5 Ways Bridgerton Season 3 Sets Up A Radically Different Future For Season 4 (2024)

Bridgerton season 3 featured dramatic new setups for a future in season 4 that alters the tone and formula of the show. Based on the books by Julia Quinn, the Bridgerton TV series has been bringing in high viewership numbers for Netflix since its 2020 premiere. In the reimagined version of Regency-era England, Bridgerton follows the stories of the titular family, which includes eight children. All the children have their own novel chronicling their marriage and happily ever after. The most recent season of Bridgerton revolves around the love story of Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).

The wait for Bridgerton season 4 will be difficult due to all the unanswered questions that season 3 has left open-ended. However, the series has a great opportunity to start fresh and diverge from the predictability of following the novels and the marriage formula to a tee. Three siblings who have yet to complete their arcs, Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Benedict (Luke Thompson), and Francesca (Hannah Dodd), are all primed to have major shifts in their stories. Many of the biggest changes Bridgerton makes to the books involve updating the stories for a modern audience with increased diversity and contemporary ideologies.

After all the reveals from Bridgerton season 3, many fans are wondering who Eloise ends up with in Bridgerton, as well as her brother Benedict. However, viewers will also have to wait to find out how prominently the other siblings will be featured. As Penelope was revealed to be Lady Whistledown, it would be strange if season 3 was the last that was seen of Penelope and Colin. However, many actors have moved on from Bridgerton after finishing their character's love stories. Despite this, Bridgerton always manages to make audiences care just as much about the next season's romance.

5 Part Of The Season Could Take Place In Scotland

Scotland is where Lord Kilmartin's estate is, and much of Francesca's story takes place there.

After Francesa (Hannah Dodd) made her debut in Bridgerton season 3, she immediately became the talk of the ton. Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) made her the diamond after some of Lady Danbury's (Adjoa Andoh) meddling, but this was the last thing that Francesca wanted. The self-appointed wallflower of the Bridgerton clan, Francesca intended to enter the marriage mart and get out in one season with a quiet, conscientious husband who she liked well enough. She quickly found this in John Stirling (Victor Alli).

Before the season was out, the two were married despite the disapproval of the Queen and the misgivings of Francesca's family. However, these concerns were not unfounded, as it doesn't take long after their marriage for Francesca to realize she may have rushed into a life-long commitment. Of course, Francesca's story is far from over, as the introduction of John's cousin, Michaela (Masali Baduza), indicates the start of Francesca's great romance.

However, much of Francesca's story takes place in Scotland, as this is where the Stirling seat is located. Francesca would likely jump at the chance to be far from her prying and overly attentive family. However, she could also find that she might miss the Bridgertons. Especially considering that the books indicate that Michaela will move with John and Francesca, causing quite a stir between the three characters. It will be interesting to see if Bridgerton will decide to split the screen time between the ton and Scotland or if the show will keep the Stirlings close at hand.

4 The Ton Knows Who Whistledown Is

However, Penelope has no plans to put down her pen.

It could be argued that the future of Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton is pointless now that everyone knows it's Penelope, and there's no longer any mystery. Not only that, but Penelope got off relatively easily, with little punishment or backlash from the ton and her loved ones. However, the door is now open for Penelope to behave truly as a journalist, and take on the persona of a 19th-century Carrie Bradshaw, documenting her findings for the ton to see.

When Bridgerton made the change from the books to have Penelope continue writing her column, but now out in the open, it was a great relief. In Penelope and Colin's novel, Pen decides to give up being Whistledown for the sake of her relationship, something she considers in the show. However, she slowly gains the support of Colin, Eloise, and the entire ton as they realize that they created the need for Lady Whistledown and that everyone has gotten enjoyment out of Penelope's writing, as she's so good at it.

Watching Bridgerton without Lady Whistledown would be a letdown, and the series understood that when wrapping up Pen and Colin's narrative. Additionally, Bridgerton has always been good about highlighting strong women and finding ways to push the boundaries of the period to give female characters opportunities other than marriage. Of course, Bridgerton is a romance, and set a long time ago, so it's not perfect. However, since the series is a fantasy, it has the liberty to let Penelope be a wife, mother, and author all at the same time.

3 Micheal Had Been Replaced With Michaela

The gender-swapping of Francesca's love interest has sparked debate.

It was a surprising reveal in Bridgerton season 3 when Francesca's love interest from the books, Michael, was changed to Michaela. However, it makes perfect sense when looking at the gender-swap through the lens of the Francesca-Michael love story in the books. Michael is the cousin of Francesca's first husband, John Stirling, who dies suddenly early on in his marriage to Francesca. From there, Michael and Francesca mourn the loss of John together and eventually decide to get married as their mutual love blossoms.

There was good cause for Michael to become Michaela for many reasons. Before season 3, Quinn gave her approval as the author of the Bridgerton books to include the budding LGBTQ+ love story between Francesca and Michaela. Fans of the show have been calling for queer representation since the show began, and after three long seasons, Bridgerton is finally delivering Francesca and Benedict's stories. When Francesca and Michaela laid eyes on each other at the end of season 3, their chemistry was undeniable, and it's obvious that feelings will soon grow.

It will be interesting to see how Bridgerton handles their romance in the future, as there is little existing precedent for queer couples in the Bridgerton universe. Since Benedict has also been confirmed to be queer through his relationship with Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio), Bridgerton likely has plenty in store for grappling with these changes and telling faithful and romantic LGBTQ+ love stories. Watching Francesca and Michaela fall in love will be different but very satisfying.

2 Julie Andrews Might Not Return

The iconic voice behind Lady Whistledown is no longer required.

The reveal of Lady Whistledown was sped up considerably in the Bridgerton series versus the books. For three seasons, the incomparable Julie Andrews served as the voice of the gossip columnist. Even after the audience learned that Penelope was the pen behind the paper at the end of season 1, Andrews continued doing the voice-over work, and hearing her kick off each season and provide context during every episode has become iconic. However, after Penelope stepped into the role of Whistledown officially and signed her own name, everything's different.

Not only has Lady Whistledown effectively disappeared, now known as Penelope, but Coughlan took over as the speaker behind the narration. However, no one wants to see Andrews go, as she's not only an amazing actress but a source of credibility for the show in general. Additionally, shows like Bridgerton operate well with a framing device, like the Whistledown newsletter and the voice-over. Even if Penelope continues writing, there are still plenty of opportunities for voice-overs in other areas.

As long as Andrews is willing to stay with the show, it would be surprising for the creators and showrunners to move on without her. However, there must be a new angle through which to use her oratory skills. Potential conflicts like a rival columnist, a dueling internal monologue within Penelope, or many others could be an avenue for Andrews to be featured. If it comes down to it that Andrews is truly gone, it must also be treated as an opportunity. Bridgerton is at a critical tipping point that will cement its future legacy as a series.

1 Violet's New Romance Alters Her Story

Though she's overlooked in the books, Violet's getting her own love story.

The matriarch and a constant source of support and companionship for her children, Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), is frequently thought of as a woman whose romantic life has ended. Bridgerton takes place in the wake of her husband, Lord Edmund Bridgerton's death, who was the true love of her life. However, Violet is still relatively young and a beautiful woman. It was no surprise in season 3 when she caught the eye of her fellow widower, Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), the brother of Lady Danbury. It's implied in the books that Violet never remarries and remains in mourning.

However, this is unrealistic, as Violet doesn't deserve to spend the rest of her life alone as her children grow older and leave home each year. In contemporary culture, it's common for widows and widowers to remarry, even if they loved their departed spouse very much. After season 3 saw two more of Violet's children marry and depart from the Bridgerton house, it only makes sense that Violet would start thinking about her own future. Additionally, she and Marcus share a mutual understanding of loss and immediately connect over this.

Initially, it seems that Lady Danbury is opposed to the match, thinking that Marcus isn't serious about Violet in his quest to find a new wife and companion. Despite this, Violet is taken with him, and Marcus works hard to convince both women that his intentions are honorable. Even if Violet's relationship with Marcus doesn't reach the heights and passion of the love she shared with Edmund, that doesn't mean it's worse or less, only different. Seeing Violet step into the spotlight in Bridgerton season 4 will be a welcome addition.

Bridgerton

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From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.

Cast

Will Tilston , Rege-Jean Page , Ruth Gemmell , Luke Thompson , Isabella Cortese , Martins Imhangbe , Julie Andrews , Phoebe Dynevor , Ruby Stokes , Ruby Barker , Claudia Jessie , Adjoa Andoh , Nicola Coughlan , Golda Rosheuvel , Charithra Chandran , Ben Miller , Jonathan Bailey , Florence Hunt , Polly Walker , Shelley Conn , Joanna Bobin , Luke Newton , Simone Ashley

Release Date

December 25, 2020

Seasons

3

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Directors

Tom Verica , Tricia Brock

Creator(s)

Chris Van Dusen