent. Meanwhile, the Featherington’s housekeeper, Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne), helps the girls with potions and advice to get them pregnant in order to take advantage of the strange willpower.

Newcomers include the Earl of Kilmartin (Victor Ely) who is infatuated with Francesca, Lady Danbury’s brother Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), a wealthy vegetarian naturalist, Lord Debling (Sam Phillips) who is courting Penelope, and Lady Tilly Arnold (Hannah New) are included. The wealthy widow who catches Benedict’s attention.

(Left to Right) Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in episode 303 of ‘Bridgerton’.

The racially integrated Regency is now an established fact and no one raises an eyebrow when it comes to Mrs. Khanna, the Mondrich housekeeper, or Miss Malhotra (Banita Sandhu), one of the newcomers. The clothes are to die for, and Penelope rocks her makeover and Queen Charlotte’s hair makes a statement before she even opens her mouth. Episode four features glittering swans (?) swimming around a sparkling lake with intricate hairpieces that grab anyone’s attention with an energetic ballet performance.

The conversation about Violet not moving out to make way for Kate, the new Viscountess Bridgerton, could have been developed, but otherwise the show delivers on everything from the flamboyance and romance under and above the sheets to the fabulous costumes and music. Fulfills all promises. Now we have to wait for June 13 and part two of season three…

Bridgerton Season 3 Part One Is Streaming on Netflix