Claudia Jessie is one of the country's most exciting and versatile young actresses.

She's best known for playing Eloise, the sharp-witted sister in the regency romance series Bridgerton, which took the world by storm in 2020.

Claudia also stars in the true-life drama, Toxic Town on Netflix - a series set in 1990s Britain and tells the true story of a group of mothers who believed toxic waste caused babies to be born with deformities. Her co-stars include the brilliant Jodie Whittaker and Bond actor Rory Kinnear.

But aside from Claudia's acting credits, what else is there to know about her? Let us tell you...

Claudia Jessie had a challenging childhood

Claudia Jessie Peyton was born on October 30, 1989, in Moseley, a suburb of Birmingham.

She grew up in North London in a council flat with her single-parent mum Dawn and older brother. Money was tight and bailiffs would be frequently knocking at the door.

Remembering the challenges her mum faced, Claudia told Voice magazine: "We really struggled financially. My mum was a cleaner and I'm happy to show off about how hard she worked for us. She would clean houses in exchange for a dance class or a music lesson because she wanted me to have the best chance possible.

"I never went uni and I left secondary school with nothing. I'm really fortunate it's (her acting career) turned out this way because there is literally nothing else I can do."

She wanted to be a performing clown

As a child, Claudia could never have dreamt of becoming a successful television actress. She wanted to become a performer of another kind - a clown to be exact!

"A clown is all I ever wanted to be," she told The Big Issue. "All I wanted to do growing up was make people laugh. I actually considered going to clown in college in France for a long time."

She was discovered by a theatre director

Claudia's fortunes changed after she was noticed by Hannah Phillips, a local playwright and director.

At the time Claudia was pulling pints in a pub and taking acting classes on the side.

"She (Hannah) believed in me," Claudia told The Guardian. "She asked me to be part of some theatre companies she had in Birmingham. Without her, I wouldn't be an actor. I'm eternally grateful."

Claudia went on to train at the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School and Birmingham Library Theatre Company, before being signed by an agent in 2012.

She's been nominated for a Logie Award

Claudia has been steadily working for the past decade and her CV makes for impressive reading.

Her first professional role was in the short film Rosie, which was closely followed by parts in Doctors and Casualty.

In 2017, Claudia starred as DC Jodie Taylor in series four of the legendary BBC series Line of Duty. She also made a guest appearance in the Doctor Who episode Kerblam!

Her performance in Bali 2002, an Australian drama about the real-life 2002 Bali bombings earned her a nomination for the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress. Just to give you a heads up of how major that is, the Logies are like the equivalent of the Aussie Oscars!

She's also lent her voice to the audiobook The Rebound, which was voted as one of Audible's best books of 2023.

Claudia met her boyfriend through Bridgerton

That's right! Claudia's other half is casting director Cole Edwards, who auditioned her for the role of Eloise in Bridgerton.

Revealing how they first met in an interview with Glamour smitten Claudia shared: "I think it was the best audition I've ever had in my life. It was April 4, 2019. That's a lot to do with Cole Edwards, who I had auditioned with. It was so much fun, and I felt really comfortable. And then that was it."

The couple live together on a houseboat in Birmingham - how cool is that?!

She is a practicing Buddist

Claudia has been a Buddhist for nearly 18 years and was introduced to the religion by her aunt, who has been practicing for nearly four decades.

"Buddhism is the foundation of my life and the center of my life," she told Shondaland.

Claudia is also a vegan and ethically-minded when it comes to her clothes.

"I haven’t shopped on the high street for about six years, because I will not contribute to fast fashion," she explained to The Big Issue.

The actress is also passionate about the benefits of yoga and tries to get her daily practice in.

You won't find her on social media

Don't go looking for Claudia on social media platforms such as Instagram and X, because she doesn't do them.

Why, you might ask? The star explained her decision to keep away to Shondaland...

"With social media, I know I would be able to procrastinate. I would be able to compare myself to others. And you know what? Props to the people who don't and can be on social media. I think it's incredible. But I know that it's just not something I'm interested in. And I don't feel like I'm missing anything."

But just incase Claudia wants a taste of what's being said online, she can count on her friends.

"I've got loads of really lovely mates that are sending me screenshots of things that I have missed. Funny things, which is nice."

She broke a bone on the Bridgerton set

Filming Bridgerton season 3 proved a bit of a challenge for Claudia after she broke her wrist on set.

Recalling the painful incident during her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert she said:

I’m such an idiot, it was my own fault. It was a Friday morning, about 8.30, and we hadn’t even started filming yet. To celebrate everyone’s good mood I did a high kick, but when I put my leg up I was restricted by my costume and fell backwards. I landed on my wrist.”

Claudia soon realized her wrist was broken after everyone’s voices went muffled in her head, which was a symptom of the shock. The good news is Claudia’s right wrist is healed, but the star joked saying, “She’ll never be the same again!”

Claudia Jessie's fact file

Frequently asked questions about the star...

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

Hugh Grant's latest movie, Heretic, is now playing everywhere. The psychological thriller is more in line with the actor's late career swing toward more villain roles than the romantic leads that he often played in the 90s and early 2000s. But all through that time Grant has been a favorite for many moviegoers. But how well do you know his career? Put that to the test with this week's edition of Take Two, which poses these questions about Hugh Grant's movie career:

• Which classic Hugh Grant rom-com has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill?
• Which Hugh Grant rom-com is his bigger box office success: Bridget Jones’s Diary or Love Actually?
• True or False: Hugh Grant has been nominated for an Oscar
• Who has directed Hugh Grant in more movies: Richard Curtis or Guy Ritchie?

Play an interactive version of the game below to get an official score on how many you can get right (all you have to do is type in the appropriate answer).

If you enjoyed that, check out more games from What to Watch:

• Take Two: M. Night Shyamalan
• Take Two: Channing Tatum
• Take Two: Winona Ryder
• Take Two: English Remake vs International Original
• Take Two: George Clooney vs Brad Pitt
• Take Two: Andrew Garfield vs Florence Pugh
• Take Two: classic horror movies
• Take Two: best Netflix original series

Check out the official answers, with some additional insight into each, right here.

Which classic Hugh Grant rom-com has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill?

Not only two of Grant's most iconic movies, but two of the most iconic rom-coms of the 90s, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill are remembered fondly by most. But when in terms of the critical reception, Four Weddings and a Funeral is the higher rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes, with a strong 92% "Certified Fresh" score. Notting Hill's score is nothing to be ashamed about though, as that movie is also "Certified Fresh," but just a few points back at 84%. If it's any consolation for fans of Notting Hill, general audiences score the movie better on Rotten Tomatoes.

Which Hugh Grant rom-com is his bigger box office success: Bridget Jones’s Diary or Love Actually

According to IMDb's Box Office Mojo, Bridget Jones's Diary bested the Christmas favorite at the global box office, earning $334 million worldwide to Love Actually's $250 million worldwide. However, Bridget Jones's Diary is not Grant's highest grossing rom-com. That would be Notting Hill, which took in $363 million at the worldwide box office. Though another little feather in the Bridget Jones's Diary hat is that it is the only Hugh Grant movie that we included in the WTW best 100 movies list.

True or False: Hugh Grant has been nominated for an Oscar

This one is false, as Grant has yet to receive an Oscar nomination in his career. He has more success with other awards bodies though. That includes six Golden Globe nominations across movies and TV, including a win for Best Actor in a comedy/musical for Four Weddings and a Funeral; four BAFTA nominations and one win, again for Four Weddings and a Funeral; and two Primetime Emmy nominations. Grant's closest calls with the Oscars likely came for Four Weddings and a Funeral and, more recently, his acclaimed performance in Paddington 2.

Who has directed Hugh Grant in more movies: Richard Curtis or Guy Ritchie?

The answer here is Guy Ritchie, but admittedly this one was a bit of a trick question. Grant has appeared in three movies that Ritchie directed (The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Gentlemen and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) and three movies that Richard Curtis was involved in (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually), but only one of those was directed by Curtis (Love Actually).

The Diplomat season 2 premieres next Thursday, October 31, offering the latest episodes of a fan-favorite Netflix original series to subscribers. That has got us thinking about other classic Netflix originals to the point that we're using that as the jumping-off point for this edition of Take Two. We've have four 50/50 questions for you to answer right here:

• Which season of Bridgerton was the most watched on Netflix: Bridgerton season 1 or Bridgerton season 3?
• Which award-winning Netflix limited series had a higher IMDb score: Baby Reindeer or The Queen’s Gambit?
• Which foreign language Netflix series has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Lupin or Squid Game?
• Which Netflix original won the most Emmys in a single year: Beef season 1 or The Crown season 4?

Play an interactive version of the game below to get an official score on how many you can get right (all you have to do is type in the appropriate answer).

If you enjoyed that, check out more games from What to Watch:

• Take Two: M. Night Shyamalan
• Take Two: Channing Tatum
• Take Two: Winona Ryder
• Take Two: English Remake vs International Original
• Take Two: George Clooney vs Brad Pitt
• Take Two: Andrew Garfield vs Florence Pugh
• Take Two: classic horror movies

Check out the official answers, with some additional insight into each, right here.

Which season of Bridgerton was the most watched on Netflix: Bridgerton season 1 or Bridgerton season 3?

Bridgerton is one of Netflix's most successful shows of all time, with all three of its seasons in Netflix's top 10 of most-watched titles of all time (based on their first 91 days on the streamer). Bridgerton season 2 brings up the number 10 spot, but the other two series came in at no. 4 and no. 6, respectively, with the original Bridgerton season 1 the most-watched in the series. Bridgerton season 1 had 113.3 million views in its first 91 days (translating to 929.3 million hours), while Bridgerton season 3 was watched by 106 million subscribers (846.5 million hours).

Which award-winning Netflix limited series had a higher IMDb score: Baby Reindeer or The Queen’s Gambit?

Both Baby Reindeer and The Queen's Gambit are among Netflix's most acclaimed limited series to date, but which did the fans like more? According to user scores on IMDb, The Queen's Gambit, scoring an 8.5 out of 10, checkmates Baby Reindeer, which received a 7.7 out of 10. The Queen's Gambit is the 193 best TV show of all time per IMDb's user scores.

Which foreign language Netflix series has a higher Rotten Tomatoes score: Lupin or Squid Game?

Netflix subscribers have embraced some foreign language series, most notably the French crime drama Lupin and the South Korean thriller Squid Game. But who comes out on top when it comes to Rotten Tomatoes scores? Believe it or not, Lupin, with a score of 98% "Fresh," beats Squid Game and its 95% "Fresh" score. What makes this even more impressive is that Lupin is averaging 98% across its three seasons (its lowest scored a 96%). While Squid Game currently only has its one season, the score could increase or decrease depending on how Squid Game season 2 is received.

Which Netflix original won the most Emmys in a single year: Beef season 1 or The Crown season 4?

Netflix has been racking up Emmy awards for years now, including for many of the shows talked about above. But two of the most winningest shows at a single Emmys were Beef season 1, where it competed as an limited/anthology series (Beef season 2 is in the works), and The Crown season 4, which introduced iconic British figures Margaret Thatcher (played by Gillian Anderson) and Princess Diana (portrayed by Emma Corin) to the historical drama. Ultimately The Crown season 4 reigns supreme here, winning 11 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series; Beef was no slouch with eight Emmy wins in its first year.

Benedict Bridgerton is officially heading to the marriage mart in Bridgerton season 4. Netflix released a teaser announcing Benedict's entry into the Ton's famed marriage mart in the upcoming season, and it ends with actor Luke Thompson accepting an outfit for the masquerade ball. 

The reference to the ball is an Easter egg from author Julia Quinn's An Offer from a Gentleman. The novel, which documents Benedict's quest to find a wife, sees the second-oldest Bridgerton brother falling for a woman who sneaks into the masquerade ball hosted by his mother.  

To help us set the stage for what's coming, here's the synopsis of Bridgerton season 4 from Netflix: "The fourth season of Bridgerton turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict (Luke Thompson). Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down — until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother's masquerade ball."

I'll admit, I'm intrigued. It sounds like season 4 could dovetail quite nicely with the novel, but then again after the events of season 3 it could be interesting to see who the Lady in Silver really is.

I'm convinced that Bridgerton season 4 could be the best season so far given that Benedict ended season 3 with an epiphany that he wanted to explore the world he discovered after being in a relationship with Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and her other lover, Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). When Tilley decided that she wanted to be with Benedict exclusively, he realized that he wasn't ready to settle down, nor was he finished exploring the boundaries of his sexuality. 

While it's entirely possible that the Lady in Silver could be Tilley, it's more enticing to think that the woman who catches his eye is someone he's met during his exploration. Perhaps she's also someone who is open-minded and eager to explore going from to couple with Benedict. It's also possible that the Lady in Silver knows exactly who Benedict is, but he has no idea who she is because she's been watching from afar. 

I have to think that if they went to the effort of introducing Benedict to the experience of being with men and women, both separately and together, it has to count for something. It would be a shame for Benedict's journey of self-discovery to not inform his trip to the marriage mart and give him the most intriguing story we've seen yet.

Bridgerton season 4 will follow Benedict Bridgerton's story, it's been officially confirmed by Netflix.

There's been heaps of debate about where the hugely popular series will go next, but Netflix confirmed via a short teaser clip below that the fourth series will be all about Benedict.

The fun clip declares: "Next season's most compelling match will be unmasked. Welcome to the marriage mart, Benedict…". And it ends with 36-year-old Benedict actor Luke Thompson answering a door to someone saying: "We’re fitting you for a suit". Luke replies: "I already have an outfit for tonight." "Oh no it's not for tonight… it’s for the masquerade ball..."

Yes, the mysterious masquerade ball is at the heart of the new series as the makers adapt Julia Quinn's book, "An Offer From a Gentleman". 

Here's the book plot description from Amazon (note we don't know if the Netflix version will exactly follow this but it gives you a good idea): "Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball — or that she would be spinning in the arms of her 'Prince Charming’ — the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton. 

"But when the clock strikes midnight, Sophie's enchanting evening ends. Since that night Benedict has been able to think of nothing but the bewitching young woman, and he's sworn to find and wed his mystery miss. Yet will another unexpectedly steal his heart — and his chance for a fairy tale love?"

If Netflix had been following the book order it would have adapted Benedict's story third, but instead, season 3 focussed on Colin and Penelope's story. Now at last we will get Benedict’s story. However, it could be 2026 before Bridgerton season 4 finally comes out.

Showrunner Jess Brownell told The Hollywood Reporter that it could take two years for the next season to air: "We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language. The writing takes a very long time as well, so we're kind of on a two-year pace, we're trying to speed up, but somewhere in that range."

Amongst the extravagant dress, opulent balls, and decadent abodes of Bridgerton, it is the wit of the ton’s residents that many enjoy, perpetuated by Lady Whistledown and her gossip pages. She’s most certainly not the only one with a sharp tongue though. 

Across three seasons, viewers have rejoiced in the quips and remarks shared between various members of society, the love matches, and the families (especially the Bridgertons themselves). There’s an abundance of quotes to choose from when it comes to the best zingers in Bridgerton, but there's a few that stand out and mark poignant moments in the show’s storylines. Here’s the top 20, ranked as we await Bridgerton season 4...

20. 'Why settle for a Duke when one can have a Prince?' — Lady Whistledown

In season 1, we’re introduced to Lady Whistledown and her expressive words that viewers have come to know and love. It’s her opinion on who Daphne should match with though that brings this quote. Between Prince Friedrich (above) and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, Whistledown picks the Prince. It certainly didn’t turn out to be a “settle” for Daphne, but Whistledown’s observations of society are always great to watch unfold.

19. 'Whistledown is a woman, therefore she has nothing, and still she writes. You're a man, therefore you have everything. You are able to do whatever you want. So do it. Be bold.' — Eloise Bridgerton

Before Eloise found out Whistledown’s true identity, she was her number one defender. In this witty quote, Eloise tells her brother Benedict that, by being a man, he has much more opportunity to pursue what he really wants. While Whistledown, who is a woman, actually pursues what she wants in her writing, despite people of the ton not taking women as seriously. 

18. 'You’d actually have to be interesting for me to bother spying on you.' — Eloise Bridgerton

In the same scene in season 1 that viewers return to in Bridgerton season 3 when Eloise and Benedict find themselves on the swings at the Bridgerton home, Eloise quips at Benedict when he accuses her of sneaking around watching him. It's the banter and jibes between the Bridgerton family that are some of the best and wittiest moments of the show.

17. 'Have you found a wife yet? Or are you planning on offending every young girl until there are none left?' — Benedict Bridgerton

Benedict can give out the banter as well as he can take it though. One such example is in season 2. When Anthony Bridgerton is looking for a suitor, Benedict jokes that the way he’s acting will scare every possible woman away. In turn, Anthony’s reaction is suitably funny. It's ironic really given that Benedict himself, as late as season 3, strives purely for his own freedom.

16. 'You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires.' — Lord Anthony Bridgerton

And this leads us nicely into the wit shared between Anthony Bridgerton and his eventual match, Kate Sharma, as they argue between themselves to hide their true feelings. Anthony calls Kate in season 2 the bane of his existence, yet everything he wants and it’s those words that lead to a very steamy scene in the private sitting room of episode four.

15. 'I know some men cannot perform without their familiar tools. Like a child with a blanket.' — Kate Sharma

It is in fact Kate's wit that wins over the heart of Anthony Bridgerton. In season 2, she freely mocks him during a game of pall mall and it's clearly not something he's used to. Considering she, at first, has no interest in pursuing anyone as it's her sister, Edwina, that is meant to be the match for Anthony, she's confident in belittling him. But, we know how that turns out.

14. 'I happen to believe a lady's business is her own.' — Madame Delacroix

After finding out Lady Whistledown’s identity in season 2, it is Madame Delacroix who promises to keep her secret and stands up not only for Whistledown but all the women of the ton with this quote. It’s a really strong moment for Madame Delacroix, considering she spends her days styling the debutantes to find their suitors.

13. 'We shall do what women do. We shall talk.' — Violet Bridgerton 

In a ranking dominated by women, another lady that needs mentioning for defending women’s rights throughout all three seasons is Violet Bridgerton. To save her daughter Daphne from marrying Nigel Berbrooke she plots to spread gossip through the women of the ton to reveal a scandal that will put an end to it. And, she's successful.

12. 'Having a nice face and pleasant hair is not an accomplishment.' — Eloise Bridgerton

We return again to Eloise Bridgerton, who is continuously interested in learning, writing, and making witty remarks about finding a suitor rather than actually searching for one herself. It's her smart words in the second episode of the whole show that sets the tone of Eloise's character from the get-go.

11. 'Pride, Your Grace, it will cost you everything and leave you with nothing.' — Lady Danbury

Another intellectual woman of Bridgerton is Lady Danbury who excels at saying the right things at the right moments. None more so than here when she speaks to Simon at a ball in season one when he’s planning on leaving Daphne to keep his promise to his late father. He ultimately doesn’t and who knows how much Lady Danbury’s words played a part in that.

10. 'She is pompous and arrogant and quite sure she knows best in every situation.' — Anthony Bridgerton

During a conversation with his brothers in season 2, Anthony continues to try and cover up his true feelings for Kate by insulting her to his brothers. To which they reply that it must be a nuisance since "you are the one who knows best in every situation". Proving that Anthony and Kate, once again, are more similar than they wanted to admit.

9. 'I do not much care for idle gossip.' — Penelope Bridgerton

When trying to impress Lord Remington in season 3, Penelope makes the funny remark that she doesn’t care for idle gossip. Fans of the show will know that's extremely contrary to her actual opinion and we're left wondering if she says it to try and impress Lord Remington or to have her own fun. 

8. 'I believe you stopped me.' — Lord Kilmartin

A rather unassuming character introduced in season 3 is Lord Kilmartin/John Sterling. In courting Francesca Bridgerton, it's his quiet composure that catches her attention, but when he comes out with this zinger during an exchange on the street, he shows a little bit of attitude that surprises viewers. Francesca says that Lord Kilmartin only stopped to speak to them to be polite, by which he replies with this excellent witty quote.

7. 'Child, you are not me and if you continue down this road, you most certainly never will be' — Lord Danbury

In another shining example of Lady Danbury putting in her two cents to the right person at the right time, she says to Kate after she compares herself to her as a woman who will be content being alone. Lady Danbury puts her in her place by saying that she is a widow, so being on her own is not by choice and that she has in fact earned the right to do what she chooses. Kate hasn’t.

6. 'Is this tent a balloon? You all are certainly filling it with air.' — Lady Tilley Arnold

In season 3 episode 3, we’re introduced to Lady Tilley Arnold during the hot air balloon event held by Lord Hawkins. Immediately, we are given an insight into the type of bold, independent woman she is when she addresses the entire tent during a talk in this way. And very much catching the attention of Benedict Bridgerton. 

5. 'Living for the estimation of others is a trap.' — Colin Bridgerton

Without knowing what Penelope's actually going through, Colin somehow sees her shyness for what it really is and tries to give her the confidence to break free from it. By telling her cuttingly that it’s not a good idea to care what people think spurs her on for the rest of the season and, ultimately, leads to her finding her own voice.

4. 'I cannot expect you to understand. Not everyone can be a pretty Bridgerton.' — Penelope Featherington

Since the beginning of Bridgerton, Penelope Featherington has always struggled with self-confidence and one of the earliest instances is this zinger she deals to Eloise Bridgerton when discussing their hopes for finding a match in the future. It’s almost a double insult saying she’s both prettier and comes from a better family name. Knowing what we know from season 3, it seems Penelope had nothing to worry about.

3. 'Perhaps a casket. The lack of interest here today shall usher me to an early grave at any moment.' — Queen Charlotte 

Queen Charlotte is one of the most opinionated and cutting characters in Bridgerton (seen much more during her spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story). At the beginning of season 3, a new round of debutantes attends her court to try and impress her to become this season’s "diamond". Unfortunately, she was left unamused by everyone in attendance.

2. 'You are something, Penelope. An insipid wallflower, indeed.' — Eloise Bridgerton

The top two quotes from Bridgerton in our rankings has to be the conversation during the season 2 finale between arguably the two most well-spoken characters in the show; Eloise and Penelope. Upon finding out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, she tells her she’s too afraid to stand up for herself in reality so just hides away writing her "secret little scandal sheet".

1. 'You have all these great ambitions, these great plans, but I am the one who did something great, and you cannot stand it, can you?!' — Penelope Featherington

And it’s Penelope’s retort that stands out as one of the biggest zingers in Bridgerton given the friendship between Eloise and Penelope coming to a head. In response to being called an insipid wallflower, Penelope says that Eloise is just jealous that she’s actually done something while Eloise doesn’t do anything at all. A real nail in the coffin for the best friends and a theme that seeps through every episode of season 3.

Benedict Bridgerton doubled down on being the carefree second-oldest brother in the family in Bridgerton season 3. My only wish is that his time in the throuple would have lasted longer. 

After meeting Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) at the hot air balloon event in episode 3, Benedict (Luke Thompson) finds himself absolutely smitten with the whip-smart, take-no-prisoners noblewoman who lives life on her own terms. They enter into a smoldering, no-strings-attached relationship that leaves the younger man’s head spinning every time they’re together. 

Later, in episode 6, Tilley introduces Benedict to Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). While on the surface it seems like Paul and Tilley are old, dear friends, Benedict sees a connection between them and he wonders why they were never involved. Paul explains that it’s Benedict that he’s interested in, and he and Tilley invite Benedict to join them in the bedroom. Benedict declines the invitation, but after considerable reflection he finds himself joining them by episode 7. 

It’s not often that throuples are explored in mainstream television and even when they do show up, it’s typically one man coupling with two women, though it can be a woman and two men, three men or three women. There’s even a reality show, From Couple to Throuple on Peacock, that features couples searching for someone to join their relationship. 

(If you’re wondering about the difference between a throuple and threesome, there are many different interpretations but generally speaking, a throuple involves three people in a committed relationship with each other whereas a threesome is usually a one-time event)

Reality shows aside, throuples aren’t common on television. The first time I remember seeing a throuple (or at least the beginning of one) was in True Blood when Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) decided that she couldn’t choose between Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgaard), so she was going to have them both. (Honestly, who could blame her?)

Sookie’s throuple didn’t last long and, sadly, neither did Benedict’s. By episode 8, Tilley decided that after lots of hot and heavy time with both men, she discovered she wanted Benedict for herself. Benedict, now enlightened by the revelation of what being bisexual can mean, wasn’t ready to commit to a monogamous relationship with Tilley and decided that he needed to explore the new world he’d discovered. 

One of the reasons I love Bridgerton is that the showrunners created a bright, inclusive world thanks to the show’s “Great Experiment” which removed racial barriers between the residents of Mayfair. This season has seen members of the Ton who are persons with disabilities, and now it looks like the show is dipping its toes into sexuality as well. 

I appreciate that the show introduced throuples into Regency England and I also appreciate that Lady Tilley explains to Benedict that their world is full of people who don’t live within the traditional confines of acceptable society. 

I’m frustrated, however, that the relationship between Benedict, Tilley and Paul ended so abruptly. It felt like the whole idea was shortchanged by Tilley deciding she wanted a monogamous relationship with Benedict after she (and Paul) were the ones to convince him to join them. 

The upside to this “new experiment” in the Bridgerton world is that it opens up a world of possibilities for future seasons. What’s most exciting, however, is that Benedict’s perspective has been blown wide open and he’s interested in exploring every inch of this new world as only he can. And who knows, maybe he’ll find himself in a new throuple and he’ll bring his lovers home to meet the family….

All episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available on Netflix now.  

Bridgerton season 4 is on the way after the huge success of Bridgerton season 3 on Netflix and it's been revealed that this time we will follow Benedict Bridgerton's romantic journey - and now we have a behind-the-scenes trailer from filming.

While Bridgerton seasons 3 and 4 were commissioned back in April 2021, showrunner Jess Brownell recently told The Hollywood Reporter that it could take two years for the next season to air: "We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language. The writing takes a very long time as well, so we're kind of on a two-year pace, we're trying to speed up, but somewhere in that range."

However, we do know that production for the new season is now underway after it was announced in September 2024 with some first-look images of Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton and Yerin Ha as his love interest Sophie Baek.

There is also the huge news that the series has been commissioned for seasons 5 and 6 - meaning there will be new Bridgerton seasons to enjoy for years to come. But, in the meantime, here's everything we know about Bridgerton season 4...

Bridgerton season 4 release date 

Bridgerton season 4 will likely arrive on Netflix in 2026 and although this is still to be confirmed, with production now underway we do know that things are moving in the right direction!

Who will be the main couple for Bridgerton season 4?

It was announced in the shot teaser above that Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson) will take center stage in season 4. In Julia Quinn's book, "An Offer From a Gentleman", Benedict heads to a masquerade ball where he meets a woman who changes his life forever.

Here's the book plot description from Amazon (note we don't know if the Netflix version will exactly follow this but it gives you a good idea): "Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball— or that she would be spinning in the arms of her 'Prince Charming’ — the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton.

"But when the clock strikes midnight, Sophie's enchanting evening ends. Since that night Benedict has been able to think of nothing but the bewitching young woman, and he's sworn to find and wed his mystery miss. Yet will another unexpectedly steal his heart—and his chance for a fairy tale love?"

Fans of the show will know that each season follows a Bridgerton sibling in their quest to find love. While Bridgerton season 1 followed Daphne's story, Bridgerton season 2 saw Anthony fall for Kate, and Bridgerton season 3 watched Colin's friendship with Penelope Featherington turn into romance.

Viewers also know that while the first two series followed the correct order of Julia Quinn's books the third season followed Colin's romance rather than Benedict's love story. Now, at last we're getting Benedict's story...

Bridgerton season 4 cast 

While we knew that Luke Thompson would be returning as leading man, Benedict Bridgerton, we now know that Harry Potter star Yerin Ha will play his love interest Sophie Baek. The pair were seen in behind the scenes images released in September 2024, already looking every inch the perfect match.

According to IMDB Nicola Coughlan will return as Penelope Bridgerton, Luke Newton is back as Colin Bridgerton, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, and Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton. Polly Walker, who plays Penelope’s mother, Portia Featherington and Jessica Madsen, who plays Cressida, are also returning.

We know Jonathan Bailey will be reprising his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the fourth season. "I have a couple of weeks etched out in my schedule for returning," he told Good Morning America. "I look forward to reading the scripts."

Katie Leung (Harry Potter, Nightsleeper) has joined the cast as Lady Araminta Gun, as well as Michelle Mao (Goosebumps, FBI: Most Wanted) as Rosamund Li.

It has also been revealed that Isabella Wei (1899, The Crow) has been added to the cast as Posy Li, while it has been confirmed that Emma Naomi and Hugh Sachs will be part of the main cast for this season.

Ruth Gemmell, who plays the Bridgerton family matriarch, Violet, has also revealed she will be back for season 4 by telling Vanity Fair: "It’d be nice to see how my flirting goes [after Violet met Lord Anderson in season three] and I’d also quite like to have my children all together and all of my grandchildren. That would be mayhem, but it would be very nice."

What happened at the end of Bridgerton season 3?

The end of season 3 sees Colin and Penelope get their happy-ever-after following a tricky start to married life. Penelope tells the world that she is Lady Whistledown and gets Queen Charlotte's approval to continue writing, while Eloise goes to Scotland with her younger sister, Francesca, and her new husband, the Earl of Kilmartin.

Also, Prudence and Phillipa Featherington both have baby daughters, while Penelope and Colin have a baby boy, who will become the new Lord Featherington, and Anthony and Kate have headed to India before the birth of their first child.

Elsewhere, Benedict is left single after rejecting Lady Tilley Arnold's request for a serious relationship. Could he be next to find romance in season 4?

Read our Bridgerton season 3 ending explained for more details.

Is there a trailer for Bridgerton season 4?

We have been treated to a behind-the-scenes trailer from Bridgerton season 4 which arrived in February 2025. The trailer sees the cast on location, busy filming with the crew and it looks like season 4 is going to be one we don't want to miss. You can watch the trailer below...

Behind the scenes and more on Bridgerton

It was announced in May 2025 that Bridgerton had been renewed for a further two series, meaning seasons 5 and 6 of the show will follow season 4.

The news was revealed in a Lady Whistledown-style announcement on Instagram, which you can read below...

Where was Bridgerton season 3 filmed? The lavish and decadent buildings of the ton are quite the spectacular backdrop to the Regency drama. Fortunately, with beautiful parts of the UK rich in history, choices for Bridgerton filming locations are abundant. You can, in fact, visit most of these locations, as you’ll find out below. 

For season three, the cast & crew returned to previously used and much-loved buildings, as well as venturing deeper into the English countryside for pastures new. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, you may well enjoy seeing the real-life locations that make the show the spectacle it is. 

Location manager Tony Hood has the pleasure of finding these hidden (or not-so-hidden) gems and spoke on Shondaland’s official site (the production company behind Bridgerton) about season three’s mission, “We’re trying to broaden our locations so that we aren’t going to the same old places every season. So, we were on the hunt looking for bigger places instead of trying to make the same old places look a little bit different.” 

Onwards then, to the reveal of Bridgerton season 3 filming locations. 

Ranger’s House, Greenwich - the Bridgerton family home

Starting with the homes of season three’s shining couple, Ranger’s House in Greenwich is where the Bridgerton family reside and, of course, Colin. In real-life, this Georgian mansion is home to The Wernher Collection, made up of over 700 works of artwork. For anyone looking to visit this Bridgerton stalwart, the location is open to the public Wednesdays to Sundays.

Hatfield House, Hertfordshire - the Featherington’s family home

For Penelope, it’s Hatfield House in Hertfordshire that acts as the Featherington’s London residence. Similarly to the Bridgerton home, this shooting location has been used for all three seasons. The Jacobean Grade I listed country home is open to visitors all-year round with the Home, Gardens & Park all available to explore, from the stately Marble Hall to the opulent King James Drawing Room. 

Royal Crescent, Bath - several Bridgerton shots

The Royal Crescent in Bath returns to Bridgerton for a multi-use backdrop. Whether it's the exterior shots of the Featherington mansion or perhaps the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum acting as the view from Penelope’s window and the Featherington’s front door, its unique sweeping houses are eye-catching, however they're used. The rest of the Crescent has also been used for the promenades and for outside strolls around the ton. 

Holburne Museum, Bath - Lady Danbury’s lavish home

The historical city of Bath is also where you can visit the filming location of Lady Danbury’s lavish home. The Holburne Museum, a Grade I listed building, harbours copious amounts of fine and decorative arts from the collection of William Holburne. Dating back to 1882, it’s just after the Regency era, but its beautiful exterior has become a key backdrop to many of Lady Danbury’s gatherings and social exchanges. 

Hampton Court Palace, London - Queen Charlotte’s home and Queen’s Ball and ballet

Also returning to Bridgerton in season three is Hampton Court Palace, the acting residence of Queen Charlotte. Featured heavily in episode four as the setting for the Queen’s Ball and ballet, several parts of the building are used from the Master Carpenter's Court, to Fountain Court, to the King's Stairs, and the Gardens. Given all the beautiful and diverse options on offer, Hampton Court Palace also acts as a stand-in location for a lot of different scenes across Bridgerton from carriage scenes to a printing shop.

Blenheim Palace, London - Buckingham House & the hot air balloon event

Blenheim Palace been used as Buckingham House aka Buckingham Palace in previous seasons of Bridgerton, as well as acting as Queen Charlotte’s home in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. This time round, it became the shooting location for Lord Hawkins’ hot air balloon event (as well as Painshill Park in Surrey), and has continued to stand in for Buckingham House. Known as "Britain's Greatest Palace", it's a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in history.

Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire - Lord Hawkins’ home and Innovations Ball

Like Lord Hawkins himself, Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire is also new to Bridgerton and features as his home in season 3, episode 3, when it was used to host the Innovation Ball. An opulent celebration of futuristic technologies. In reality, it’s a country house nestled in the Lincolnshire countryside with gardens, including a historic woodland and extensive parkland to explore.

Claydon House, Buckinghamshire & Kingston Bagpuize House, Oxfordshire - Mondrich’s home

Two new shooting locations in Bridgerton season 3 are Claydon House in Buckinghamshire and Kingston Bagpuize House in Oxfordshire. As the team behind the Regency drama head further into the English countryside, they use these two estates known as “an unexpected Georgian jewel” and “admired by many over the last 300 years” respectively. Kingston Bagpuize is the home of Alice and Will Mondrich after their rise in social status. 

Osterley Park and House, London - Full Moon Ball

Osterley Park and House makes its Bridgerton debut as the set for the outdoor Full Moon Ball in season three, episode two. You’ll find this Georgian estate, dating back to the 1570s, in West London. The estate, part of the National Trust, is in fact one of the last surviving country estates to be found in the city and welcomes visitors Wednesdays to Sundays.

Basildon Park – Lady Tilley Arnold’s home

Previously used as the Featherington’s garden, for some of Anthony and Kate’s best (and steamiest) scenes, and as the setting for the party in season 2'sfinale episode, Basildon Park returns in season 3 as a home for someone new. Lady Tilley Arnold catches the eye of Benedict Bridgerton and the interiors of Basildon Park work as a great backdrop for this new strong-willed woman.

Squerryes Court, Kent - debutant garden party

Featured in season three, episode one is Squerryes Court in Kent, the 300-year-old estate that offers its home and gardens up to the debutant garden party of the season. The family home of estate owner, Henry Warde, his wife Claire, their four children, and dog, Inca were pleased to have the Bridgerton cast and crew at their home. Writing on the Squerryes official site, Henry said, “It was a fascinating experience to watch the Bridgerton team transform the garden into the set and it was great to watch the scenes as a viewer in part one of the new series.”

Wilton House, Wiltshire - Queen Charlotte’s conversations

Used primarily for Queen Charlotte’s many conversations concerning debutants and diamonds, Wilton House has been home to the Earls of Pembroke for nearly 500 years. Known for housing the “Double Cube Room” that served as the throne room for Queen Charlotte in season three, it’s rich in history as it served as the headquarters for the Southern Command in WWII and was where the D-Day landings were planned.

Woburn Walk, London - Genevieve Delacroix’s modiste

Acting as a more extravagant and wealthy setting for Genevieve Delacroix’s now-booming business of the modiste, she shows off her new shop in season three. And Woburn Walk, a pedestrian street in Bloomsbury, London steps in to act as an authentic Regency Street. Locations manager Tony Hood told Shondaland, “We don’t do anything small in Bridgerton, so we changed the whole street. We occupied all 16 shop fronts on the whole walkway. We’re really showing Genevieve’s success.”

Dear gentle readers, you may have noticed that several characters have gone through quite the makeover on the latest episodes of Bridgerton. Look closely as these glow-ups continue to play a key role in the second half of season 3, which has now finally been released.

Costumes, hair, and makeup have always played a tremendous role in Bridgerton. The Netflix show has made it a trademark to have its characters showcase bold and lavish looks throughout this adaptation of Julia Quinn's bestselling books.

However, this has never been more flagrant as in Bridgerton season 3, which is all about transformation.

Focused on the romance between Penelope Featheringon (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), this season’s looks are key to translating the inner journeys characters are going through.

No longer a wallflower

For the first two seasons of Bridgerton, Penelope stood out to viewers, but not to the ton. The bright citrus colors she wore made her fit in with her family, but were not intended to make her look good in the eyes of suitors or even her fellow debutantes.

In fact, Penelope was meant to look more like a child than a woman ready to marry. But between seasons 2 and 3, she has left behind her caterpillar self and entered a cocoon through which a magnificent butterfly is slowly emerging.

In search of independence, she decides to change her looks at the start of the season, and her makeup becomes more glamorous. Her features are elongated and contoured, which lifts her cheekbones and accentuates her eyes, while her hairstyle also evolves.

"You'll see how over the season her hair starts up, and then it gets looser and more down," explained showrunner Jess Brownell to Netflix. "It's actually slightly anachronistic for a woman to wear her hair like that in Regency times, but Pen is an anachronistic character."

Hair and makeup designer Erika Ökvist found inspiration in old Hollywood icons like Rita Hayworth to design Penelope’s new hairstyle, adding to it a dash of Jessica Rabbit. Gone is the wallflower, Penelope now wants to be noticed.

"Penelope is now a woman, and through her looks, she's showing her determination in finding a future that she wants," said Ökvist.

Finding the new Pen

Change does not happen in a day though, and Penelope needs time to figure herself out. In part one of season 3, viewers will have noticed that she knows what she wants to achieve, yet not necessarily who she wants to be.

“Pen does have her makeover, but it doesn't necessarily have the impact that she thought it would. Because for Penelope, the change that needs to happen is much more about her confidence than it is about her external impression,” explained Brownell.

When the citrus clothes are packed away, Penelope experiments with different shades of green, trying to figure out what is the most "her". Of course, there are some Bridgerton pastels in there, indicating where she is going, but Penelope is still searching for herself.

"Her new colors are all neutrals because we as the audience don’t really know where she is going. We don’t want her to be the old Penelope, we don’t want to fix her into what we think her new character is, so we have kept her new colors very soft,” explained costume designer John Glaser.

*Season 3 part 2 spoilers below*

As the season goes on, viewers then see the show lean heavily into the butterfly metaphor as Penelope grows into her own person. She is changing and that transformation continues in part two as she comes to terms with her double-life as Lady Whistledown and Lady Bridgerton.

Then there is, of course, Penelope's wedding dress in episode 7 of the third season, which shows Penelope at her most vulnerable, not sure about how her wedding is going to go with the Lady Wistledown news hanging over her and Colin. Her dress is stunning, understated and doesn't have any of the frills and fanciness that Penelope of the past would have had. This marks the point where she has truly grown, ready for a life as a married woman. 

By the final episode of series three, Penelope has come out to the world as Lady Whistledown, and at the same time found the confidence to be completely her. The beautiful dark green dress above is her way of showing the world who she is, and that she is no longer afraid to stand out. 

Transforming Mister Bridgerton

Just like Penelope used to have more childlike features, Colin Bridgerton started off season 3 no longer looking like a boy.

"He looks like a man. And his colors are rugged, rich, masculine colors from the earth," said Glaser.

Indeed Colin has been traveling and learning more about himself, so upon his return to the ton he has also emerged from a cocoon. Spending time alone, away from his family and society, has allowed him to better understand who he wants to be.

Blue remains an important color in the Bridgerton family color palette, and Colin’s costuming incorporates the color but it’s a deeper shade than the baby blues viewers will remember seeing him wear in previous seasons.

There is a certain confidence in Colin’s new look that is apparent from the very first episode of season 3, an assertiveness that Penelope is still looking for. However Colin is not the only one whose looks reflect his newfound sense of identity.

An ever-changing ton

Throughout this season, fans follow the Mondriches as they take a new position in society, which affects their sense of who they can now be. Where Will tends to cling onto the past and has a hard time shedding his old self, Alice embraces her place in society.

"Before, Alice’s hair and makeup needed to be sustained by Alice herself, without a maid helping to take care of her kids and the household and everything else that she needed to do.

"But now she’s in a situation where she has help, and people who are trained in sprucing her up so she can actually do her full beauty regime," says Erika Ökvist.

The Mondriches’ costumes are also more sophisticated this season, reflecting their newfound wealth and, one episode after next, they find new ways to shine amongst the ton, where things can change very quickly.

Not unlike the Mondriches, Kate Sharma also has to adapt to a new role this season, being the new Bridgerton viscountess. That too shows through her looks. While elements from her Indian heritage are still visible in her outfits, Kate’s style is evolving and features softer colors, matching her Bridgerton ties.

Similarly, Violet Bridgerton’s wardrobe is becoming more relaxed with her title change. Plus, as the season progresses and she opens herself to the possibility of new love, her costumes match an idea of ease, youthfulness and growing independence that shows, for instance, through dresses with more sparkles.

All episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available to watch worldwide on Netflix. 

All eight episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are finally here, and although we had a bit of a wait between part one and part two thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two halves, the whole series is now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... and of course, it has been far from plain sailing for the couple. 

Here is everything that happened in episode 8... 

The final episode of season 3 opens with Colin and Penelope waking up separately after Colin spent their wedding night on the sofa following their argument about Lady Whistledown. But, Penelope barely has time to think about the fact her marriage is failing before it has begun because Cressida arrives unannounced and tells Penelope that she knows she is Lady Whistledown.

Penelope tries to bluff her way out of the accusation, but Cressida has all the facts and blackmails Penelope, telling her that she will pay her double the Queen's reward so that she can move aboard and set up a new life for herself, otherwise, she will tell everyone that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. Portia arrives and Cressida tells her the truth about Penelope and the penny drops for Lady Featherington, leaving her stunned. 

Portia is fuming about all the cruel things Penelope has written about her sisters and about herself, telling her daughter that she has tried to claw them out of ruin, while all along someone in her own family was shaming them all. She asks if Colin knows and when Penelope says he does, Portia tells her daughter that she can't tell Colin about the blackmail, but Penelope says she won't lie to him anymore. 

Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury play a game of chess and soon the talk turns to Lady Whistledown again. Lady Danbury suggests that if the author is unmasked the fun of the game is over all too quickly, and tells the Queen that Lady Whistledown is more vulnerable than she thinks, suggesting that she has worked out who the writer is. 

While walking, Prudence and Phillipa tell their husbands they want to hold a ball before their pregnancies start showing. Their husbands are horrified, worrying about how much a ball is going to cost. 

Trying to show that there isn't any scandal in their family, Violet takes Francesca and Lord Kilmartin out for tea where they tell her that they would like a small wedding and that they plan to move to John's estate in the Scottish Highlands once they are married because it will be quiet. Violet is horrified that her daughter will be a fortnight's ride away, but tries to be happy for the couple. 

At Bridgerton House Penelope and Portia arrive to tell Colin and Eloise that Cressida has been blackmailing her and is demanding £10,000 for her silence. Colin tells everyone that he will pay Cressida her blackmail money, but Penelope says there is no need because she has the money... leaving everyone shocked that she has made so much money from writing as Whistledown. 

Penelope tries to tell Colin how she wishes to deal with the situation, but he won't listen, telling her he will visit Cressida and talk to her. 

The chat seems to be going well as Colin tries to appeal to Cressida's better nature, but soon talk of a supportive family, something Cressida doesn't have, leaves Cressida cross and adamant that she wants the money. However, instead of £10,000 she now wants £20,000 and a Lady Whistledown paper clearing her name. 

Colin gets back to the Bridgerton House and tells Eloise and Penelope the bad news that he has made things worse, and agrees that they should have paid her in the first place. Colin tells them that he will lie to Benedict about why he needs the money and get him to sign off the £20,000 and he will pay Cressida. 

Meanwhile, Lady Danbury and Violet chat about Lord Anderson, where Agatha tells her friend that she doesn't need her permission if she wishes to be with her brother, Lord Anderson. She tells her that she knows she didn't ask permission when it came to her father (referencing the affair that she had with Violet's father many years ago - something that is revealed in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story) and the pair agree their friendship is too strong to let a man come between them. 

After another night on the sofa, Colin finds the letters he has kept from Penelope over the years and seems to soften towards her when he reads her words. Meanwhile, Portia is waiting for Penelope to arrive for tea when solicitor Walter Dundas arrives and he tells her that he knows the money that she lied about getting from her Aunt Petunia really came from her cousin Jack Featherington, and that he is going to have to report her. But as he goes to leave, Penelope is standing behind him and has heard everything, now knowing that her mother stole money from everyone on the ton to save their family. 

The pair argue about what has happened, but they both say that their actions have been a way of saving their family and they realize that they're more similar than either of them have admitted.

The day of Francesca's wedding has arrived and Violet tells her that she is proud of her but is worried that she will lose her when she goes to Scotland. However they agree that she will come home and visit often, and Francesca reassures her mother that this is the right future for her. 

The wedding takes place in the Bridgerton drawing room and everyone is thrilled as Francesca and Lord Kilmartin are pronounced husband and wife, the pair are very happy and there are tears all around when John makes a very moving speech about the family he has just married into. 

Penelope steals Colin away to talk and tells him that she doesn't want him to pay Cressida off and lie to Benedict about the money when his family is so lovely. She can't bear the thought of lying to them all anymore and says there will always be something between them if they don't tell the truth. So she goes home and writes letters... one for Queen Charlotte and one to Lady Bridgerton, revealing the truth. Penelope then gets a wad of her earnings from her papers and gives them to the Featherington's housemaid, Varley. 

Meanwhile, Benedict has been enjoying his time with Lady Tilley Arnold and Paul Suarez, but it seems being a three has made Tilley jealous and when Benedict visits her that night, she tells him she wants something more serious. However, Benedict has enjoyed not being tied down to one person and tells her he isn't ready for a relationship, leaving her upset. 

The Dinkworth and Finch ball is underway and Prudence and Phillipa are thrilled with the opulence of it all, convinced that their mother must have paid for the whole thing. Little do they know, it was actually Penelope with her Whistledown money... and she has a plan. 

The ball is a success, but soon there is drama when Queen Charlotte arrives and tells the band to stop playing. She takes centre stage and tells the crowd that she has received a letter from Lady Whistledown asking if she can address everyone herself and plead her case publically before asking the monarch for mercy... and soon Penelope bravely takes to the stage, leaving everyone shocked that she is Whistledown. 

Penelope nervously makes a moving speech about how she didn't think anyone would take her writing seriously at first, but the reason she wrote about them all is because she was so captivated by them. She admits to being careless about the power that Whistledown gave her and tells everyone that she is sorry about her actions. She says she is grateful to the Queen for forcing her out of her shadows and that if she is allowed to continue her writing then she promises to use her quill more responsibly. 

The Queen tells Penelope that it is good she is humble, and hints she is allowed to continue writing by exiting the ball by telling everyone 'what is life without a little gossip?'

There is stunned silence all around as everyone processes what has just happened, but as they digest all this information Varley releases the bugs that the Featherington sisters wanted at their ball, which turn out to be beautiful butterflies and everyone is delighted. 

Soon the dancing starts and everyone has a great evening while Landy Danbury tells Penelope that she suspected that she was Lady Whistledown all along and that she is looking forward to her next edition.

Portia tells Penelope she is a wonder, and they reveal they have been working together on their plan. Penelope tells her mother that now she has been accepted as a writer she can tell the solicitor that the family money came from her earnings and not from their cousin Jack, saving the family name. 

Colin finds Penelope and thanks her for writing to his mother, who was shocked but impressed by the news. Penelope tells Colin that she wouldn't reject an annulment because she doesn't want to disgrace his family, but Colin tells her that she and Lady Whistledown are one person and that there is no separating her. He tells her that her speech was brilliant and that he is envious of her success, and that he is looking forward to spending his life loving a woman as amazing as her. 

The couple takes to the dance floor, along with Lord Anderson and Violet, who is nervous about dancing, but very happy. 

Meanwhile, Eloise asks Francesca if she would mind if she came with her to Scotland, wanting adventure in her life - after all, how can she change the world if she hasn't seen any of it?! 

As we see Cressida taken off to Wales in shame, Eloise packs up and says her goodbyes as she joins Lord Kilmartin and Francesca on their journey to the Highlands, waving goodbye to the family as they leave. 

The very end of the epsiode reveals Prudence, Phillipa and Penelope have all had a baby... with Prudence and Phillipa both having girls, while it was Penelope and Colin who had a son - the next Lord featherington and heir to the family fortune. 

Meanwhile, Hyacinth arrives with the latest paper from Lady Whistledown, and as  Julie Andrews’ familiar voice plays out, it soon blends into Penelope's voice as she signs off her latest paper with her own name, now no longer writing under a secret name. Penelope then delivers the final line of the season: “Hopefully dear reader, you will stay on to enjoy them with me, as we begin this next part of our journey. Yours truly, Penelope Bridgerton.”

All episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available on Netflix now. 

All eight episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are finally here, and although we had a bit of a wait between part one and part two thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two halves, the whole series is now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... and of course, it has been far from plain sailing for the couple. 

Here is everything that happened in episode 7... 

The seventh, and penultimate episode of the third season sees the wedding of Colin and Penelope finally arrive - but after Colin unearthed the shocking truth that Penelope is Lady Whistledown in episode six, there is doubt about whether the nuptials will even go ahead. 

The episode opens right where the previous one left off, with Colin confronting Penelope in a dark street after discovering she is Lady Whistledown. They argue as Penelope tries to apologise but as the reality of what is happening dawns on Colin he tells Penelope that he will never forgive her, before walking away and leaving her in the street alone.

The following morning the latest Whistledown society paper has arrived and we hear Cressida's voice as the voiceover, telling her readers that she is proud to be Whistledown before going on to ridicule the Bridgerton family, telling lies about them and leaving Violet horrified about the things that she is saying. 

But as Violet is reading the paper, another Whistledown arrives - this time the one that we know Penelope has written. This time this one is read out with the proper Lady Whistledown voiceover (narrated by Julie Andrews) and she belittles Cressida, telling her readers that while Whistledown might gossip, she always tells the truth. She then goes on to cement her place as the true Lady Whistledown by revealing gossip from round Mayfair, reminding people that she is always listening and on the look out of news. 

Back at Cressida's house, her father is fuming with her and locks her in her room until her aunt Jo comes to take her back to Wales. Cressida is heartbroken and regrets throwing the Bridgertons to the wolves, blaming her mother for her now broken friendship with Eloise. 

Elsewhere, Penelope is walking with her family when she sees Eloise and she tells her that Colin knows the truth. Eloise is surprised and asks how her brother is, and Penelope replies that her wedding is hanging by a thread and that Colin won't even speak to her. She asks Eloise for help, but she says she can't do anything and that she won't help despite Penelope laying her heart on the line for her. 

Back at home, Colin asks Eloise how long she has known that Penelope is Lady Whistledown and she admits it has been since last year. He is cross that she didn't tell him, but also she is cross that he didn't tell her that he was in love with her best friend. Eloise tries to defend Penelope to Colin and reveals that she is trying to find a way to forgive her. 

As Violet and Portia discuss the wedding breakfast, Colin can barely look at Penelope. She asks him if he wants to call off the wedding but he tells her he is a man of honour and as they were intimate that he will still marry her. He asks if this was her way of entrapping him into marriage, but she is adamant that was never her plan. The mothers both know something is wrong between their children, but they have no idea what has gone on. Colin asks Penelope if she will stop publishing, but she tells him she doesn't know and he is cross.

Elsewhere, Benedict goes to visit Lady Tilley Arnold and she explains about what happened the night before. She says that she has a similar relationship with Paul Suarez as she does with Benedict but that Mr Suarez also likes men. She explains that Mr Suarez thought he shared a moment with Benedict the night before and it gives Benedict food for thought.

At the same time, Lord Anderson comes to call on Violet and she is all of a fluster when he arrives, leaving her housemaid amused. He is charming as ever and asks her if they could perhaps spend more time together once the wedding is over. She agrees and tells him that she needs to get her affairs in order before anything can happen, and suggests that he also needs to do the same, referring to his feud with his sister, Lady Danbury.

That evening, Penelope goes to see Genevieve Delacroix and she thinks she is there because it is the night before her wedding. However, Penelope tells her that she is there because Colin knows the truth. Madame Delacroix offers her advice, telling her that she needs to look forward and own her decisions. But as Penelope goes to leave Colin catches her out alone at night and grills her about where she has been. When she fails to answer, he refuses to tell her what he was doing wandering the streets the night before their wedding and the pair argue. But there are clearly still feelings between them because their argument turns into a passionate kiss that only stops because a carriage goes by. Soon Colin puts Penelope into a carriage home and says he will see her at their wedding in the morning. 

When Colin gets home he is shocked to find Kate and Anthony there waiting for him. They have arrived a day early after Violet asked them to give him some marital advice the night before his wedding. They share their wisdom and reveal that marriage isn't easy and that you have to work at it, but it is worth it in the end. 

The next day Lady Danbury finds her brother in her drawing room and she ins't pleased to see him until he apologises for his wrongs in the past, telling her that he admires her greatly and wants them to be friends again. She soon softens, putting the past behind them and telling him that they have a wedding to attend. 

Meanwhile at the palace Queen Charlotte is listening to people's stories about who they think Whistledown is, everyone wanting that £5000 reward. But it is only when the Queen puts both Cressida and Lady Whistledown's papers next to one another that the penny drops and she releases that the true author must be a Bridgerton because of the way she has tried to defend the family in her latest edition. 

At the church, everyone is gathering for the wedding of the year, with everyone excited to see Colin and Penelope get married. Penelope is stunning in her wedding dress, but nervous about how Colin is going to be with her, but as she walks down the aisle he gives her a little nod of encouragement and she realises all is going to be okay. He looks happy as they say their vows and they are finally married, sharing a kiss as they are pronounced husband and wife... and even Eloise has a little tear in her eye at the happy moment. 

At the wedding breakfast everything is very opulent and very 'Portia' but everyone seems to have having a good time. As Kate and Anthony talk about going to India to have their baby, Penelope is fed up of feeling like a wallflower at her own wedding and asks Colin to dance with her. They take to the centre of the room and dance like no one is watching. 

Soon everyone else joins in and the wedding is a huge success until Queen Charlotte arrives unannounced and demands that anyone who isn't a Bridgerton leaves the room. Penelope goes to exit, but Colin reminds her that she is a Bridgerton now, and soon the Queen tells them that she knows one of them is hiding a secret and that she intends to find out who it is. 

It's a tense moment until Francesca steps forward and tells the Queen that she is secretly engaged and that she is sorry she hasn't told her and asked for her permission to marry Lord Kilmartin. But the Queen isn't bothered by her engagement and it is Lady Whistledown that she wants to unmask.

Anthony tells the Queen that no one there is Lady Whistledown and the Queen leaves without finding out who she really is... and Penelope leaves the room in a hurry, horrified at the moment that almost got her in trouble with the monarch.

Colin follows and tells her that this is proof that she needs to stop writing as Lady Whistledown, if anything to keep her safe. But Penelope refuses to give up her lives work and Colin tells her that he will sleep on the sofa that night, despite it being their wedding night. Eloise hears what has happened and hugs Penelope, telling her that everything will be okay.

While Colin and Penelope's new marriage hangs in the balance, Benedict is seen going to Lady Tilley Arnold's house and spends the night with her and Mr Suarez.

But while the Queen might not have found out who Lady Whistledown is at the wedding, it seems Penelope's secret won't stay hidden for long because Cressida is at the printers, trying to get her money from the paper printed the previous week, needing the money to run away from home. But the printer tells her that she can't be Lady Whistledown because he has heard that the true author has red hair. Intrigued for more information, Cressida presses him for more, and we can see him telling her everything he knows. 

Is she about to work out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown?

All episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available on Netflix now. 

All eight episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are finally here, and although we had a bit of a wait between part one and part two thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two halves, the whole season is now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... and of course, it has been far from plain sailing for the couple. But while they finally got together at the end of part one, there is still the looming secret of Lady Whistledown threatening to shatter their happiness... 

The fifth episode of season 3 opens with everyone on the ton wondering where their latest Whistledown paper is. With Cressida 'confessing' that she is the author in episode 5, there is now a shortage of gossip in Mayfair. Meanwhile, the real Lady Whistledown, Penelope, has been hiding away after her fainting incident and is desperately trying, but failing, to write a new paper. 

Colin comes to find Penelope, worried she is ill, and she tries to hide her inky hands from him. As the pair talk of their love for one another, Lady Featherington does a really bad job of pretending she isn't eavesdropping on their every word. After the pair have discussed Cressida's claims to be Whistledown, Colin presents Penelope with her engagement ring, which she is thrilled with... so thrilled with that she forgets her inky hands as he puts it on her finger. He questions her dirty hands and she claims she has been writing letters to everyone letting them know of their engagement and Colin seems to buy her lies. 

Over at Cressida's house, she is thrilled when her father tells her that the elderly man she was meant to be marrying has withdrawn his offer of marriage, but her happy mood is soon ruined when her fuming father reveals she is a disgrace to the family and will be moving to live with her aunt Jo in Wales. Her mother is more understanding, not believing for a moment that her daughter is Whistledown and trying to come up with a plan to make all this drama go away... but before they can come up with a plan, the Queen's soldiers arrive and announce that Queen Charlotte has demanded she comes to the palace immediately. 

As Lord Anderson calls to collect his hat from the Bridgerton House, it is clear that he is there for more than to pick up forgotten items and he flirts with Violet, who enjoys his attention. But soon she is distracted when Francesca and Lord Kilmartin announce that they are getting married. Everyone is pleased and now there is a second wedding in the family to organize. 

Colin and Eloise talk about Cressida being Whistledown and he asks if she knew. At first, Eloise thinks he is talking about Penelope and almost blows her cover, but quickly works out their crossed wires and keeps Penelope's secret when she realizes just how heartbroken Colin would be if he found out the truth - and that she had also been lying to him all this time, as well as Penelope.  

Eloise goes to see Penelope, who is still trying to write her next Whistledown paper and asks her to give up writing the gossip and instead focus on her marriage to Colin. At first, Penelope is upset about the prospect of giving up her life's work, but she knows Eloise is right and she can't have Wistledown and Colin in her life. 

Over at the palace Queen Charlotte meets with Cressida and makes it clear she doesn't believe for a moment that she is Whistledown. The Queen tells Cressida that she will get the £5000 reward as soon as she publishes her next paper... something she knows she can only do if she really is Whistledown. Cressida panics, knowing that she has got her work cut out and her mother tells her that if she cements her name as Whistledown by publishing a paper, then no one will marry her, to which Cressida points out that no one will marry her now. 

Francesca and Lord Kilmartin are upset when Violet says they should wait to announce their engagement, knowing that the Queen isn't going to be too happy about it, having set her sights on matching Francesca with someone else. But the couple say that's why they want to ask the Queen for her blessing, and they want Violet to talk to the monarch for them. 

As the Featheringtons start planning Penelope's wedding, she is hiding in her room, claiming she still doesn't feel well, but really is stewing over the fact she has to give up her Whistledown papers. But Portia goes to see her daughter and in a rare moment of warmth she tells Penelope that she is lucky, she has a love match with a very eligible man, and she should not take it for granted. 

At church the next morning Colin and Penelope's bands are read, and to their relief, no one opposes their wedding, which is to take place in three weeks time. As everyone else files out of the church, Colin and Penelope share a moment together, where Colin presses Penelope on what it was she wanted to talk to him about. But instead of confessing about Whistledown, she tells him that she has been in love with him since the moment they met, and they dance, looking like the picture of happiness.

Outside the church, Lady Danbury, who is annoyed with her brother's flirting with Violet, tries to set him up with another widow. Meanwhile, Eloise is shocked to see Cressida hovering around and goes to talk to her. Knowing she has got her work cut out pretending to be Whistledown, Cressida asks Eloise to be her writing partner. However, secretly knowing that she is lying about being Whistledown, Eloise tells her no and that they are no longer friends. 

That night, Penelope hides her writing things under her floorboards, and burns her collection of Lady Whistledown papers, making the decision that she is going to put that part of her life aside so she can focus on marrying Colin. But in a sad reminder of what she is giving up for marriage, we then see Colin in contrast happily writing his travel memoirs. 

Under Lady Danbury's guidance, Mr and Mrs Mondrich plan a ball and invite the Queen, while Penelope throws herself into wedding planning. But things are still sour for Cressida who is struggling to write her first Whistledown. Her mother tells her that her father has withdrawn her dowry, and so now they need that £5000 from the Queen more than ever to secure her a husband from the continent or the countryside. 

Benedict, who is clearly falling for Lady Tilley Arnold, agrees to meet a friend of hers called Paul for dinner that night. He grills Benedict on his interests and when they later go for a smoke, Benedict asks him why he and Lady Arnold were never a couple if they are such good friends. Paul hints that he is more interested in Benedict than Tilley, and soon the friends ask Benedict to join them upstairs, an idea he is shocked by, and he makes a hasty exit. 

At the Mondrich ball, the Queen seems underwhelmed by the whole evening until they unveil a stunning flowery centerpiece and soon the mood lifts when Queen Charlotte shows her appreciation. But soon the drama of the evening ramps up when Cressida arrives uninvited and with her brings with her a Whistledown announcement telling everyone that a new paper is imminent. Soon Eloise is panicking and Penelope is forced to take her out of the room, while Queen Charlotte is quietly impressed and tells Cressida that she is looking forward to tomorrow's edition of the paper. 

Meanwhile, Francesca asks her mother to talk to the Queen there and then, but she refuses, telling her daughter it isn't the time. Francesca notes her reluctance to talk to the monarch and tells her that she loves Lord Kilmartin and that even if it isn't the match her mother wanted for her, she intends to marry him. 

Violet leaves the ball upset and Lord Anderson goes after her, only to be stopped in his tracks by Lady Danbury and we finally find out what the siblings have been warring about all this time. Lord Anderson thought it was because he was the family favorite, being the firstborn son, but Lady Danbury reveals it is because he ruined her chance of happiness by telling their father that she was trying to run away the night before her wedding. 

Eloise tells Penelope that they have created a monster in Cressida and that she can't believe she has somehow written something coherent. She tells Penelope that Cressida now has almost as much power over the ton as the Queen and she has put all her family in danger once again by inviting her into her family home. 

Worried, they come up with a plan where Penelope will write one more paper in which she will discredit Cressida and put an end to her power. But as Penelope hastily writes and takes it to her printers in disguise and under the cover of darkness, Colin catches her in the act and finally the penny drops that she is Lady Whistlesown. Let the fallout commence! 

All episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available on Netflix now. 

All eight episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are finally here, and although we had a bit of a wait between part one and part two thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two halves, the whole season is now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... and of course, it has been far from plain sailing for the couple. But while they finally got together at the end of part one, there is still the looming secret of Lady Whistledown threatening to shatter their happiness... 

Episode five picks up exactly where the fourth episode ended, with Colin and Penelope arriving at the Bridgerton house after that steamy carriage ride home from a ball. Penelope, who is still trying to regain her composure from what has just happened on the journey home, looks completely overwhelmed by everything. However, she has clearly accepted Colin's proposal because the pair head in to tell his family their happy news. 

Everyone is thrilled, with Violet Bridgerton giving the couple her blessing in a heartbeat. But as the whole family celebrates, there is one person not happy about the news and that is, of course, Eloise, who makes her excuses and leaves. 

Penelope follows her former friend and the pair argue in the hallway about the fact Colin and Penelope's engagement is based on a lie, with Eloise telling her 'Until he knows the real you, he cannot possibly love you' (she does, as usual, have a very valid point!) and Penelope promises to tell Colin that she is Whistledown, but is waiting for the right time to break the news. 

Of course, it is only fitting that everyone should find out the news of Penelope's engagement through a Lady Whistledown paper, which Penelope has apparently gone home that evening to write. The news spreads around the ton the next morning, with everyone from Lady Danbury to Queen Charlotte finding out the news. 

Kate and Anthony, who are oblivious to the drama at Bridgerton House, are on their way to see their family with some news of their own... they're having a baby! But, of course, the news of Colin and Penelope's engagement overshadows everything and they decide to keep it to themselves for a little longer. 

Meanwhile, Eloise is ranting to Cressida about Penelope marrying her brother, but Cressida has more pressing things on her mind as her parents have decided to arrange a marriage for her after she failed to find a husband on her own, and now she is to marry a man three times her age.

Another person not too happy about the news is Portia Featherington, Penelope's mother, who has discovered that her daughter is engaged through Lady Whistledown's paper. Portia tells Penelope that Lord Debling was a good match and that she has ruined everything by 'trapping' the most eligible bachelor on the marriage mart. But as she lays into Penelope, Colin arrives unannounced and tells Portia that he loves Penelope, there was no trapping involved, and that if anyone is the most eligible person on the marriage mart, it is Penelope. Sigh... 

Colin takes Penelope to a very fancy disused house that has 'been in the family for years' and tells her it is where they are going to live when they are married. She looks underwhelmed by the whole thing and he worries that she doesn't like it. However, she is still stunned by the way he stood up for her with her mother and tells Coin that no one has ever done that for her before. 

He tells Penelope how much he loves her, going through all the reasons he finds her irresistible and soon they have sex for the first time, with Colin, who, let's face it has been around the block a few times, showing Penelope the way. Afterwards, Penelope tries to tell Colin about her Lady Whistledown secret, but they are interrupted by someone arriving at the house and they race to get dressed.

As Eloise offloads to Kate about how she isn't happy Colin and Penelope are getting married, Kate encourages her to talk to them both, claiming honesty is the best policy. But while she is dishing out advice, Kate is also busily organizing an engagement party for the happy couple, placing orders with the cook and putting together an evening they will never forget. 

Portia Featherington is still stewing over the dressing-down Colin gave her when she discovers Walter Dundas has been back to the house again to quiz her about the document that claims the next male heir of the Featherington family will inherit the estate. Realizing that she might need the Bridgerton family more than she'd like to admit, she decides to be nicer to Penelope and encourage her engagement, hoping it might give her family some financial security. 

Meanwhile, Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury are discussing the Queen's cat-and-mouse game with Lady Whistledown and are now so determined to find out the author's true identity, that the Queen is offering a £5000 reward for anyone to unmasks her. Colin is thrilled when he finds out the news, but Penelope is understandably panicked, knowing her secret isn't going to be safe for much longer. 

Cressida is forced to meet with her elderly future husband and is horrified when he says he wants 5 babies. She clutches the letter from the Queen promising £5000 and becomes determined to be the one to unmask Lady Whistledown so she can get the reward money and get out of this horrible match her parents have organized for her. 

With the engagement ball underway for Penelope and Colin, everyone is thrilled for the pair. The ball is a huge success, although Lady Danbury isn't pleased to see her brother, Lord Anderson, has arrived and is charming his way into Violet Bridgerton's affections. 

Colin apologizes to Penelope that Cressida is there, claiming it must have been Eloise who invited her, but Penelope is more worried about the fact Eloise is putting pressure on her to tell Colin her Whistledown secret. She gives Penelope until midnight that evening, otherwise, she will tell him herself. 

The entire evening, Penelope has her eye on the clock but can't seem to find the right time to tell her future husband that she has been keeping a huge secret. Colin makes a heartfelt speech about his love for Penelope and everyone melts over their love match. However, Eloise soon chips in with some awkward anecdotes about time ticking in marriage and then Portia pipes up with an equally awkward speech that leaves everyone baffled. 

Meanwhile, Francesca is head over heels for John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and when she encourages him to tell her family and Lady Danbury a funny story that he'd told her the previous day, he struggles with having an audience and goes shy. However, a call for charades in the drawing room saves him and they all head off for the game. 

Charades gets competitive between Penelope and Eloise but soon talk turns to Lady Whistledown who everyone mocks and Penelope rushes out. Colin is worried and goes to find her, but while they are gone everyone says how maybe Whilstledown will never marry now because of her scandalous secret and that she will be richer than them all once her identity is revealed. You can practically see the cogs turning in Cressida's mind as she realizes this is the perfect way to get out of her horrid doomed marriage. 

As Eloise sees the clock has struck midnight and goes to tell Colin the truth, it all gets too much for Penelope and she faints, just as Cressida stands up and declares to the whole room that she is Lady Whistledown, leaving everyone stunned. 

All episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available on Netflix now. 

Bridgerton season 3 fans have been waiting a whole month, desperate to find out what happens next in the Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton romance. But, thankfully, the wait is finally over (almost) as the remaining four episodes of the third season land on Netflix tomorrow morning. 

However, while the streaming site might have stopped our binging tendencies by releasing this season in two parts, they have redeemed themselves by releasing the first four minutes of episode 5 early - and you can watch it here.

The sneak peek at the next episode picks up exactly where episode four left off, with Colin and Penelope arriving at Bridgerton House and Penelope trying to regain her composure after that steamy carriage ride.

While we are led to understand that Penelope has accepted Colin's proposal as they arrive to tell his family the shock news that they are engaged, the one thing about this four-minute clip that will have fans miffed is that we have been denied the moment when Penelope finally says 'yes' to Colin.

Okay - in the grand scheme of things maybe it is not that important, after all, what matters is that they are finally a couple, but it would have been nice to see Penelope accept when Colin asked her to marry him. 

Proposals aside, the newly engaged couple are soon swept up in the excitement of the Bridgerton family as everyone congratulates them on their news. But, of course, there is one person not too happy about the announcement and that is Eloise, who is fuming about the turn of events and hastily excuses herself from the room. 

But this is Bridgerton, and so there is always something standing in the way of the main couple's happiness... and this time it is the looming secret that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. Something that Eloise knows, and now that her former best friend is engaged to her brother, is likely a secret that she won't be happy to keep for much longer. 

Eloise tells Penelope in the first look clip, 'Until he knows the real you, he cannot possibly love you' - and while Eloise, as usual, has a very valid point... we can't wait to see how the next four episodes play out and how the Whistledown secret is inevitably revealed. 

Bridgerton season 3 part 1 is available on Netflix now, part 2 lands on Thursday, June 13. 

Due to the annoying wait for the second part of Bridgerton season 3, I was wondering what to watch in between on Netflix. Having seen Colin and Penelope skirt around each other for four episodes, I was clearly in the mood for fluffy period dramas so enter Queen Charlotte... 

First things first this certainly isn't a fluffy period drama! Indeed, Queen Charlotte could easily stand outside the Bridgerton universe and is a world apart from its better-known cousin.

Queen Charlotte was released in May 2023, but it doesn't feel like it ever got the attention it deserved. It has far more emotional depth than Bridgerton, which is wonderful fun but essentially boils down to boy meets girl, boy/girl has some reason why they can't be with the other, everything gets sorted after some nice balls and they live happily ever after. Queen Charlotte is a love story, but unlike any of the Bridgerton series, it's a tragic one (warning minor spoilers ahead). 

Set decades before Bridgerton, it follows the story of young Queen Charlotte's marriage to King George. Anyone with a cursory knowledge of history will know that King George suffered from terrible mental illness. But when Charlotte, beautifully and mesmerically played by India Amarteifio, first meets George moments before their wedding, he's perfectly charming. Thinking that perhaps marrying into the British royal family isn't for her, she tries to escape over a hedge. But King George — or "Just George" as he tells her she can call him — flashes her a winning smile and she's convinced to stay.

What ensues is a wonderful and deeply moving story of love as Charlotte learns about George's mental health problems. Convinced that George truly loves her, she decides to stay in England and fight to protect him from those who'd take his crown and worse. There are desperately painful scenes as Charlotte senses at times she's losing George, but despite everything they stay together. Corey Mylchreest is fantastic as George and the drama is lifted whenever the pair are on screen. 

There's also a great secondary romance story between the pair's young servants — The Queen's man Brimsley (Sam Clemmett) and The King's man Reynolds (Freddie Dennis). Brimsley, who also features in the main Bridgerton as an older man played by Hugh Sachs, is always six paces behind Charlotte ensuring her every need is met. While Reynolds is desperate to protect the king and tries to save him from the cruel "treatment" he receives from the awful Doctor Monro (Guy Henry). Whenever they're not serving their masters, they grab the chance to be together and their relationship develops throughout the series.

The third romance involves the young Lady Agatha Danbury (Arsema Thomas) and her future friend Violet Bridgerton's father. Don't worry he's allowed to cheat on Violet's mum because she's a racist snob. The romance, though, is the least interesting of the three in the drama and actually, Agatha's best scenes are her clashing with George's plotting mother, Princess Augusta. Lady Danbury is trying to secure the future of her family and make sure the racially integrated ton survives beyond Queen Charlotte's reign.

The weakest aspect of the whole drama is when it leaps forward in time to the period featured in Bridgerton. We've taken this long to get to this aspect of the drama because it really isn't that interesting. Save for some amusing scenes where the older Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) tells Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) she'd, erm, like her garden tendered again, it feels a waste. There are also some dreary scenes between the older Queen Charlotte and her grown-up tiresome children. 

This great drama is all about Charlotte and just George and when they're on screen it sizzles. Watch it now on Netflix.

The new trailer for Bridgerton season 3 part 2 has landed, and boy was it worth the wait. Not only does it show us more of Penelope and Colin's new romance, but there is drama on the horizon as a huge twist is teased. 

Bridgerton fans have been desperately waiting since last month to find out what happens next in Penelope and Colin's love story after the pair finally got together after a very steam carriage ride home from a ball. 

After four episodes of watching the pair's friendship blossom into a will-they-won't-they romance, we finally got the moment we were waiting for when Colin proposed to Penelope - however before she could answer, the episode ended and we have been forced to wait until Thursday, June 13 for the next four episodes to land on Netflix. 

However, the new trailer was released today (Monday, June 3) and we now know that  Penelope accepts Colin's proposal (of course she does!) and the pair look the picture of happiness as they share their news with their friends and family. 

But, as news spreads around the ton of their engagement, there is one person who isn't happy, and that is Colin's sister and Penelope's former BFF, Eloise.

Eloise, one of the few people who knows Penelope's huge secret that she is Lady Whistledown, tells Pen in the trailer: "Until he knows the real you, he cannot possibly love you". Soon it looks like Penelope's secret is unraveling when Colin notices ink on her hands and she is forced to lie to him that she has been writing letters... not the scathing society gossip papers that get everyone talking.

And it doesn't look like Eloise is going to give up without a fight because at the end of the trailer, she is seen saying to Penelope: "If it is too difficult for you to reveal the truth, then I will reveal it for you". As a clock counts down to midnight, Penelope looks panicked, like she might have been given an ultimatum... and soon she turns after what looks like a confrontation with someone, only to find Colin standing behind her... has he just overheard the truth?

Only 10 days to wait until we find out everything! In the meantime here is the trailer below...

Bridgerton season 3 part one is available to watch worldwide on Netflix. Part two will land on Netflix on Thursday, June 13, 2024. 

It's not uncommon for new shows on Netflix to get widely praised by critics but poorly received, or totally ignored, by audiences. However recently that situation has been flipped around, thanks to a new workplace comedy from the streamer.

This new show is Tires, which was created by and stars American stand-up comedians Shane Gillis and Steve Gerben as well as frequent collaborator John McKeever, who directed all the episodes. Reportedly this show was totally funded by Gillis himself, and it debuted on Thursday, May 23.

Tires is about the workers of a struggling auto repair shop who are beset by incompetence or laziness, despite their need to turn the fortunes of the shop around. It's a workplace comedy in the spirit of The Office or Superstore.

If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, you'll find that Tires is one of Netflix's worst-received shows recently, sitting at just 43 percent on the Tomatometer at the time of writing. Critics are calling the humor "juvenile" and the show "cheap" although a few critics admit to laughing at some of the jokes.

However, if you look at the audience score, you'll see something much more glowing: it sits at 91%, which is notably higher than the likes of Baby Reindeer, Bridgerton season 3 or Ripley. You read that right, Tires has been received better by fans than Netflix's ratings-smashing newest season of Bridgerton, which has an 87% audience rating.

It's clear from the audience reviews that plenty of Shane Gillis fans are coming out in force to support the show — for those who don't know, Gillis is a little bit of a divisive figure after getting fired from SNL — but others are enjoying it in its own right.

If you're worried about the show falling too much into the genre of 'bro comedy', you might find Tires pleasantly surprising: the childish and laddish culture of the auto repair shop seems to be the the butt of jokes, rather than the point of them (this is coming from the first two episodes, which I watched).

There's also something to enjoy here if you like Netflix's phenomenal sketch show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, because Gerben's performance as beleaguered store owner Will channels more than a little of Robinson's chaotic energy in episodes.

Still, Tires is definitely not for everybody. But with 20-minute-long episodes, like a good comedy should, it's easy to check out the show to see if it's to your taste.

Bridgerton season 3 is finally here, and while we might have a little wait on our hands to find out what will happen after THAT steamy carriage scene between Penelope and Colin, it's not long before part 2 lands on Netflix on June 13. 

The first part of the third season has been met with rave reviews from viewers, and as a long-time Bridgerton fan, I was looking forward to seeing the next installment in the period drama. 

However, I have to confess that while I was fully invested in Daphne and Simon's romance in Bridgerton season 1 and couldn't get enough of the will they/won't they drama between Kate and Anthony in Bridgerton season 2... I was slightly worried I wouldn't love the romance between Penelope and Colin.

I have been a big fan of their friendship over the first two seasons but wasn't sure if that would develop convincingly into a fully-fledged romance. I also found Penelope a lightly annoying character with her Whistledown secrets and all those lies. But how wrong I was!

This season has made me fall in love with Penelope as a character in a completely different way. Yes, she might be able to hold the world's longest grudge, but who wouldn't after hearing the cruel words that Colin uttered to his friends at the end of season 2? 

This season she is determined while also vulnerable and that mix makes her loveable all over again. Also, that glow-up - there hasn't been a Bridgerton makeover like it, and her moment walking into the party in her new ballgown with all eyes on her will go down in Bridgerton history books.

And how amazing are her Whistledown papers? She has the whole of the ton in the palm of her hand and they don't even know it. Even Queen Charlotte has met her match in Penelope's pseudonym. 

So now that we know Colin's heart lies with Penelope (something we knew as viewers way before he did) how will their future pan out? All Bridgerton fans hope they will get their happy ever after at the end of season 3, but what will the final four episodes bring?

While we have our own Bridgerton predictions about what might be on the horizon, one thing is for sure... Penelope deserves her happy ending. Whether she marries Colin, Lord Debling or someone else, whoever she marries needs to accept her for who she is... Whistledown secrets and all.

The first four episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are available to stream worldwide on Netflix now. Bridgerton season 3 part 2 will be available to stream on Netflix on June 13.

Dearest Gentle Reader, Bridgerton, Shondaland’s famed courting of singletons, is upon us once again. Although this time, season 3 has been split into two parts leaving us stranded between now and the next four episodes. Part 1 floated gracefully onto Netflix on May 16, yet we’ll have to wait until June 13 for the conclusion of Colin and Penelope’s friends-turned-lovers tale. 

Nevertheless, we’ve firmly arrived at the ton for the 1815 season. Anthony and Kate returned from their honeymoon, the Featherington ladies are reveling in their readmittance to good standing in society, and, most importantly, we’ve witnessed this year’s crop of debutantes enter the marriage mart. 

While we waited to see who would be this year’s diamond pick from the Queen, there was a new suitor catching everyone’s eye as Colin Bridgerton returned from his travels around Europe with a new look and new confidence. Flirting up a storm with a ‘sturdier’ appearance and a whole heap of winking, Colin surprised us all with his new personality and along with it some rather steamy threesome scenes, placing Bridgerton firmly back into raunchy period drama status.

It’s over the first four episodes though, that we’ve been introduced to this season’s dazzling couple. One that’s been a long time coming. For Part 1, we’ve reveled in the longing glances and deal-turned-real kiss between Colin and Penelope. But what’s next for Polin in Part 2? And the rest of the ton? 

There are many paths to follow and predictions to make as we wait until June 13, especially given the absolutely precipitous cliffhanger that the Part 1 finale left us hanging from. So while we wait to find out what is next, here is what we think could happen in the next installment of the third season...

Warning - major spoilers for Bridgerton season 3 part 1 to follow.

Colin and Penelope get engaged

It’d be fair to assume that Colin’s proposal that left us on tenterhooks at the end of Part 1 is to be accepted by Penelope. The pair were intertwined in a rather steamy session in the carriage box, only halted by the arrival at Bridgerton House before he asked for her hand in marriage. Penelope has clearly been infatuated with Colin for a very long time, despite her efforts to find a practical match in Lord Debling, so this proposal would be a dream come true.

So, why wouldn’t she accept the proposal? With love at the forefront and the spark clearly ignited between the pair, it’d be hard to find a reason that she wouldn’t. Oh, apart from the fact Colin is yet to learn her true identity as Lady Whistledown, but we’ll get into that next.

Colin finds out who Lady Whistledown is

You really don’t want it to happen given that Colin and Penelope are finally together, but inevitably it’s going to. Showrunner Jess Brownell herself confirmed it by telling Netflix Tudum, “Colin is going to find out Penelope is Lady Whistledown”. Quite rightly so. Given that they’re most likely getting married, it’d be hard for Pen to continue to hide her identity from him. 

Also, Colin’s sister and Pen’s ex-best friend Eloise knows the truth. Her reputation for keeping secrets isn’t a good one given she spread that Colin was giving Penelope private lessons on how to charm a man in the first place. How Colin will deal with the news is a totally different matter. We heard him say in Part 1 that if he ever found out who she was he’d “make sure it is her life that is ruined”.

Episode six is called ‘Romancing Mr. Bridgerton’, which mirrors the name of Julia Quinn’s novel. It is within this novel that Colin finds out about Penelope after seeing her leave the latest Whistledown paper at a church. In the book, this happens before the carriage scene and clearly brings them together. In the show, we’ve gone off-piste. It’s clear that Colin is also a fan of writing, after Pen discovers his travel journals, but whether he’s impressed by their shared talent or continues down the path of ruin, we’ll have to see.

Lady Featherington’s lies will unravel

We know from season 2 that Penelope’s identity is not the only secret in the Featherington household. After cousin Jack and Lady Featherington worked together to scam members of the ton by selling fake jewels, she persuaded him to leave but lied about him going with all the money. She also forged a document with the help of her housekeeper, Varley, to say that the first male born of her daughters would inherit the entire estate and fortune in a desperate bid to keep everything in the family.

Then comes the arrival of Walter Dundas, a worker at the Crown dedicated to securing the lines of succession. Dundas starts sniffing around the Featherington estate asking questions about the validity of the document. It most certainly feels like we haven’t seen the last of him and Lady Featherington has been eager to get her daughters pregnant as soon as possible to produce a male heir before he returns. 

Fortunately, it seems both daughters are pregnant by the end of Part 1 with complaints of tender chests and vomiting, but there’s been no confirmation on either pregnancy. Varley herself said the truth has a way of rearing its ugly head. Just how ugly it gets, we’re sure will be revealed.

Francesca will choose her heart over her head

Another Bridgerton lady made her debut this season, the pianoforte-loving Francesca. Much more interested in her passion for music than finding love, Francesca upsets her mother, Violet, by acting seemingly uninterested in the marriage mart and looking simply for a match that will be straightforward and easy.

The debutantes, Francesca included, fail to impress Queen Charlotte to begin with, leading the Queen to declare she won’t be selecting a diamond this year. She will, though, be choosing someone who sparkles. After hearing Francesca’s pianoforte, she chooses her as her ‘sparkler’ and selects Lord Samadani as her match.

It becomes clear almost immediately that Francesca isn’t happy with Lord Samadani, but it appears she may persevere because it’s what society has chosen for her. Enter Lord Kilmartin. An unexpected suitor in the mix, he impresses her with a gesture of music rather than words or pledges. As Part 1 concludes, we see Francesca smiling giddily for Kilmartin leading us to predict that she’ll choose her heart and pursuit of love over her head. Although it seems Violet wanted this for her daughter all along, she seems worried.

We’ll see more of Violet Bridgerton’s new suitor

Francesca isn’t the only one with a love interest in season 3 part 1. In the Bridgerton prequel spin-off, Queen Charlotte, we were given a deeper look into Violet Bridgerton. If you’re yet to see it, one important part is the revelation that she was ready for someone to tend to her garden after so many years alone following the passing of Viscount Bridgerton. And it appears we have a gardener in our midst. 

Lady Danbury’s brother, Lord Marcus Anderson has returned to the ton in search of his own part 2, following the death of his wife. He appears charming and pursues many friendly, and flirty, conversations with Violet, which seemingly hint at more.

What’s not clear from Violet’s new suitor though is his relationship with his sister. When hearing that he would be returning she said he was an unwanted visitor and while speaking to Mrs Mondrich, she expressed that it is important to forget past lives and that “it’s a dangerous place to revisit” while gazing upon her brother. If he’s wronged her or isn’t the charming man he appears to be, we’re sure Lady Danbury will tell Violet if she learns of their growing relationship.

Cressida Cowper will marry Lord Debling

Before Lord Debling declared he’d like to propose to Penelope, he had also caught the eye of Cressida Cowper. Cressida is in desperate need of a husband before her mother and father pick one for her, so she’s set her sights on Lord Debling. Despite the rejection, Lord Debling will now find himself, after his pursuit of Penelope has fallen through, in search of his practical match once again.

It seems fair to predict that Cressida would still be willing to pick up the pieces that Pen has left behind and extend her interest back to Lord Debling. She’ll be able to leave her household, live a separate life, and pick a man that seems suitable enough and will leave her with a large estate to tend and freedom to do so while he travels.

We’ll see Eloise struggle with Polin’s relationship

After falling out over Eloise’s discovery of Penelope being Lady Whistledown, much of Part 1 has been spent with the two best friends not talking. In fact, Eloise has struck up a new friendship with Cressida Cowper. It’s clear though that firstly, Eloise finds the conversations with the other ladies dull and secondly, she still thinks of Pen, often asking after her, and even extending an olive branch when wishing her well with her pursuit of a husband.

Finding out that she is now with Colin will really shake things up. Eloise will want to tell Colin about Penelope’s true identity, and will no doubt urge Pen to tell him. It may be that Colin is angry at Penelope and Eloise comes to her defence, or she may lead the charge herself. It does really feel as if Eloise will want to befriend Pen again, so hopefully once the truth is out there, they can start over.

Mr Mondrich will fight for his bar

The Mondrich’s found themselves in a whole new part of society, in fact, just within high society itself as their son inherited the estate and status of Lord Kent. With their new life to enjoy, Will Mondrich struggles to leave his past one behind, desperately vying to keep his bar open and continue to work there.

After being told by many members of the ton that he should sell it and stop working, it appears his wife, Alice, will be the next person to persuade him to do so after the guidance from Lady Danbury. He’s incredibly stubborn though and despite the ton slowly turning their back on the bar, it still seems as though he’ll fight to the bitter end to keep it.

We’ll see Benedict Bridgerton’s new love falter

After meeting at the balloon demonstration, Benedict Bridgerton stumbled into Lady Tilley Arnold, a widower with a sharp tongue and dress sense to boot. They’re clearly impressed by one another, but much like previous relations, they fall quickly into steamy sessions hidden away from the rest of society.

The fact that they’ve kept their relationship a secret from others and that Lady Arnold is seemingly keeping him at arm’s lengths saying she isn’t looking for another husband, leads us to believe that the new love isn’t going to last. Or, perhaps, it’s time for Benedict to change. After spending much of Part 1 dodging and diving interested ladies in the marriage mart, maybe he’s found his match. 

Anthony and Kate return from their honeymoon

After a brief return to the ton following their honeymoon, Anthony and Kate decided to extend their time away before formally taking on their role as new Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton. There was also some very heavy discussion about producing an heir or two for the Bridgerton name and so they may well finish their travels and return to the ton to take on their position. There’s only so long they can holiday before they must come back to real life. 

Bridgerton season 3 part 2 will be available to stream on Netflix on June 13.

Penelope's glow-up was one of the most anticipated moments of Bridgerton season 3 and when it finally arrived on our screens viewers weren't disappointed! 

Now Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, has lifted the lid on the character's new look, from a 'magnetized' cloak to how Penelope's new clothes made her cry. 

As this year's third season begins, Penelope is still reeling after overhearing Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) telling people he could never court her.

Desperate to shed her reputation as a perennial wallflower and find a husband, she ditches her dowdy, citrus-toned dresses, making her entrance at the first ball of the season wearing a deep emerald green dress. 

"It was quite scary knowing there was a big new look moment, because you’re in a ballroom with 200 supporting artists, 30 cast members, all of the crew, and everyone’s looking!" said Nicola, when members of the press asked her about filming that scene. 

"The nerves and trepidation Penelope felt were very much fuelled by my own nerves and I was afraid I was going to fall down the stairs. But so much thought went into every costume, even the cloak that they made for me was magnetized, so when I opened it, it fell in a particular way. It was scary to shoot that moment though, and I also had to then run up the stairs at the end of the scene, so it was just going up and down those stairs for like three days!"

Nicola also explains that simply seeing the new shade of colors she'd be wearing for the third season was an emotional moment and how her character's new look helped her grow in confidence. 

"The transformation in Penelope has been amazing for me, it really does make you feel so completely different when you're performing," says Nicola.

"I always say to people it’s the difference between pajamas and a ballgown; you just hold yourself differently. You know that you look different, so you feel different. It was really emotional, going to the first costume fittings and seeing fabrics that they’d chosen for this season. 

"They draped some on me — it wasn’t even a dress at that point, and I teared up, because you feel this connection with the character. After two seasons, it was so nice to finally be wearing flattering things, and it really helped the character. She has to grow in confidence, and it helped me grow in confidence, too.

"We wanted both Colin and Pen to have transformations and the costumes were amazing. The team worked so hard on them and the wigs were epic. And then the story was just written so beautifully, it was a real joy to play."

Bridgerton season 3 part one is available on Netflix now.

Bridgerton season 3 is finally here, and although we might have to slow down our binging of the period drama thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two parts, the first four episodes are now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the budding romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... but of course, this is Bridgerton, so it's safe to assume it won't be all plain sailing! 

The fourth episode (the final installment in season 3 part one) opens with Penelope getting a visit from Lord Debling who has called on her to deliver a plant so that she can enjoy nature from the comfort of her favorite window - this comes after she confessed to not being particularly fond of the great outdoors like he is. 

While her sisters are bewildered Penelope is getting all this attention, their mother, Portia, is thrilled that one of her daughters might marry into some money at last. 

Meanwhile, Violet goes to find Colin in the study and asks him why he was asking about friendship turning into love the previous day, wondering if there is something that he wants to talk to her about. Using her motherly intuition, it is clear that Violet knows something is going on between Colin and Penelope, but he pretends he was asking on his sister Francesca's behalf and refuses to open up, leaving Violet frustrated. 

Across town, Benedict calls on Lady Tilley Arnold, but she soon makes it clear she doesn't wish to be called on by gentlemen and shows him what he really wants by taking him to her bedroom instead - it looks like Benedict might have met his match! 

Mrs Danbury has lunch with her brother, Lord Marcus Anderson, and it is clear that there is no love lost between the pair. She asks him why he is in London again, but he avoids the question, simply claiming he is lonely in his country estate and wants to meet women in the city. 

Over at the Bridgerton house, everyone is waiting for Lord Samadani to call on Francesca after the pair were introduced by the Queen. But instead of Lord Samadani walking into the Bridgerton drawing room, it is John Stirling, someone whom Francesca had briefly met at a ball the previous evening and enjoyed a moment of peace and quiet with. While Violet is baffled by his visit, Francesca seems to be very happy that he is there and the pair surprise her family by sitting together in companionable silence. 

Later everyone visits a collection opening and while Penelope is thrilled by all the books in the library, she is distracted when Lord Debling arrives and they chat happily. But their closeness doesn't go unnoticed by Colin, who is jealous to see them together again, and Cressida, who is now panicking about finding a husband after Penelope stole Lord Debling's affections because her father is threatening to marry her off to one of his own, shall we say more mature, friends. 

Penelope and Lord Debling talk about novels and the books that she enjoys and soon they start taking in riddles about stories with husbands who go off traveling for years while the wife stays at home. Penelope knows Lord Debling is talking about their potential future and while it's not very romantic when Lord Debling calls them a 'practical match' she is won over when he asks who the man in the book should ask for the woman's hand in marriage if she doesn't have a father figure in her life. Penelope knows, of course, that he is talking about her, and so suggests the character in the book should ask the woman's mother and that he would have to read the book to find out whether the woman would accept the proposal or not. 

The next day Francesca is walking with her mother when they bump into John Stirling and she is pleased to see him, until the conversation takes an awkward turn when they disagree over some music that is being played by a nearby musician. Soon John Stirling makes a hasty exit, leaving Francesca feeling cross and embarrassed. 

Colin is struggling with his feelings for Penelope and while his friends talk about all their conquests while on their travels, he retaliates by saying he is bored with life like that and is looking for something more, leaving his friends laughing at his sudden change of heart. 

But while Colin pines after Penelope, her love life is looking up greatly when the following morning Lord Debling comes to the Featherington house to ask her mother for Penelope's hand in marriage. While Portia is over the moon, Penelope is pleased but it is clear that something is holding her back from complete happiness, and we know that that something is Colin. 

That evening Queen Charlotte is holding another ball, but while Penelope gets ready, knowing this could be the evening Lord Debling proposes, Colin is struggling and tells his mother that he won't be coming to the ball. She knows that something is going on with him and tells him to follow his heart and that he should come to the ball to see the fruits of his labor because Penelope might be getting the proposal he has helped her secure that evening. Colin is stunned that it might happen that night and broods in the study about losing Penelope. 

At the ball, Lord Debling asks Penelope to dance and they are getting on like a house on fire while John Stirling tracks down Francesca and, while she isn't that keen to see him at first, he gives her some music and she is thrilled by the gift, giving Lord Samadani the cold shoulder and asking her mother if they can return home early from the ball. But while Francesca seems happy, the Queen isn't thrilled to see her love match going cold. 

While Penelope's sisters talk about how they both think they might be pregnant, Colin turns up at the ball, finally ready to declare his love. But it seems he might be too late because Lord Debling and Penelope are dancing. But while they look happy together, Penelope doesn't get the answer she is hoping for when she asks him if their potential marriage might become one filled with love and he replies that his work takes up so much of his heart that he isn't sure if there is room for much more. Hmm, romantic! 

Enter Colin, who interrupts their dance asking Penelope for a talk. Cressida, of course, steps in to dance with Lord Debling, while Colin and Penelope argue about her impending proposal. While they dance Cressida tells Lord Debling in a roundabout way that Penelope has always loved Colin. 

As Lord Debling tries to leave, Penelope catches up with him and he tells her that he knows she is in love with Colin and that's why she sits at her window for so many hours a day, watching his house across the road. He tells Penelope that Colin must have feelings for her, and she laughs at the idea, but he is adamant that their potential engagement is off when she struggles to deny that she would like her friendship with Colin to be more. Penelope is heartbroken when he leaves and she gets in a carriage to go home, but just at the last moment, Colin stops the carriage and gets in... hurrah! 

Thankfully, nearly losing Penelope to Lord Debling has given Colin the wake-up call that he needed and he tells her how he feels, that he hasn't been able to think about anything other than their kiss for weeks and that he wants them to be more than friends - at last! When Penelope admits that she too wants to be much more than friends, they finally share a proper kiss and it doesn't take long for things to get a bit, shall we say, heated, in the back of the carriage!

The pair are so caught up in the moment that they are jolted back to reality when they arrive at the Bridgerton house. Colin asks Penelope to come in with him, but she is afraid that his family is all there and worries about what they will think... however, the moment that Bridgerton fans have all been waiting for comes when Colin reaches out for Penelope's hand and says "For god's sake, Penelope Featherington, are you going to marry me, or not?!'. 

But will she say yes? And can the pair have their happy ending with Eloise and the Lady Whistledown secret hanging over them? We will have to wait for season 3 part 2 to find out! 

The first four episodes of Bridgeton season 3 are available to stream worldwide on Netflix now. The second half of the season will be released on Thursday, June 13. 

Bridgerton fans have been waiting for Penelope and Colin's first kiss for many years and it finally arrived in Bridgerton season 3! 

"It was quite a big moment," explained Nicola Coughlan, when we sat down to chat to her and co-star Luke Newton at a recent press event. "We'd already shot another scene, the ending scene of us together in episode one, that day. So there was a lot going on."

Yet while temperatures soared as the couple embraced on screen, things were also hot and sticky on set, as Luke explained when Nicola asked if he felt any nerves ahead of their opening smooch.

"It was one of the first things we shot in July 2022," explained Luke after a diplomatic silence. "It was a night shoot, but it was the hottest day of the year that's ever been recorded in the UK!" 

Based on the fourth book in Julia Quinn's series of novels, Romancing Mr Bridgerton, the third series begins with Penelope Featherington feeling rejected by her beloved Colin Bridgerton. 

The pair have been friends for many years, but at the end of Bridgerton season 2 she was heartbroken when she overheard him saying he would never consider courting her. 

That barb inspires Penelope to look elsewhere for a husband at the start of this year's third series, yet after making a fool of herself at the first ball of the season, it's her old friend Colin who comes to comfort her. 

"The scene is brilliantly written and Penelope asking him to kiss her is taken directly from the book," says Nicola Coughlan. "It was really difficult to play that because a lot of people don't understand why she would do that... but you have to understand in that moment, she thinks she's lost everything.

"She thinks she's embarrassed herself in front of society, no one's going to marry her, she's stuck with her mum and sisters forever and the man she loves doesn't love her! 

"So she's like, 'I've got nothing. I've got nothing to lose.' But it's a sad moment because they kiss, they obviously have this connection, but they pull away and she goes, 'I've just embarrassed myself. I'm gonna just leave.' And in that moment, Colin then goes: 'Oh, there's something there!'"

Bridgerton season 3 Part 1 is now available on Netflix.

Bridgerton season 3 is finally here, and although we might have to slow down our binging of the period drama thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two parts, the first four episodes are now available to stream worldwide. 

This season will follow the budding romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... but of course, this is Bridgerton, so it's safe to assume it won't be all plain sailing! 

The third episode opens with Colin paying Penelope a late-night visit to tell her that he can't think about anything other than their kiss and she says she feels the same. The pair share a passionate kiss... only for Colin to wake up in his bedroom alone - it was all a dream.

That morning at breakfast at the Bridgerton house Violet is asking once again what Queen Charlotte said about Francesca, while Colin's brothers mock him for having a lie in. He is all flustered, pretending he slept well, but despite trying to keep his composure he struggles when Penelope's name is mentioned and everyone is left bemused by his odd mood.

At the palace, Queen Charlotte is trying to find a suitable suitor for Francesca with Lady Danbury... Lord Debling is mentioned, but the queen says he is a nature bore. However, Lady Danbury's mind is elsewhere as she reveals she has had word of an unwelcome visitor. The Queen offers to banish them from the kingdom for her friend, but Lady Danbury tells her this person isn't worth the worry.

Over at the Featherington house there is more talk about Philippa and Prudence's race to be the first to have a baby... when Lady Portia is surprised to see Penelope at the breakfast table for the first time in a week. Everyone is shocked when Vardy tells them there is a visitor for Penelope, and when she goes downstairs it is Eloise.

Knowing that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, Eloise reveals her shock at how scathing the Whistledown paper was about Penelope's embarrassment. Penelope admits it would have been suspicious had she not written about the one thing everyone was gossiping about, and Eloise admits it was her fault the secret got out and she apologises. 

But, while there might be some thawing between the friends, Penelope is left upset once again when she invites Eloise in, and she turns down the invitation saying she is meeting other friends. 

As Penelope walks alone in the park, everyone around her is still gossiping about what happened, and when she bumps into Colin, all eyes are on the pair. 

They talk in private under a willow tree (presumably a soundproof tree?!) where they share an awkward encounter as the last time they met was when they shared their forbidden late-night kiss (the real one, not Colin's steamy dream kiss!). 

Colin is all of a fluster after his dream - with all of his new-found swagger gone as he tries to talk to Penelope and apologize for not getting in touch until now. She is embarrassed at asking him to kiss her, and she tells him they can't continue the lessons as she doesn't want to disgrace his family, but thanks him for his kindness. 

As she goes to leave, it is clear that neither of them is saying what they really mean and we are left feeling like this is a conversation that could have gone so differently had they both been honest. 

At yet another ball that evening, all the mothers of the season's debutants are talking about Lord Debling, claiming that while he might be a nature bore, he is this season's most eligible bachelor... even though (shock horror) he only eats vegetables.

As Penelope and her mother arrive at the event, Portia advises her daughter to keep a low profile so she doesn't bring any more shame on the family. There is an awkward moment when Colin and the rest of the Bridgertons arrive and he catches Penelope's eye. Eloise tells her brother that she spoke to Penelope, referring to the fact she went to apologize for outing their secret, but Colin thinks she is talking about their kiss, and struggles to mask his relief when it is clear Eloise doesn't know anything about it, leaving his sister baffled. 

Elsewhere, Lady Danbury and Violet are advising Francesca on who she should marry, telling her that it is likely the Queen will introduce her to some very promising suitors in the near future. 

But while every man in the room is fawning over diamond Francesca, Lord Debling finds Penelope in her hiding corner and they exchange pleasantries... however it doesn't take long for Penelope to realize that Lord Debling doesn't read Lady Whistledown and has no idea why everyone is talking about her. 

She enlightens him on what was written about her, and he is refreshingly unphased by it and soon they are chatting happily and easily... and it seems even the fact Lord Debling is a vegetarian hasn't put Penelope off. However, as they are chatting, Colin notices them from afar and... hang on, is that a flash of jealousy we see in his eyes?! 

As Eloise and Cressida walk the next morning, Cressida tells her new friend that she has found herself a new suitor - none other than Lord Debling. Eloise points out that she isn't exactly known for her love of animals and the great outdoors, and points out that perhaps she shouldn't tell him about her love of fur when they next meet. Could Penelope and Cressida soon become love rivals as well as friend rivals? 

At an event that will see a hot air balloon take flight, Penelope sees Colin and signals for him to meet her in the cake tent so they can talk. She tells him about her connection with Lord Debling and he pretends to be happy for her. As she talks Penelope gets some cake icing on her lip and Colin can't take his eyes off her, however, she mistakes his longing for a friendly gaze and asks if she has got all the icing off, which he replies that she has. She asks him to wish her luck with Lord Debling and it is clear that he hates the idea of her being with another man. 

Later that day, Cressida is talking about the book that Eloise lent her to brush up on her nature knowledge and soon they bump into Lord Debling and they chat about birds that are in danger of  becoming extinct. However, as they chat he calls over Penelope, much to Cressida's horror and Eloise's awkwardness and they all have a tricky conversation where Cressida and Penelope try to out-charm one another and Eloise looks like she wants to escape in the hot air balloon just to get out of the conversation. 

But before Eloise can pass out from boredom, the wind picks up at the event and the hot air balloon looks like it is about to take off with no one inside. Thankfully Colin has his wits about him and grabs a rope, calling for his friends to do the same, and they tug it back to the ground just moments before it would have hit Penelope. 

But, while the other women at the event swoon over Colin and his heroics, Lord Debling has thrown himself in between the balloon and Penelope, saving her from what could have been a nasty accident. While everyone is pleased no one is hurt, Colin can't help but notice that Lord Debling and Penelope are looking very close. 

And Colin isn't the only one who noticed... Cressida is fuming that Lord Debling saved Penelope and fakes an ankle injury to get his attention, smirking at Penelope as they walk past to find her a seat. 

That evening at a ball, Francesca chats with a suitor that Queen Charlotte has set her up with, and everything seems to be going well, much to Violet's delight, until he tells her that he wants to have eight children and soon Francesca is making her excuses to leave - and we don't blame her! 

But while Francesca's hunt for a husband might be ongoing, Cressida is prepared to play dirty in a bid to win Lord Debling's affections from Penelope and she makes a beeline for him in the ballroom. 

Elsewhere Benedict might have finally found someone who he is a good match with after spending most of the season so far avoiding the woman he asked to dance under pressure in episode one. Lady Tilley Arnold, someone he met by accident at the balloon event, has caught his eye and soon they share a dance. 

Meanwhile, Penelope is waiting patiently for her chance to speak to Lord Debling but he is somewhat engaged chatting with Cressida. However, when he goes to get drinks she jumps in after overhearing Colin talking to a group of swooning women about everyone having courage inside them as they ask about his balloon stunt.

Taking Colin's words to heart, Penelope seizes the moment and approaches Lord Debling, confessing that the woman battling for his attention earlier wasn't who she really is, and that she in reality isn't actually someone who loves nature very much,. Once again, Lord Debling enjoys Penelope's honestly and fresh approach and soon they start chatting happily.

Across the room, Colin has noticed the pair talking and is jealous, so asks his mother about her relationship with his father and how they went from being friends to lovers. She tells him it was thanks to his father taking the plunge and confessing his true feelings that they made the move from friends to something more, giving Colin food for thought.

Knowing it is now or never, Colin goes to find Penelope and struggles to find the words he needs to say to confess how he really feels about her. However, just as he is about to tell her everything, Lord Debling comes back and asks Penelope for a dance, leaving Colin no choice but to let an unsuspecting Penelope walk away.

Will he ever tell her how he feels?

The first four episodes of Bridgeton season 3 are available to stream worldwide on Netflix now. The second half of the season will be released on Thursday, June 13. 

Bridgerton season 3 is finally here, and although we might have to slow down our binging of the period drama thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two parts, the first four episodes are now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the budding romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... but of course, this is Bridgerton, so it's safe to assume it won't be all plain sailing! 

The second episode of the series opens with Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury admiring the diamonds and gifts that eager mothers of debutants have sent to the palace to 'persuade' the queen that their daughter should be the next diamond of the season. However, Queen Charlotte admits that while Lady Whistledown's gameplaying has intrigued her as she challenges her to name her new diamond of the season, she won't be rushed into any decisions. 

Meanwhile, Penelope gets ready in another beautiful new dress, while the Barron of Kent and his family get a tour around their new estate, which they are stunned to learn has 27 rooms and that Will and Alice will be expected to have separate bedrooms now. 

Over at the Featherington house, Lady Portia is despairing of her two married daughters who seem to be failing at their one task of producing an heir so that they can secure the family's ill-gotten fortune. Penelope wants nothing more than to escape her sisters and so heads out for the morning, where she bumps into Colin, much to Eloise's horror, and they start their lessons he promised. 

Colin introduces Penelope to some gentlemen who he thinks she should trial her flirting skills on, asking her to wave her fan and flutter her lashes, but her nerves soon get the better of her and she gets all in a fluster, much to Colin's amusement. 

As Lady Danbury visits the Bridgertons to let Violet and Francesca know that Queen Charlotte isn't yet done with the season and is yet to choose her diamond, Portia Featherington is digging for information about Philippa and Prudence's marriages, trying to work out if either of them will be in the family way any time soon. 

Colin and Penelope meet for another lesson, and she tells him that she wouldn't blame him if he wanted to call off their deal and declare her a lost cause, but he is sure that she has potential and gives her advice. But when he asks again what happened between her and Eloise, Penelope avoids the question and dashes home, claiming she needs to leave before they are noticed together. 

While Alice Mondrich has the gowns she inherited from Lady Kent altered at the modiste, Eloise and Francesca arrive at the shop and Eloise reveals she is pleased that her sister is now also a debutant as this means she can put off getting a husband for another year or two. Francesca reveals she is looking forward to getting married and soon Eloise is spreading the word that the Queen is still looking for her diamond of the season in a bid to take the shine off of her and her sister.

Over at the Bridgerton house, Colin has secretly invited Penelope over as the family drawing room was where she said she felt the most comfortable before she and Eloise fell out. She panics that someone from the family will see her, but Colin is adamant that everyone is out or in the garden, and they have the place to themselves for their lessons. As he encourages her to imagine they are at a ball and to flirt with him, she puts her embarrassment aside and talks to him about his eyes being kind... leading to them sharing a charged moment, which is then broken when Eloise returns home unexpectedly and causing Penelope to have to hide in the study.

While hiding in the study, Penelope sees Colin's diary on the desk, which she reads, although she knows she shouldn't, and of course, Colin walks in and catches her reading his innermost thoughts about his travels to Paris. 

As she apologizes he tries to get the diary from her but knocks over a candle and cuts his hand. She tends to his bleeding hand and the pair share another moment, before Penelope rushes out of the room - but not before she compliments him on his writing.

As she runs out of the house, Eloise sees her escaping and later, on their way to another ball, Eloise confronts Colin about Penelope coming over and questions why she and Colin are spending so much time together. 

Colin confesses that he's helping Penelope find a husband and Eloise is shocked, warning her brother that it might not look right to the rest of the world but he is adamant that they are doing no harm and that it's a secret. 

At the ball, Benedict tries to immerse himself in society by asking someone to dance, while Penelope and Colin make up after their earlier disagreement over the diary. Colin challenges Penelope to talk to someone at the lemonade table, putting their lessons into practice, but it turns out that the man's horse has just died and isn't in the mood for flirting, making Penelope and Colin laugh. 

Also at the ball, Eloise chats with Cressida and lets slip that Colin is helping Penelope find a husband, Cressida is surprised but keeps the news to herself. Meanwhile, Lady Portia is once again trying to get details from her daughters, who, it soon transpires, haven't quite been given the facts when it comes to the birds and the bees and what they have been doing with their husbands would definitely not result in the family getting an heir and securing their fortune! 

Lady Violet tries to set up Francesca with a man who has a passion for music like her, but she isn't impressed with his flirting and soon Lady Danbury comes up with an idea that might help. Setting Francesca up in a room near the ball where she can play the piano, she guides the Queen to hear her playing and she is impressed, telling the young Bridgerton how lovely it is to see someone enjoying playing for themselves and not to impress her. 

Could Francesca be the new season's diamond after all?

Later, Penelope chats with Lord Remmington and they bond over their shared love for gossip, especially when he admits that he enjoys Lady Whistledown's papers. But as he leaves and Colin comes over, everyone at the ball starts gossiping and it seems the news that Colin is helping Penelope has got out and now everyone is talking about them. 

Penelope rushes out of the ball, with Colin following. But, after he stops to confront Eloise about telling Cressida their secret, she gets away and goes home in tears to write her next Whistledown paper. 

As we see Lady Danbury get a letter alerting her to the fact she is about to get a visitor, the new Lady Whistledown paper is out and it is all about Penelope and her embarrassment at the ball... little do people know the infamous Lady Whistledown is actually writing about herself. 

As Penelope sits alone at home, knowing the world is talking about her, Eloise confronts Cressida about spreading the gossip about Penelope and she tells her that she kept her secret safe and that someone must have overheard Eloise at the ball. 

Portia finds Penelope and is cross about the fact she has brought more shame on the family, telling her that she shouldn't have been unrealistic about her marriage options and that life as a single woman isn't as bad as it sounds. But as Penelope wallows in sadness, she gets a late-night visitor - and it is Colin. Hurrah! 

As Penelope goes to the garden to see Colin, he reveals he has paid her housemaid to leave them alone so they can talk. Colin wants to check that Penelope is okay, and after he is so kind, she asks him to kiss her, telling him that she has never been kissed and is scared that she will now die having never kissed anyone. 

He is surprised by her request and despite her saying that it wouldn't have to mean anything, it is clear their kiss means more to Colin than he thought it would. As Penelope dashes off back into the house, he is left speechless... something tells us things have just got complicated for the most eligible bachelor of the season!

The first four episodes of Bridgeton season 3 are available to stream worldwide on Netflix now. The second half of the season will be released on Thursday, June 13. 

Bridgerton season 3 is finally here, and although we might have to slow down our binging of the period drama thanks to Netflix releasing the season in two parts, the first four episodes are now available to stream worldwide. 

This season follows the budding romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton as their friendship turns to romance... but of course, this is Bridgerton, so it's safe to assume it won't be all plain sailing! 

The first episode of the new season opens with the Featherington family returning to London in all their colorful glory, while everyone else in the city is reading Lady Whistledown's latest paper, naming all the debutants for this year's marriage market. 

Meanwhile, the Bridgerton house is a hive of activity as the family all excitedly prepare for Francesca Bridgerton to make her season debut, but while her brothers and sisters might be nervous on her behalf, Francesca seems calm and collected as she prepares to face the Ton, and is more interested in playing the piano than getting ready. However, it's only when Benedict points out Francesca was playing Mozart's Funeral March that mum Violet realizes she might have a long day ahead of her...

Fans of Bridgerton season 2 will be thrilled to see Kate and Anthony Bridgerton are back, fresh from their honeymoon and ready to start married life together. But before we can focus too much on them, Colin makes his long-awaited return from a tour around Europe and everyone is stunned by his change in personality. 

Not only has he grown in confidence, but he's also well-dressed and dapper, something that doesn't go unnoticed by his brothers who tease him. Colin's new confidence also doesn't go unnoticed by the women in London, who are all left swooning at the twinkle in his eye... something that Penelope notices and finds tough to swallow as she watches the family from afar. 

However, it isn't just Colin that Penelope is missing, she is also still estranged from her best friend Eloise after she discovered Penelope's Lady Whistledown secret, and now Eloise seems to have replaced Pen with Cressida Cowper, whom Pen and Eloise couldn't stand in seasons 1 and 2.

As all the season's debutants are paraded before Queen Charlotte, who is struggling to hide her boredom over the whole event, it is Francesca who catches the Queen's eye as she is brought into the room by Violet. However, while his sister is entering society, Colin is spending his time flirting with all the women in the room, winking at anyone who will look at him. 

Meanwhile, Penelope is at home with her sisters, Philippa and Prudence, who are both now married to poor, unsuspecting husbands, and are arguing over whose wedding was the more beautiful. 

Portia Featherington tells her girls that they shouldn't argue over their late Aunt Petunia's money and that they can now re-enter society with their finances intact after their financial shame in season 2. But canny Mrs Varley, the loyal Featherington housemaid, knows the Aunt Petunia cover story isn't going to stay secret for long and soon everyone will know that the money is ill-gotten gains of disgraced Cousin Jack and his gem swindling in season 2. 

As everyone arrives for a party held for the Queen, there is panic in the air that the monarch hasn't picked a diamond for the season yet. But while Queen Charlotte is a no-show at her own party, Colin wastes no time chatting up his new admirers... in fact he has so many these days he must have gone home exhausted. 

But, while the party is an ego-boosting success for Colin, the same can't be said for poor Pen, who not only is left red-faced by a cruel comment from Cressida and feeling abandoned by Eloise but is also left stung after a run-in with the man of the moment - Colin. He comments on how much has changed while he has been away, but Penelope isn't in the mood for chit-chat after his cruel comments at the end of season 2 where she overheard him telling his friends that he would never marry a woman like her. 

Portia reveals there is a document left by the last Lord Featherington bequeathing the family estate to the first-born son of whichever of her daughters has an heir first, leaving Philippa and Prudence thrilled. However, we know that not all is as it seems and Portia is actually referring to the document from season 2 that saw Varley forge a signature on a form... now why do we have a feeling this is going to come back to bite the family in the not too distant future?! 

However, while the sisters go off to make an heir with their respective husbands (sorry for putting that image in your mind!), Penelope is given a horrible wake-up call when her mother comments how she is glad that Pen will always be there to look after her. Determined not to be a mother-caring spinster forever, Penelope makes a hasty trip to modiste Genevieve Delacroix the next morning where she tells her she never wants to see a citrus color again and orders a whole new wardrobe in more demure, classy tones. 

However, while she is in the shop, Penelope runs into Eloise and while she tries to apologize for what happened between them, Eloise doesn't want to hear her excuses and cuts her off, stating she will keep her Lady Whistledown secret, but that they are no longer friends, leaving Penelope heartbroken. 

Over at his gentleman's club, Will Mondrich and his wife Alice are visited by Mr Dundas who has come to tell them that Alice's great aunt, Lady Kent, has died and left everything to their son, Nicholas, making him the next Barron of Kent. 

Meanwhile, Anthony and Kate are making the most of having some alone time together in the busy Bridgerton household, but they're soon distracted by the fact it is Lady Danbury's ball that evening and they need to get ready. And they aren't the only ones getting ready for the evening, because Penelope's makeover is underway and not only does she have her new dress, but she is also wearing her hair differently and is ready to make a grand entrance. 

Just as Cressida comments that this season has got off to a dull start, all eyes are on Penelope as she walks into the ball and takes off her cloak to reveal a beautiful dark green dress. The women are jealous and the men can't take their eyes off her, including a certain young Bridgerton named Colin. 

The ball is a success and Penelope has some (albeit awkward!) conversations with potential husbands who are all trying to get to know her better... but as she struggles with being the center of attention, Eloise is across the room making small talk with the other young women at the ball who all seem to be taking a surprisingly vested interest in a conversation about embroidery. As Penelope squirms and Eloise looks like she is about to pass out with boredom, we are left wishing, not for the first time already this season, that these two friends will just make up already! 

Cressida is quite the green-eyed monster over Penelope's gorgeous green dress, especially when she catches the eye of Queen Charlotte and a handsome Lord Debling, who Penelope has a relaxed and friendly chat with until Cressida ruins it by treading on her new dress and ripping it on purpose. 

As Eloise struggles to apologize on her new friend's behalf, Pen rushes out of the ball, only to catch Colin's eye and he chases after her to make sure she is okay. But by now, Penelope is full of emotion, and when Colin tells her that he misses her, she confronts him by repeating the words he said at the Featherington Ball about how he would never court a woman like her. He asks her to go somewhere private to chat, but she isn't interested and races off, telling him that she never thought that he could be so cruel. 

Fired up with emotion, Pen gets home and writes her next Lady Whistledown paper all about Colin - but it seems this could be one she lives to regret now that Eloise knows who she is. 

The following morning Portia gets a visit from Mr Dundas, who is checking the lines of succession for the crown and wants to check the document that Varley secretly forged. Portia maintains it is all above board, but it's clear he doesn't believe a word she is saying and tells her that he will be making a return visit soon. 

As Eloise berates Cressida for her cruel treatment of Penelope, Pen has a visitor at home as Colin turns up unannounced to apologize for his comments the previous year. At first, Penelope isn't keen on listening to what he has to say, but as Colin tells her how proud he is to have her as a friend she soon softens. 

As Penelope tells Colin how jealous she is of his ease returning to society for the new season, he tells her that if it is a husband she wants, he will help teach her confidence and charm... promising to give her lessons. 

The pair part on good terms, shaking hands and confirming their friendship is well and truly back on track. 

However, it looks like their reunion could be short-lived because Lady Whistledown's new paper is out, and as everyone laps up the scathing recap of the first few days of the new season, Penelope couldn't regret her belittling report of Colin more. 

As Eloise reads the paper, she tries to hide it from her brother, but he soon reads it and tells her that he doesn't care what the author says about him, but he will never forgive her for almost ruining Eloise the season before, oblivious to the fact he is talking about the woman he counts as his closest friend.

How long before he works out who Lady Whistledown really is? 

The first four episodes of Bridgeton season 3 are available to stream worldwide on Netflix now. The second half of the season will be released on Thursday, June 13. 

Bridgerton season 2 followed the fiery and tumultuous love story between Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley).

Their path to love wasn't a walk in the palace garden, with constant sparring matches, avoiding each other and lying about their feelings as he courted her younger sister Edwina (Charithra Chandran).

Despite the constant scowls and frustrations, their hatred soon grew into something more and they finally admitted their burning passion for each other.

Their enemies-to-lovers story was definitely a slow-burn journey worth waiting for, but although they end Bridgerton season 2 as a couple madly in love, a lot of drama unfolded for them to get to this point.

Anthony and Kate's forbidden romance wasn't the only scurrilous court gossip that caught everyone's attention in the second season.

Here's everything that happened at the end of Bridgerton season 2, as we return to the world of sweeping ballgowns for Bridgerton season 3...

Enemies to lovers

After eight episodes of their will-they-won't-they romance, Anthony and Kate finally end up together. But in the final episode, their blossoming relationship nearly came to a disappointing end.

Anthony rescued Kate after she had an accident while horseback riding in the rain and was in a coma. While she was unconscious, Anthony was forced to confront his fear that stopped him from falling in love — he was afraid of losing people after the tragic death of his father.

The eldest Bridgerton sibling had a heartfelt conversation with his widowed mother Violet (Ruth Gemmell) who encouraged him that: “Real true love is worth it.”

When Kate woke up, Anthony proposed at her bedside, but she turned him down and insisted on going back to India. Kate's mother Lady Mary (Shelley Conn) also talked sense into her daughter and convinced her that she deserved all the love in the world.

Anthony and Kate reunited at the Featherington Ball, who were both now social outcasts after their romance was exposed at his wedding to Edwina. They were at the centre of the juicy gossip amongst society, but it didn't stop them from dancing with each other and ignoring the stares.

Anthony shared a romantic and heartfelt speech after the dance, but even though Kate said yes, she was still adamant that she was going to India. Anthony declared his love for Kate and she responded that she loved him too.

He then proposed to her as he gushed: “I know I am imperfect, but I will humble myself before you because I cannot imagine my life without you, and that is why I wish to marry you."

Kate joked: “You do know there will never be a day where you do not vex me," to which he replied: “Is that a promise, Kathani Sharma?”

In the final scene, Anthony and Kate played a game of Pall-Mall with the Bridgerton family at Aubrey Hall. Their competitive spirit still burned brightly, but they threw in a perfect amount of kissing and romancing at the same time.

Romance for Edwina Sharma

Poor Edwina was unwillingly caught in the love triangle between her husband-to-be Anthony and sister Kate that was happening right under her nose. 

Although Edwina's wedding to Anthony ended in disaster, there was a glimmer of hope for the season's diamond when Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) mentioned that her nephew, Prince Friedrich of Prussia was available.

The prince originally tried to court Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) in Bridgerton season one, before she fell into the arms of the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page).

Edwina bonded with Queen Charlotte after the wedding when she showed kindness towards the queen's ill husband King George.

After the fallout of the wedding, Edwina was angry at Kate's betrayal and they had a fraught relationship. The sisters eventually reconciled after Kate's accident and Edwina approved of Kate and Anthony's relationship.

Heartbreak for Penelope Featherington

Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has been secretly pining for her long-time crush Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), who is still oblivious of her admiration towards him.

However, all her dreams of a romantic union with Colin were shattered in the final episode when she overheard him callously telling his friends that he would never court her. 

And there was more heartbreak on the horizon for Penelope when she found herself  falling out with another Bridgerton family member...

Lady Whistledown's secret identity was revealed

Penelope had not only lost her love interest, but her best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) too. 

Penelope had been leading a double life as the anonymous writer Lady Whistledown, whose social pamphlet was the main source for all the gossip in the ton. 

Both Eloise and Queen Charlotte became obsessed with discovering who Lady Whistledown was and Eloise went on a mission to unmask the gossip writer's identity. 

She discovered that Lady Whistledown was using the print shop where her love interest Theo Sharpe worked, but Eloise got caught up in the scandal when Queen Charlotte accused her of being Lady Whistledown as she had been seen sneaking around the print shop.

To take the suspicion off Eloise, Penelope wrote scathing gossip about Eloise consorting with “political radicals” in Bloomsbury and destroyed the Bridgerton family's reputation.

At the Featherington ball, Eloise realized that Penelope was Lady Whistledown when she made an observant comment that only Whistledown would make. The pair had a huge fight as Eloise reeled at her best friend's betrayal and for destroying her relationship with Theo. 

Their friendship was destroyed by the final episode, as Eloise told Penelope: "I wish never to see or speak to you again.”

More Featherington drama

The Featheringtons were dealing with more drama of their own when it came to conman Jack Featherington (Rupert Young).

The new Lord Featherington claimed to own gem and gold mines in the Americas, but his wealth turned out to be a lie when the gems were revealed to be fake and worthless.

Jack was actually penniless and started scheming with Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) to swindle the people of the Ton in investing in his empty mines.

Colin exposed Jack as a fraud and Lady Featherington kicked him out of the house, but not before forging his signature so that Prudence's (Bessie Carter) son would inherit the estate.

Bridgerton seasons 1-2 are available to watch on Netflix. Bridgerton season 3 part 1 releases on Thursday, May 16 on Netflix. Part 2 will be released on Thursday, June 13. 

Bridgerton season 3 is ready to shine the spotlight on the next Bridgerton sibling: Colin (Luke Newton) when the series returns to Netflix.

 Bridgerton's first season recounted Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and the Duke of Hastings' (Regé-Jean Page) relationship and was followed up by Bridgerton season 2, which revolved around the blossoming romance between the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) in 2022. 

The third season chiefly revolves around Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin. From the sounds of things, Newton thinks the friends-to-lovers story between the pair will be a relatable experience for many viewers.

In an interview with InStyle, Newton discussed the emotional foundation between Colin and Penelope. "It's kind of nice to portray that couple that's the slow burn", he said. "I feel like a lot of people will relate to the childhood crush."

He went on to say that he thinks this latest love story could be viewed as more 'meaningful' than what's come before, and that the inevitable intimacy springs out of our two leads' prior connection. "I think for [Colin], particularly as [he and Penelope] get closer, it's more meaningful. It's less of a physical thing. It's more just stripping back the ego and being completely open, honest, gentle, and not having to feel like he has to be the man around town sort of thing."

This interview comes shortly after Nicola Coughlan shared her reaction to Bridgerton season 3. Appearing on BBC's The One Show in early April, Coughlan revealed that she'd watched some footage from the next installment and it left her 'bouncing off the walls with excitement'. 

And when host Jermaine Jenas joked about how the romance will go down at home, Coughlan also admitted on the show that she'd asked for a more family-friendly version of Bridgerton for her nearest and dearest to watch! "I asked for a PG version for my family because I'm not doing that", she said. "Having seen what I watched last night, I'm really not doing that. Watch it with your mum if you want; I won't be watching it with mine — I'll get her her own Netflix account!"

Bridgerton season 3 will arrive in two parts on May 16 and June 13, exclusively on Netflix. 

Looking for another show to keep you occupied while you wait for our return to the ton? Check out our guide to the best Netflix shows to find your next Netflix binge.

A Bridgerton lead could be swapping high society for the Jurassic World universe, if new reports are anything to go by.

According to Deadline, Bridgerton season 2 lead Jonathan Bailey is in “early talks” to star alongside Scarlett Johansson in the next Jurrasic World movie. The site has also suggested it will be a "fresh take" on the franchise, with new names leading the project.

This suggests that former stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, alongside original Jurassic Park trio Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill won't be returning for the next prehistoric adventure, with all of them having previously starred in Jurassic World: Dominion.

Gareth Edwards, known for his work on the 2014 iteration of Godzilla and Star Wars movie Rogue One, is said to be directing the project, but plot details and further casting announcements are currently under wraps. He was not involved with the recent Godzilla x Kong: A New Empire movie, with Adam Wingard directing.

It has been suggested that the next Jurassic World movie will be released in summer 2025, after "impressing producers Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall", but we will have to be patient and wait for official confirmation from the filmmakers to learn more about what to expect. 

While nothing has been set in stone yet, Jonathan Bailey has strong connections to Jurassic World production company Universal, as he is starring in the upcoming movie adaptation of Wicked, where he'll play the role of Fiyero.

He is, of course, best known for his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), who had a prominent role in Bridgerton season 2 where he sets out to find a suitable wife. Throughout the course of the series, he finds himself falling in love with Kate (Simone Ashley), and their unlikely love story shaped the narrative for the second season.

Meanwhile, in our Jurassic World: Dominion review, we called it "a fitting, nostalgia-filled conclusion", so it will be interesting to see where the filmmakers decide to go now that the three main films have run their course.

If reports are anything to go by, we should expect a brand new story and with it, a new cast. Watch this space!

Bridgerton season 3 thrusts Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) into the spotlight, and the star has just teased what to expect from the new series of the hit Netflix period drama. 

Appearing on BBC's The One Show on Wednesday, Nicola revealed that she'd just recently watched some of the new season, and it left her "bouncing off the walls with excitement".

After briefly discussing her new Channel 4 drama, Big Mood, host Lauren Laverne asked whether things would be taking a more positive turn for Penelope this time around. In response, Coughlan was full of praise for the new installment and hinted that things could be set to change for her character in a big way. 

"She's always having a terrible time", Coughlan joked, before adding: "It's a very action-packed season, I got to some last night. We'd just flown back from Amsterdam, doing some press for it there — it's great doing press for two shows, you're not tired at all! — I got to see some last night and I was bouncing off the walls with excitement. 

"It's brilliant, I think it's written brilliantly, I'm so proud of the cast and crew", Coughlan went on, adding: "It's a special one, I'm biased, obviously, but I love it".

If you're not aware, Bridgerton's third season brings Penelope Featherington and her longtime crush, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) into the spotlight, where we know things are about to heat up between them. And when pressed about the romance, Nicola hinted that things might be a little bit steamier than season 2.

Jermaine Jenas joked about how the romance is going to go down at home and if her mum would be happy watching it. In response, Nicola said: "I asked for a PG version for my family, because I'm not doing that. Having seen what I watched last night, I'm really not doing that. Watch it with your mum if you want; I won't be watching it with mine — I'll get her her own Netflix account!"

Bridgerton season 3 is coming to Netflix in two parts on Thursday, May 16th, and Thursday, June 13; you can get caught up on past series on Netflix right now. 

Netflix have released an intriguing Bridgerton season 3 clip, which has made us more excited than ever for the hit show to return to our screens in May. 

The new teaser arrived on 14 February, a day of love and romance, but there was precious little of either to be seen in Penelope Featherington's exchange with Colin Bridgerton. 

The pair have been close in previous seasons and will be the two leading stars of this year's third chapter, which is based upon the fourth book in Julia Quinn's series of Bridgerton novels, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. 

Fans of the show will be willing the pair to finally find happiness together, yet things get off to a rocky start following events at the end of 2022's second season. 

In the closing scenes, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) was devastated to overhear Colin (Luke Newton) telling people how he would never court her and she wastes no time reminding him of his remarks in this clip from the third series. 

The clip has caused plenty of internet chatter, especially after fans noticed that Penelope didn't call Colin by his first name, as she has done in the past, but addressed him as 'Mr Bridgerton'. 

Yet it seems this line was not in Jess Brownell's original script and was only included when cast members urged her to add it after picking up on comments from fans of the series. 

At a recent press event, Nicola told journalists...

"Jess did put that in the scene after we asked her. I saw so many of the fans saying 'Penelope always calls him Colin, Colin, Colin... she's never called him Mr. Bridgerton'. They really wanted that, so we brought that to Jess and she put it in the scene!" 

Great work Bridgerton fans! 

Bridgerton season 3 is here and we are once again caught up in a world of sweeping ballgowns and scurrilous court gossip! And to make things even more exciting, we now all episodes of the season on Netflix after a month-long wait since part 1 dropped in May. 

All eight episodes of the new season, which focuses on the romance between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) - or 'Polin' as fans have dubbed them - are now available on Netflix.

The couple's relationship has been building for a couple of seasons now, with a host of images and a juicy clips (see below) from the new series suggesting it will finally begin to flourish this time out. But if it's safe to assume it won't be all plain sailing! 

Penelope overheard Colin saying he would never court her at the end of the last season, leading to a tense moment at the start of this year's third series!

Bridgerton season 2 was a big hit on Netflix when it launched in 2022 and audiences were taken on an emotional rollercoaster as the love triangle between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and the Sharma sisters, Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina, played out. 

We also saw Penelope Featherington struggling to keep her secret identity as Lady Whistledown under wraps, with her best friend Eloise Bridgerton finally learning the truth about her literary alter-ego. 

Amazingly, Bridgerton season 2 actually proved even more popular than the first and the third season will be hoping to even top that!

But who'll be the talk of the ton in season three and which new cast members will be joining the show? Here's everything we know so far...

Bridgerton season 3 release date

Netflix released Bridgerton season 3 in two parts, each made up of four episodes - all eight episodes are now available to stream worldwide.  

Part 1 launched on Thursday, May 16, 2024, while part 2 launched on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

The release date was announced alongside a stylish video – featuring a voiceover by Lady Whistledown herself – that captures and highlights the passionate anticipation from fans for any information on the new season. 

The video weaves together fan tweets, comments from various social media platforms, and TikTok videos, revealing the series’ return dates. Check it out below! 

Bridgerton season 3 trailer

A new trailer for season 3 part 2 dropped on Monday, June 3... just 10 days before the second instalment of the third series lands on Netflix. It was well worth the wait, though, as we see news of Colin and Penelope's engagement spread around the ton, while a big twist is heading for the pair... 

The full trailer landed for part on earlier this year. Check it out below... 

A clip from part one was also shared and you can watch it below... 

Bridgerton season 3 plot

For the first two seasons, showrunner Chris Van Dusen stuck to the order in which author Julia Quinn published the Bridgerton novels. This led us to believe that the third season would be based on the third book, An Offer From a Gentleman, which focuses on Benedict's love story. 

Yet in May 2022, we learned the third season would deviate from the regular book order when Nicola Coughlan — who plays Penelope Featherington — revealed on Instagram that Bridgerton season 3 would be focusing on Penelope and Colin Bridgerton's love story instead.

This wasn't a huge surprise as the Penelope and Colin story was building throughout series two, yet Penelope was left heartbroken when she overheard Colin saying he didn't see romance on the horizon for the pair at the end of that season. 

A new clip (seen at the top of this article) shows Penelope confronting him over those remarks and when he tries to win her affections in this year's series, he soon finds he has a rival in Lord Debling (played by Sam Phillips). 

Here's an official synopsis of Bridgerton season 3, which is based on the fourth book in Julia Quinn's series Romancing Mister Bridgerton...

"From Shondaland and new showrunner, Jess Brownell, Bridgerton is back for its third season and finds Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after hearing his disparaging words about her last season. 

"She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters. But lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly. 

"Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder. Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. 

"But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly. Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret."

But Benedict fans need not worry, as Chris Van Dusen has confirmed we'll be hearing more about him in future seasons... 

"I love Benedict's story," he told ET. "I love his story and all these siblings, all these characters for different reasons. They all offer something new. I think it was really the appeal to me in a project like this, the fact that we could tell these close-ended love stories and shift focus season after season," he explained. "This season, obviously we are with Anthony Bridgerton. It will go on and on and be equally as pleasurable as the one before."

Bridgerton season 3 cast

Most of our favourites from previous seasons are back, including...

• Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury
• Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley, the Featheringtons' housekeeper
• Jonathan Bailey as Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton
• Harriet Cains as Philippa Finch (née Featherington)
• Bessie Carter as Prudence Featherington. 
• Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington
• Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Basset (née Bridgerton)
• Ruth Gemmell as Violet, Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton
• Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton
• Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
• Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton
• Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Queen of the United Kingdom
• Hannah Dodd (season 3) as Francesca Bridgerton
• Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton
• Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton
• Polly Walker as Portia, Dowager Baroness Featherington
• Simone Ashley as Kathani "Kate", Viscountess Bridgerton (née Sharma)

Martins Imhangbe is also part of the cast as Will Mondrich alongside Emma Naomi, who plays Alice Mondrich (see below).

Rege-Jean Page was the star of the first season, yet didn't appear in the second so Bridgerton fans were terrified Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley, who played Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma, could suffer the same fate!

Luckily this won't be the case and it has since been confirmed by Simone that the pair would in fact be back for the next season. She shared the news exclusively with Deadline, stating: "We're going to be back! Kate and Anthony are just getting started. We have the amazing Jess Brownell who is taking the lead as showrunner in season 3. In season 2, there was a lot of push and pull between Kate and Anthony, there were complications with the family, and then they find each other towards the end.

"I'd like to see Kate just let go a bit more and play more in season 3 and kind of swim in that circle of love together. I think they both deserve it," she added.

However, it looks like we've seen the last of Kate's sister Edwina, according to Charithra Chandran, who played her in season 2.

Charithra told us: "For Edwina, I'd say she's not a Bridgerton. And at the end of the day, the show is about the Bridgerton family. Edwina exists in the Bridger-verse, as we like to say, but I've been so happy to be, to have such a great part this season. And I'm just grateful for that."

She also confirmed the news to The Indian Express as she said: “No, I’m not on set for season 3. I’m doing another film. It hasn’t been announced yet. It’s really exciting!”

We're also going to be seeing a new Bridgerton sibling next time, as one of the Bridgerton siblings has been recast for season 3. Hannah Dodd (Anatomy of a Scandal) has been signed up to replace Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton for the next series, as Ruby is joining Lockwood & Co opposite Morven Christie (The Bay).

Aside from Edwina and a new version of Francesca, though, it looks like our other favorites from the main cast are set to return. 

However, Phoebe Dynevor revealed that she wasn't sure if she would be appearing as her beloved character Daphne Bridgerton in the third series as she told Variety: "I’ve done what I wanted to do with that character and she had a great arc. If they ask me back in the future, who knows?"

• Bridgerton star Ruby Stokes opens up on 'difficult' decision to leave the show

Bridgerton season 3 new cast members

There will be a few new faces appearing on the ton in Bridgerton season 3 and in July, Netflix confirmed who will be playing these new characters... 

Daniel Francis plays Marcus Anderson, a charismatic presence who lights up any room he enters, attracting the notice of certain matriarchs in the ton — and the ire of others.

Daniel has starred alongside James Nesbitt and Richard Armitage in Netflix thriller Stay Close, Amazon Prime fantasy epic The Wheel of Time and the hit BBC black history anthology series Small Axe.

Another new face is Sam Phillips, who will be playing Lord Debling, a genial lord with unusual interests. But with wealth and a noble title to back up his eccentricities, he'll have no shortage of interest from young ladies this season, with Penelope Featherington very much in his sights.

Sam Phillips has appeared in a host of British dramas, including Father Brown and Grantchester, yet is most famous for his role in Kay Mellor's lottery series The Syndicate. He also played an equerry in Netflix's royal saga The Crown. 

James Phoon plays Harry Dankworth. What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence, he more than makes up for with serious good looks.

A skilled theatre actor, James Phoon is a screen newcomer, although he is due to appear in BBC Three comedy horror series Wreck in the coming months. He also appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on the West End. 

And according to Deadline, Hannah New, the star of Starz’ series Black Sails, will play Lady Tilley Arnold, a firebrand widow. Widowed at an early age, she enjoys the privileges and power that come with being at the helm of her former husband’s estate, living life on her own terms with financial independence and sexual freedom.

Bridgerton season 3 episode titles

The titles of the eight episodes were revealed in February 2024 and as are follows... 

• Out of the Shadows
• How Bright the Moon
• Forces of Nature
• Old Friends
• Tick Tock
• Romancing Mr Bridgerton
• Joining of Hands
• Into the Light

Bridgerton season 3 filming locations

Filming took place in London and also Bath. The show also tweeted behind-the-scenes snaps from filming, including this one of Lady Danbury...

Will there be a Bridgerton season 4? 

Yes! Netflix commissioned seasons 3 and 4 in April 2021, so we can expect plenty more drama in the years to come.

• What to watch after Bridgerton 
• Bridgerton season 1 — 24 things you didn't know about the making of the first Netflix series
• Bridgerton season 2 — 22 things you never knew about Netflix's hit period drama
• Daphne Bridgerton — everything you need to know about the Bridgerton character
• Phoebe Dynevor — things you didn’t know about the TV star

'The Ton' from Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte (and the real world, as it has a historical basis) was the upper crust of the most fashionable and well-respected men and women, and thanks to Netflix Black Friday deals, you can join this esteemed company without spending too much money.

As part of the busy world of Black Friday sales, Netflix has discounted basically everything on its official Merch store, and there's a range of Bridgerton merch there, as well as items from the spin-off Queen Charlotte.

• Check out the Netflix Merch Store here

In particular, lots of these Bridgerton deals are on gift sets, with a range of fun bundles offered by Netflix that you can give to a fan of the series. Of course, you can pick these up for yourself, you don't need to share!

So if you want to make yourself the talk of The Ton, or need to give a few fashion or taste pointers to your friends, here are some of the Black Friday Bridgerton deals on gift sets and other items.

• Will there be a Netflix Black Friday deal?

Black Friday Bridgerton deals

Based in the UK? These gifts are all reduced there as well as in the US (unless they sell out)  so click through to find prices in your region.

More Black Friday Netflix deals

Want more from Netflix? We've got a round-up of 10 items under $10 in the Netflix shop sales, and also a guide on whether there will be a Netflix Black Friday deal on a subscription itself.

If you don't mind ditching Netflix, we've also got a guide on how you can use Black Friday deals to sign up for 5 streaming services for the same price.

Of course, we've got a general round-up of Netflix Black Friday deals on popular items from the streamer too.

Looking for other Black Friday discounts? Here's some more guides on What to Watch, to make sure you're covered:

• Black Friday streaming deals
• DVD Black Friday deals
• Disney Black Friday deals 
• Harry Potter Black Friday deals 
• Star Wars Black Friday deals

Fellow Travelers is a political thriller and epic love story that spans decades and starts during of the darkest times in American history, during the so-called McCarthy era of the 1950s. 

Created by Ron Nyswamer — the man behind the Tom Hanks' movie Philadelphia and spy thriller Homeland — and based on the novel Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon, the story follows a clandestine romance between the charismatic Hawkins Fuller (Matt Bomer), who works in politics, and young idealist Tim Laughlin (Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey). The pair meet just as US Senator Joseph McCarthy and his chief counsel Roy Cohn declare that homosexuality is sexual deviancy, and the series follows the pair against the backdrop of the 1960s protests against the Vietnam War, the drug-fuelled hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Showtime and Paramount Plus series Fellow Travelers…

Fellow Travelers release date

Fellow Travelers is an eight-part series that launched on Paramount Plus with Showtime in the US and Canada on Friday October 27 2023, then on Paramount Plus on Saturday October 28 in the UK, Australia, Latin America, South Korea, Italy, Germany Switzerland and Austria. It's a major drama during the Autumn TV season for 2023.

* How to watch Fellow Travelers: stream the historical romance drama including air date

* Paramount Plus price: cost, deals and content for the streaming service.

* Sign up for Paramount Plus here.

Is there a trailer for Fellow Travelers?

Paramount Plus and Showtime have both released trailers for Fellow Travelers. So do take a look at both below...

Yes a teaser trailer for Fellow Travelers was released by Paramount which shows a very tense drama. We see Hawkins and Tim walk past one another in the corridors of power, with flashbacks to their secret and potentially explosive romance. Take a look below at the trailer and a tweet about the show.

Fellow Travelers plot 

Fellow Travelers follows a secret romance between two very different men – the rich Hawkins Fuller (Matt Bomer) and the young Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey) who is brimming with idealism and religious faith. They start a romance, but Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn have just declared war on ‘subversives and sexual deviants’ so their love could cost them everything. We follow them, alongside three other characters – Marcus (Jelani Alladin), Lucy (Allison Williams) and Frankie (Noah J. Ricketts) - as they cross paths over the next four decades. 

When Hawkins Fuller (American Horror Story’s Matt Bomer), an influential staffer working for a US Senator, meets aspiring politico Tim Laughlin (Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey) at a Washington fundraiser, the attraction between the two men is instant. 

The problem is that the year is 1952, and Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy (For All Mankind’s Chris Bauer) is about to announce his intention to stamp out ‘subversives and sexual deviants’ in the US government.

The drama follows the love story between Hawk and Tim over four turbulent decades including the Vietnam War and AIDS crisis, as they keep getting pulled back into each other’s orbit.

"It’s so compelling to have a powerful attraction between people who view life very differently," says Ron Nyswaner, the show’s creator and executive producer. "They are, in many ways, not suited to each other, but they are powerfully drawn together. And they’re in a very high-pressured, high stakes environment, where their attraction to each other could ruin their lives.?"

In order to maintain his cover, Hawk marries his friend Lucy (Girls star Allison Williams), who is also the daughter of his boss, Senator Wesley Smith (My Policeman’s Linus Roache).

"Lucy and Hawk have this delicious relationship of having known each other since childhood,’ explains Nyswaner. ‘There was always an assumption that they would get married someday - and what’s compelling to me about Lucy is, what does she know about Hawk and what doesn’t she know? What are we willing to not face, if we get to be with somebody we care about? 

"Lucy and Tim are in a similar situation where they both desire this man, and are both willing to give up certain things to have him - but at a certain point, they will pay a price for that.’

The series’ timeline spans from the McCarthy era through to the Aids crisis of the 1980s and runs on a non-linear narrative, which Nyswaner admits occasionally caused some confusion during production.

‘Part of my job on set was to keep everybody clear,’ he recalls. ‘There were times when, in a given day, we were in three different decades - that was really challenging for the designers and the crew!’

Follow Travelers cast — Matt Bomer as Hawkins Fuller 

Matt Bomer plays Hawkins Fuller, who has made a career for himself behind the scenes in politics. 

Crucial to the success of Fellow Travelers was finding two actors with the right chemistry, and Nyswaner explains that Bomer - who also serves as executive producer on the series - and Jonathan Bailey as Tim perfectly captured the longing that keeps their characters coming back to each other.

"Matt has the ability to signal what’s going on inside without having to tell you,’ says Nyswaner. "Hawkins’ inner life is hidden from the world, because it’s too risky to share that with other human beings.

"Tim’s the opposite - his emotions are on the surface, and Jonny does that very well, that incredible nervous energy that he embodies of just wanting something so powerfully. Because of that, I think the audience will want him to get Hawk - even though it’s probably not going to be good for Tim if he does."

* Matt Bomer has previously starred in Magic Mike, In Time, White Collar, Will & Grace, The Normal Heart, Tru Calling, American Horror Story: Hotel, The Magnificent Seven and The Sinner. 

Jonathan Bailey as Tim Laughlin

Jonathan Bailey is playing Hawkins Fuller's secret lover Tim Laughlin. 

Jonathan Bailey is best known for playing Lord Anthony Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton and has also starred in W1A, Hooten and The Lady, Crashing, Broadchurch, Leonardo and Baddiel’s Syndrome. He will star in the upcoming movie Wicked, playing Fiyero. 

Who else is starring in Fellow Travelers? 

There's a great remaining cast for Fellow Travellers which includes Jelani Alladin (Tick, tick.. BOOM!, The Walking Dead: World Beyond) who plays Marcus Hooks, while Allison Williams (Get Out, Girls) is Lucy Smith and Noah J. Ricketts (American Gods) plays Frankie Hines. Linus Roache will play Senator Wesley Smith while Chris Bauer is Senator Joe McCarthy and Will Brill is Roy Cohn. 

Fellow Travelers episode guide

Here's a brief episode guide for Fellow Travelers. Remember the episodes are released weekly from October 27 2023 (in the US) and October 28 (in the UK)...

Episode 1
It's tje 1950s in Washington DC and the atmosphere is febrile as it's the Joseph McCarthy which suspicions of communist infiltration into US society are running high and any accusations could ruin a career in an instant. Hawkins Fuller is a war hero moving up the ladder at the State Department. when Hawk meets religious Tim Laughlin and they begin an affair that puts them in jeopardy.

Episodes 2 to 8
Please do check back as we'll be adding weekly information.

Behind the scenes and more on Fellow Travelers

Matt Bomer and Nyswaner executive produce Fellow Travelers with Robbie Rogers (All American, My Policeman) and Dee Johnson. Daniel Minahan (Halston, American Crime Story: Versace) executive produces and direct the first two episodes. The series is co-produced by Fremantle and Paramount+.

* Other big dramas currently showing or coming soon to Paramount Plus...

* The Castaways
* A Gentleman in Moscow
* No Escape
* Sexy Beast
* The Killing Kind
* Fatal Attraction
* The Gymnasts
* The Flatshare

Netflix miniseries Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will take us back through the history of our favorite Regency saga when it hits our screens in May.  

Set mainly in the 18th century, decades before the events of the main drama, this stand-alone six-part prequel follows the story of the young Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George III. 

It was a union that not only went down in history but triggered a societal shift that laid the foundations for the scandalous and seductive world of the Ton, which Bridgerton fans know and love. 

India Amarteifio plays the 17-year-old monarch, who's loosely based on the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who reigned alongside King George III from their marriage in 1761, to her death in 1818.

But how much of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is actually true to real life? We take a look... 

* Spoilers for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story follow * 

Did Queen Charlotte really marry George hours after arriving in Britain? 

In the six-part series, Charlotte is married within hours of first arriving at the Royal Court in London, which is almost exactly how it happened in real life.

The real Charlotte was also 17 when her marriage to a 22-year-old King George was signed off by her brother Adolphus and on August 17, 1761, the pair set out for Britain, with a British escort party. 

On August 22, they began an extremely difficult voyage to Britain, during which they encountered three storms at sea, before landing at Harwich over two weeks later on September 7. 

They set out at once for London and arrived at St James's Palace at 3:30pm the next day. At 9:00 pm that same evening (September 8, 1761) within six hours of her arrival, Charlotte was united in marriage with King George III. 

Did Queen Charlotte really try to escape over the garden wall? 

There is no evidence that Queen Charlotte got cold feet on the day of her wedding, although when she and her party arrived at St James's Palace, they were received by the King and his family at the garden gate.

As such the first meeting between George and Charlotte was in or near a garden, as the Netflix series suggests. However, their first meeting was probably not quite as bubbly as it was in the Netflix series, as the Queen-to-be was unable to speak a word of English when she first arrived in London. 

Did Queen Charlotte really have a Pomeranian? 

In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Queen Charlotte is gifted a Pomeranian by her new husband because he doesn't want her to ever feel lonely. 

However, in real life, Charlotte was thought to have already been a big fan of these little dogs before she even set foot in London. Indeed when she sailed to England to marry the king, she brought with her two Pomeranians named Phoebe and Mercury. 

Her love for the breed also led her to give Pomeranians to other members of the royal family as presents and in later decades, her granddaughter Queen Victoria also became a Pomeranian-lover. 

Did Queen Charlotte really use snuff? 

Snuff (dry, ground tobacco) was very popular during the 18th century and by all accounts, Queen Charlotte was as keen on the stuff as everyone else at court, even apparently earning the nickname “Snuffy Charlotte”.

She is also thought to have had an entire room at Windsor Castle dedicated to her snuff collection, her favorite of which was named Violet Strasbourg, a blend mixed with bitter almonds, ambergris and attar.

Was Queen Charlotte the first owner of Buckingham Palace? 

In the first episode of the Netflix series, King George presents his new wife with quite a wedding gift on the evening of their nuptials. A magnificent mansion! 

Once again, this plot line has plenty of truth in it, although Buckingham House — as it was then known — didn't officially become Charlotte's until many years later. 

St James's Palace was the couple's official residence — as George says in the show — but the Queen much preferred Buckingham House, a property at the western end of St James's Park, which the King had recently purchased.

More private and compact than St James's Palace and not far away, the new property stood amid rolling parkland not far from St James's Palace and in 1762 the King and Queen moved to this residence, which was originally intended as a private retreat. 

However, Queen Charlotte spent so much of her time there that it came to be known as The Queen's House. Indeed, in 1775, an Act of Parliament settled the property on Queen Charlotte and most of her 15 children were born within its walls. Of course, Buckingham House is now called Buckingham Palace. 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is now available to stream on Netflix. 

Set decades before the main Bridgerton series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story focuses upon the young life of Queen Charlotte, her marriage to King George III and the great love story that helped create the Regency world we know and love — and now it is time to meet the heroes and villains of the cast. 

We'll get to see how the 17-year-old monarch began shaping the Ton and forged a lifelong bond with Lady Danbury, while also following a young Lady Violet Bridgerton during the formative years that would shape her life. 

Meanwhile, in a separate timeline, we'll also get to see how the actions of these years affected the Queen and some of our other favorite characters in contemporary Bridgerton. 

We take a look at the most important players in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story...

India Amarteifio plays Young Charlotte

Betrothed to the mysterious King of England against her will, Charlotte arrives in London only to realize she was not exactly what the royals were expecting. As she learns to navigate the palace, the ton, and her unpredictable husband, she grows into one of Europe’s most unforgettable monarchs.

India Amarteifio, 21, was born in Kingston upon Thames, England, and has previously appeared in the hit British drama Line of Duty, while also playing Lizzie Peach in Netflix coming-of-age drama Sex Education. 

Arsema Thomas plays Young Agatha Danbury

Under the thumb of a much older husband, Agatha uses Charlotte's arrival to find her own way into society. With keen knowledge of the once-divided social scene and the intricacies of marriage, Agatha becomes a guiding light for the new queen, all while finding her own voice and power we’ll soon recognize as Bridgerton’s iconic Lady Danbury.

Arsema Thomas was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and has lived in multiple countries while growing up, including Comoros, Uganda, Kenya, Togo, Benin and India. She speaks English, French, Spanish, Yoruba and Amharic. Last year she appeared in her debut feature film Redeeming Love. 

Corey Mylchreest plays Young King George

Handsome, charismatic, and a bit of a mystery, George has always bowed to the restraints placed on him by the crown. Until now. Having to share his space, and bed, with his new wife forces George to face his hidden demons head on.

Corey Mylchreest is a British actor starring in his first lead role after appearing in epic Netflix series, The Sandman, last year. 

Michelle Fairley plays Princess Augusta

Determined to maintain her family's power, the Dowager Princess does what it takes to secure her son’s place as monarch amidst a changing, modernizing Britain.

Michelle Fairley is an actor from Northern Ireland who's most famous for playing Catelyn Stark in HBO fantasy saga Game of Thrones. She's also appeared in hit shows such as Gangs of London and 24: Live Another Day. 

Golda Rosheuvel plays Queen Charlotte (Regency Era)

As we know, Queen Charlotte is the 19th Century Influencer, and what she says is law in this world. But there’s a thorn in her side by the name of Lady Whistledown, and the queen is more determined than ever to find the infamous scribe.

Golda Rosheuvel is a British-Guyanese actor who has starred in a host of stage productions, including the leading role in a lesbian version of Othello. She's also had roles in famous British shows such as Coronation Street, Luther and Silent Witness. 

Adjoa Andoh plays Lady Danbury (Regency Era)

Unconcerned with the rules of polite society, Lady Danbury is a straight shooter — both formidable and a little intimidating. And while her judgments may be sharp, they’re always accurate.

Adjoa Andoh is a British actress who has enjoyed a long career on television, with roles in Doctor Who, Casualty, Jonathan Creek and Law & Order: UK. 

Ruth Gemmell plays Lady Violet Bridgerton (Regency Era)

The Bridgerton matriarch’s love for her children truly has no bounds, but the Bridgerton brood are certainly testing Violet this season. Despite this, she still only wants one thing for all of her children: to marry for love.

Ruth Gemmell is a British actress who has enjoyed a long career on television, with roles in Utopia, Waking the Dead, Home Fires and Penny Dreadful. 

Sam Clemmett plays Young Brimsley

The Queen’s Man. At first Young Charlotte’s suffocating shadow always hovering five steps behind, he eventually becomes a bright spot of loyalty, companionship, and discretion in what starts as a first lonely and then seemingly impossible position for Charlotte.

Sam Clemmett is a British actor best known for his role as Albus Potter in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Freddie Dennis plays Reynolds

The King’s Man. Reynolds has been at George’s side for many years and thus not only serves him with complete loyalty, but also feels compelled to protect the king’s secret at all costs.

Freddie Dennis is a British actor best known for his role as Young Rothram in HBO series The Nevers. 

Hugh Sachs plays Brimsley (Regency Era)

Queen Charlotte’s Man who has devoted his life to serving the crown.

Hugh Sachs is a British actor best known for his role in ITV comedy series Benidorm, where he played Gavin Ramsbottom. 

Cyril Nri plays Lord Danbury

Agatha’s husband, with whom she has an incredibly complicated relationship. She’s both repulsed by and loyal to this man, decades her senior, to whom she was promised at age three.

Cyril Nri is a Nigerian-born British actor who is best known for playing Superintendent Adam Okaro in the police iconic ITV series The Bill.

Connie Jenkins-Greig plays Young Violet Ledger

Intelligent and precocious. A bright young lady with a big heart, young Violet is from a noble family — not yet a Bridgerton or the devoted matriarch we know.

Connie Jenkins-Greig is an up-and-coming British actor who has appeared in film shorts The Dead Collector and I Am Your Sister. 

Keir Charles plays Lord Ledger

Violet’s kind and supportive father, always with her best interests at heart above all else.

Keir Charles is a British actor who's appeared in a host of hit UK-based shows, such as The Salisbury Poisonings, Flesh and Blood, Back To Life and A Confession. 

India Amarteifio has taken on the royal role of her dreams in Netflix spin-off miniseries Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

The 21-year-old star, who has previously had small roles in hit shows such as Line of Duty and Sex Education, plays the lead in the prequel period drama that lays the foundations for the world of Bridgerton.

Yet she feared she'd missed out on the biggest part of her acting career so far when she choked and had to walk out of the audition! 

"My first audition was in November 2021," she says. "I got a brief to say it was something in the Bridgeton sphere. I didn't exactly know what it was, but I was like, if I have the opportunity to do it, sign me up!"

"Then in my second audition I met the show's director Tom Verica and the Shondaland team, which was really cool and really calm," she explained during a recent press event. "But I had a coughing fit. I choked, so much so that I had to end my Zoom call and go downstairs and recuperate. I thought then that it wasn't going to go my way!"

But despite her nerves, show creator Shonda Rhymes and her team were certain India had what it took to bring the young Queen Charlotte — who's played by Golda Rosheuvel in the main series — to life. 

Set mainly in the 18th century, decades before the events of the main Netflix drama, the stand-alone six-part prequel follows the story of the young Queen Charlotte’s marriage to King George III. 

It was a union that not only went down in history but triggered a societal shift that laid the foundations for the scandalous and seductive world of the Ton, which Bridgerton fans know and love. 

"Charlotte comes from a small province in Germany and is forced into this arranged marriage with King George III, which she’s not too happy about at first," explains India.

"It’s essentially the story of a black woman who, against all odds, became part of one of the most powerful monarchies in the world. We don’t brush the subject of race under the carpet either, she’s different but that’s not the issue, it’s society that needs to change."

Yet while we delve into the history of famous characters such as Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton, we’ll also get a chance to see how the past directly affects the Bridgerton present. 

As such, a second timeline set at the same time as the main series will explore the lives of these women, with Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh and Ruth Gemmell reprising their roles from Bridgerton. 

"There was overlap between us and the younger actors," says Golda Rosheuvel. "Sometimes they’d be on set in the morning, while we'd be there in the afternoon and we’d high five in the corridor. But I always wanted India to come at the role from her own truth and be authentic with it. She did a great job."

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story premieres on Netflix on Tuesday 4 May

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a Netflix prequel spin-off charting the monarch's rise to the throne.

The limited series will run for just one season and follow some of our favorites from the main show during their early years. We also know the new spin-off will be a prequel to Bridgerton season 1, Bridgerton season 2 and Bridgerton season 3.

The tale will focus on a youthful Queen Charlotte (played by Golda Rosheuval in the first two seasons of Bridgerton) but a young Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and matriarch Violet (Ruth Gemmell) will also feature. 

Here's everything we know about the upcoming Bridgerton Queen Charlotte spin-off show, which has been written by showrunner Shonda Rhimes... 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story release date

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story will be released worldwide on Netflix on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

Is there a Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story trailer? 

Yes! A full-length official trailer finally landed on March 23, check it out below.

A behind the scenes trailer has also been released by Netflix, which sees the cast talking about their characters and what we can expect from the new show... 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story plot

A Netflix press release described the spin-off as... “A limited prequel series based on the origins of Queen Charlotte, that will center on the rise and love life of a young Charlotte. The spinoff will also tell the stories of young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury”

A further synopsis says... "Centered on Queen Charlotte's rise to prominence and power, this Bridgerton-verse prequel tells the story of how the young Queen's marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton."

While Julia Quinn's Bridgerton novels are works of fiction, there was a real Queen Charlotte in Britain during the early 1800s and while she doesn't appear in the books, showrunner Shonda Rhimes decided to add her to the show. 

Yet it was Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos who encouraged Rhimes to write a spin-off series for the monarch... "Ted picked up the phone and called me and said, ‘Why aren’t we doing a show about Queen Charlotte? And will you write it?’" said Rhimes in an interview with Variety last year. 

"I’m very obsessed with Queen Charlotte, and I always call her the Beyoncé of the show. I’m constantly saying out loud, ‘God, I love her wigs’ — somehow hoping that somebody will send me one of her wigs so that I can walk around wearing it.”

In real life, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a German noble and became queen consort to George III upon their marriage in 1761. 

The couple had 15 children, but King George III suffered several bouts of mental illness which hampered his rule. King George III is played by Vicar of Dibley star James Fleet in the main Bridgerton series. 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story cast

There will be three very familiar faces to Bridgerton fans who will be starring in the new Queen Charlotte spin-off, with Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Agatha Danbury) and Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton) all reprising their roles. 

But there will be plenty of new faces too, as a young cast plays the well-loved Bridgerton characters in their younger days. India Amarteifio, best known for starring opposite Thandiwe Newton in Line of Duty, will portray the younger version of Charlotte.

The new spin-off will focus on Charlotte but is also set to highlight Lady Danbury's early years as well. TV newcomer Arsema Thomas (below) has been cast to play the younger version of Lady Danbury.

In July 2022, Deadline revealed that British actress Connie Jenkins-Greig (Mr Selfridge, New Blood) would be joining the show as Young Violet Ledger, the daughter of Vivian and Lord Ledger (played by Katie Brayben and Keir Charles, respectively).

The Deadline report claims that she's been described as a "kind and inquisitive teenager".

Young George will be played by Corey Mylchreest, while Michelle Fairley — who played Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones — will portray his mother, Princess Augusta.

The rest of the cast includes Sam Clemmett (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as young Brimsley, Richard Cunningham (The Witcher) as Lord Bute, Tunji Kasim (Nancy Drew) as Adolphus, Rob Maloney (Casualty) as the Royal Doctor, Cyril Nri (Cucumber) as Lord Danbury, while Hugh Sachs, will be reprising his Bridgerton role as the older Brimsley.

Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix now. 

Bridgerton has become renowned for its weeping gowns, spectacular balls and scurrilous court gossip, but there is one other part of the show that gets fans talking, and that's the steamy sex scenes. 

But now Bridgerton season 2 star Simone Ashley has revealed how the cast celebrated when they finished filming a particularly racy scene in the Netflix hit. 

Simone, star of Sex Education and The Sister, plays Kate Sharma in the second season of Bridgerton, who ends up falling for Lord Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey, while he is engaged to marry her younger sister, Edwina. 

Fans of the period drama will remember that while there were fewer steamy scenes in season two than we got in Bridgerton season 1, there was one scene towards the end of the season that saw Kate and Anthony finally spend the night together.

Talking of filming these intimate scenes with The Times, Simone said that they all celebrated by drinking champagne once the filming wrapped...

"We had champagne after we finished the sex scenes in Bridgerton. It felt like we’d done the hardest bit of the whole 11-month shoot," she admitted.

"We did all of our intimacy scenes in one week. It’s a lot, gearing up for that every day and making sure you have enough sleep, doing whatever you have to do to make you feel ready, but I am confident in myself and my body."

Simone also revealed a surprising side effect to wearing a corset while filming 12-hour days on set... "Corsets push everything down to the bottom of your stomach. That means when you take them off, you’ve got a little bump," she said. 

"I hated wearing those corsets filming Bridgerton. They’re so beautiful, but I hate them — never again! Luckily, we’re allowed to wear bras now instead and that has changed everything for me. I can do a 12-hour day and feel comfortable."

With production underway for Bridgerton season 3, is thought the next installment of the period drama will arrive later this year, after Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which has already wrapped filming. 

And after Rege-Jean Page, star of Bridgerton season 1, didn't appear in the second season, fans were terrified Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley could suffer the same fate.

Luckily this won't be the case and it has since been confirmed by Simone that the pair would in fact be back for the next series. She shared the news exclusively with Deadline, stating: "We're going to be back! Kate and Anthony are just getting started. I'd like to see Kate just let go a bit more and play more in season 3 and kind of swim in that circle of love together. I think they both deserve it."

You can stream the first two seasons of Bridgerton on Netflix now. 

Bridgerton fans were shocked when Ruby Stokes revealed she was leaving the hit period drama last year and the 22-year-old has finally lifted the lid on her "difficult" decision. 

Stokes left the show to star in Netflix's new paranormal teen drama Lockwood & Co, saying the chance to play a leading role was too good to turn down.

Based on the novels of Jonathan Stroud, the eight-part series is set in an alternate reality where the British public is plagued by sinister spirits and spectres.

Among the host of adult-run agencies that have emerged to deal with a phenomenon known as "The Problem" is a small independent start-up agency run by Anthony Lockwood, with no adult supervision. 

Stokes plays Lucy Carlyle, a young woman with extraordinary psychical abilities who joins Lockwood & Co at the start of the series and finds herself uncovering a dark conspiracy that could change the world. 

"Working on Bridgerton was wonderful and it was incredible to be part of a show like that," said Ruby when she spoke to us in an exclusive interview recently. 

"Leaving was always going to be a difficult choice, but something about Lucy spoke to me. It was a chance to explore a very different character and I’ve learned a great deal playing a young adult at the helm of a show. I just felt it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down!"

Hannah Dodd will take Ruby's place as Francesca Bridgerton when the show returns to Netflix for a much-anticipated third season later this year, with the character due to be the star of the sixth series if the show reflects the orders of Julia Quinn's series of novels.

Yet the character has seen very little screen time in the first two seasons and ultimately Ruby decided it was the right time to leave the ton to play Lucy Carlyle in Lockwood & Co. 

"Lucy is so complex," she explains. "She had a horrible childhood because her mum was quite abusive and she’s also experienced a lot of trauma in her life, yet she also has this remarkable gift that makes her very special. She's really headstrong, quite kick-ass and very independent, she’s pretty vulnerable as well, so I was really excited to play her!"

Lockwood & Co premieres on Netflix on Friday, January 27.

The Crown season 5 episode four featured Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend's reunion in 1992, with the pair even sharing one last kiss before going their separate ways — but did any of it really happen? 

"Annus Horriblis" tells the story of the year in which Windsor Castle burned down, Prince Andrew separated from the Duchess of York and Prince Charles made it clear his marriage to Diana was effectively over. 

The Queen memorable described it as the worst year of her life and Netflix will be looking at the tumultuous period through the eyes of Princess Margaret (Lesley Manville) who's reminded of her love affair with royal equerry, Group Captain Peter Townsend (Timothy Dalton). 

Margaret wasn't allowed to marry Townsend in the 1950s, as he was a divorcee and remarriage was frowned upon by the Church of England at the time, so she's surprised to receive a letter from him several decades later.

Nevertheless, the pair share a touching reunion and even exchange a kiss, before going their separate ways once more in The Crown season 5. But what was the real-life story behind the pair's reunion and did Margaret really carry a torch for Townsend for the rest of her days? 

Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend's final kiss — did the reunion in 1992 really happen? 

Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend said during a 1970 book tour that he and Margaret hadn't seen each other since a "friendly" meeting in 1958, which corresponds with the events in The Crown. 

However in October 1993, a friend of Margaret revealed the Princess had met Townsend the previous year, for what turned out to be the last time before his death in 1995. 

Yet rather than meeting him in public, as Margaret did in the Netflix drama, she decided not to attend the reunion they'd both been invited to, for fear it might be picked up by the press and invited him to lunch at her apartment in Kensington Palace.

Margaret is reported to have said that Townsend, who was then aged 77, looked "exactly the same, except he had grey hair". They are thought to have spent the afternoon chatting like old friends, yet other guests at the event are said to have found him disgruntled and convinced that in agreeing to part, he and Margaret had set a noble example which seemed to have been in vain.

There is no evidence that they shared one last kiss, as was depicted in The Crown. 

Did Princess Margaret keep all of Peter Townsend's love letters? 

In The Crown season 5 episode 4, Peter Townsend says he kept every single one of Margaret's letters to him and offers to return them to him to prevent them falling into the wrong hands. She in turn reveals that she still has all the letters he sent to her during the height of their romance. 

In reality, the Princess and Townsend didn't correspond at all in the decades after their split and the letters they exchanged are now in the royal archives. They will not be available to the public until 100 years after Margaret's birth, in 2030. 

Furthermore, in 1959 Margaret wrote to Townsend in response to him informing her of his remarriage plans, accusing him of betraying their vow not to marry anyone else and requesting her love letters to him be destroyed.

Townsend has always claimed he complied with her wishes, but kept that final letter and an envelope of burned ashes of the vow she'd sent, before eventually destroying these also. He was apparently unaware Margaret had already broken the pact by her engagement to Billy Wallace, an event that wasn't revealed until many years later.

Was Margaret heartbroken over her split with Townsend for the rest of her life? 

After finally breaking off her relationship with Townsend, Princess Margaret accepted a proposal from Billy Wallace, one of the dwindling number in her circle who was still single, and who had proposed to her constantly.

The engagement was never formally announced and short-lived, ending when he naively confessed to a holiday fling while in the Bahamas during their courtship.

Wallace would later say: "The thing with Townsend was a girlish nonsense that got out of hand. It was never the big thing on her part that people claim. I had my chance and blew it with my big mouth, or she would have become Mrs Wallace and I would have been able to handle her."

In 1959 Margaret became engaged to fashionable young photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. Their engagement caught the nation by surprise. Some close friends believed it had been precipitated by Townsend's plans to remarry, this time to a young Belgian woman named Marie-Luce Jamagne. 

She had received his letter informing her of this while at Balmoral with Armstrong-Jones. But she was later to confide to a close friend that she knew Armstrong-Jones was about to propose and begged him not to on that day. He duly obliged, but proposed shortly after and was immediately accepted.

Cracks in Margaret and Armstrong-Jones' marriage began to appear shortly after the birth of their daughter, Lady Sarah, beginning with his infidelity, while in 1966 Margaret embarked on her first extra-marital affair with Antony Barton, a Bordeaux wine producer and a godfather to Lady Sarah.

The following year she had a short but intense romance with Robin Douglas-Home, an aristocratic piano-player and nephew of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, former Conservative prime minister. 

The affair lasted just one month, ending when she decided to try to save her relationship with Snowdon and eighteen months later Douglas-Home committed suicide by taking a drugs overdose. 

Princess Margaret's next romance with Roddy Llewellyn, 17 years her junior, began when her husband was in a relationship with his assistant, Lucy Lindsay Hogg, who was to become his second wife. 

At the height of her distress, and unable to sleep, she took a handful of Mogadon tablets and anxious staff found they were unable to wake her. Friends have always denied that it was an attempt at suicide and she is reported to have said: "I was so exhausted because of everything that all I wanted to do was sleep . . . and I did, right through to the following afternoon."

Armstrong-Jones and Margaret divorced in 1978 and in the same year, 23 years after his love affair with Princess Margaret ended, Townsend released his first autobiography, "Time and Chance" and described their relationship thus.. 

"She could have married me only if she had been prepared to give up everything — her position, her prestige, her privy purse," he wrote. "I simply hadn't the weight, I knew it, to counterbalance all she would have lost."

Peter Townsend died in 1995 at the age of 80, with a Buckingham Palace spokesman relaying that Princess Margaret was "sad" at the news. Margaret herself died seven years later, in 2002. 

The Crown season 5 is available now on Netflix

Want to read the Bridgerton books in order?

Bridgerton season 2 dazzled us with more goings-on from the beloved Netflix period drama in early 2022, but we haven't been back to the ton since, and we won't be seeing more from the series until the spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story comes along in May 2023. 

If you’re looking for a good way to fill the void between now and then, or you want to get ahead of the story so you’re ready for Bridgerton season 3 to tell Penelope and Colin’s love story, then you might decide to turn to Julia Quinn's Bridgerton books.

If you haven’t come across them before, the hugely popular Bridgerton novels were penned by New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, Julia Quinn. The book series chronicling the lives of the Bridgerton siblings was originally published between 2000 and 2006, long before Shonda Rhimes and original showrunner Chris Van Dusen turned them into one of the best Netflix originals to date.

Set in the competitive world of Regency-era London between 1813 and 1827, the novels are concerned with the lives and romantic exploits of the eight Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, George, and Hyacinth. 

Here's how to read the Bridgerton books in order.

The Bridgerton books in order

The correct reading order for Julia Quinn's main Bridgerton novels is:

• The Duke and I (2000) 
• The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
• An Offer From A Gentleman (2001)
• Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (2002)
• To Sir Phillip, With Love (2003)
• When He Was Wicked (2004)
• It's In His Kiss (2005)
• On The Way To The Wedding (2006)

Following the Bridgerton novels is very simple, as the books were published in chronological order. So, you'll start your Bridgerton journey following Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings's love story in The Duke and I, and work your way through to On The Way To The Wedding. 

You'll note that the show has diverted from the reading order once you get to book three, as the third book in the series, An Offer From A Gentleman, revolves around Benedict's love affair with Sophie Beckett. However, we already know that series 3 is focusing on Benedict's younger brother, Colin, and his romance with Penelope Featherington.

Are there any spin-off Bridgerton books?

If you've already devoured the entire Bridgerton saga, Julia Quinn has produced an extra book titled The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After (2013). 

This book collects together Julia Quinn's so-called 'second epilogues' from the end of each book in the main series, but it also contains a brand new novella centered on Violet Bridgerton, the family matriarch.

If you're ready to get to know a new family from the ton, you could also try dipping into Quinn's ongoing Rokesby series. Set in the late 1700s, the Rokesby saga follows the aristocratic Rokesby family, who were neighbors and close friends with the Bridgerton lot.

Along with learning all about the Rokesbys, this prequel series includes more scandalous stories involving members of families, plus the chance to see what a few of your favorite Bridgerton siblings were like when they were younger! 

There are currently four Rokesby books, and the reading order for this prequel series is:

• Because of Miss Bridgerton (2016)
• The Girl With the Make-Believe Husband (2017)
• The Other Miss Bridgerton (2018)
• First Comes Scandal (2020)

If you're after even more gossip from Lady Whistledown, whose scandalous columns narrate the first four books, you should also consider picking up The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown (2003) and Lady Whistledown Strikes Back (2004).

These two anthologies contain novellas written by Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins, and Mia Ryan. In both collections, each story comes complete with a Lady Whistledown column (written by Quinn) wherein the gossip columnist comments on the characters in each story in her trademark style.

Is there a Queen Charlotte book?

Yes! Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes have co-written a new book all about Queen Charlotte and her romance with King George III. The new prequel—also titled Queen Charlotte—will be released on May 9th, 2023, just five days after the new series arrives.

Inspired by the upcoming Queen Charlotte spin-off, this new novel in the Bridgerton cycle charts the two royals' love story, and how it sparked societal change. The summary of the new novel explains that the pair were married mere hours after they met for the first time, and describes how Charlotte has to quickly grasp the intricacies of being at court. 

• Pre-order the new Queen Charlotte novel at Amazon.

Season 1 and 2 of Bridgerton are available to stream right now on Netflix.

More Bridgerton

• What to watch after Bridgerton
• Hannah Dodd reacts to joining the Bridgerton season 3 cast
• Bridgerton season 3 to be even less steamy, says Netflix

Jonathan Bailey, who plays philandering but quintessential English nobleman Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in the hit Netflix Regency drama, has a major storyline in Bridgerton season 2. As the eldest sibling, Anthony is the de facto head of the Bridgerton family following the death of his father.

Anthony Bridgerton spent the whole of the first season in an on-off relationship with soprano singer Siena Rosso. But in Bridgerton season 2, there were big things ahead for the Viscount as he settled down and found a wife in Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) after their passionate enemies to lovers romance.

Now, Jonathan is set to reprise the role in Bridgerton season 3 as his sibling Colin gets his own love story with Penelope Featherington.

With shows like Broadchurch, W1A, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s comedy Crashing on his CV, Jonathan is currently one of the hottest actors around. 

So we thought we’d find out a little more about the 33-year-old Laurence Olivier Award-winning British actor, who is set to play Fiyero Tigelaar in the 2024 movie Wicked and guest star in Heartstopper season 3. 

Here are 12 things that may surprise you about the star…

1. Jonathan Bailey is an award winning theatre actor

Jonathan Bailey won a 2019 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his portrayal of Jamie in the 2018 West End revival of Company. It was this success that led to him landing the role of Anthony Bridgerton, who had an even greater part to play in Bridgerton Season 2 

2. Although he plays a rakish womaniser in Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey is gay

Jonathan Bailey has spoken candidly about coming out as gay: "I was coming to terms with my own sexuality, I hadn’t necessarily hidden it, but I’ve never been not honest about it," he recently told fellow actor Ian McKellen in a feature in Attitude magazine. "It’s just there had never been a need to talk about it. There’s a sense of shame, I think, that’s palpable throughout gay men within the industry."

3. His guilty pleasure is watching musical flashmob videos on YouTube

Jonathan says: "I’ve been going down wormholes of looking at flashmobs of musical theatre numbers. They’re extraordinary!".

4. Jonathan wanted to become an actor from the age of five

Although neither his parents nor three older sisters have anything to do with acting, Jonathan Bailey’s interest was sparked as a child after watching a production of Oliver! in the local village hall. He’s gone on to have a hugely successful career in theatre with roles in David Hare's South Downs, the musical version of American Psycho alongside Matt Smith, and in King Lear at the Chichester Festival Theatre opposite Sir Ian McKellen.

5. He felt 'starstruck' while starring in BBC comedy W1A

Jonathan played Jack Patterson for three series BBC comedy W1A about the inner workings of the BBC. Speaking in 2017 he says he was in awe of all the famous faces cropping up during filming as well as starring with regulars in the series such as Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes and Monica Dolan. "I was starstruck all the time," he says. "There were so many brilliant actors at the top of their game."

6. If Jonathan wasn’t an actor he’d love to be a primary school teacher

"I think all teachers are basically modern-day heroes," Jonathan says. "And I love going to see my niece in her nativities at school. I always think they're just so sweet and lovely. Watching the next generation of Baileys grow up, you just realise how informative those years are and I think being a part of that is pretty special."

7. He auditioned for the part of Anthony Bridgerton in 2018, while appearing in stage musical Company in London's West End

"I got offered the Bridgerton job on my 31st birthday, 25 April 2019," Jonathan recalls. He's now a worldwide star! 

8. Jonathan did ballet until he was 12

Jonathan says: "I remember having Velcro trainers and just squeaking in at the back and trying to do some pliés. I stopped dancing aged 12 because of the inevitable narrative, peer pressure."

9. His first crush was Anita in the 1990s show Heartbreak High, played by Lara Cox

"It could possibly be niche to some people, but the soundtrack to Heartbreak High is sort of etched in my mind. Yeah, she was everything to me. And if not Anita then Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. Just the whole idea of wanting to be on shore with Prince Eric is pretty dreamy!’

10. The most romantic thing anyone’s done for Jonathan is run him a bath!

Jonathan says: "I think somebody just sitting while you have your bath and having a chat is pretty mega. Put the toilet seat down and just be there while you bathe. It’s really sweet and brilliant and, you know, you’re naked. I think that’s really romantic!"

11. His first job was stirring vats of lemon curd

"I worked on the lemon curd line at the local honey factory, every summer and Christmas holidays at school," Jonathan says. "There’s something about having to open up a piping hot vat of lemon curd to check the temperature at 5am that really spurs you on and makes you think about doing something more creative. It was groundbreaking in that it made me realise that I never want to see or have lemon curd ever again!"

12. Jonathan thinks his Broadchurch character Olly Stevens is a 'dick'

In hit ITV crime drama Broadchurch (2013 to 2015) Jonathan played reporter Olly Stevens who worked on the Broadchurch Echo. He was the nephew of detective Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman). But Jonathan didn't particularly like Olly as a character, describing him as a "a bit of a dick!"

"He represents a generation where everything is immediate, whereas his boss is from the old school of journalism," he told Metro. "It's funny because the actress who plays her, Carolyn Pickles, can do shorthand in real life, like you. It shows the real separation between the generations."

13. Jonathan stars in a racy West End stage play with Taron Egerton

In early 2022, Jonathan stars alongside Taron Egerton (Rocketman, Kingsman, Eddie The Eagle) in a play called Cock. It follows a gay couple whose relationship suffers when one man questions his sexuality as he meets the girl of his dreams. Jade Anouka and former EastEnders star Phil Daniels also star in Cock at London's Ambassador's Theatre.

Jonathan plays John who identifies as gay but meets a woman he is attracted to. Taron plays Jonathan's boyfriend, M. Jonathan admitted that his nan, who looks at everything he's planning to do, was most supportive. "She said it was provocative and hilarious. So we're good to go!" 

14. He's joined the cast of muscial movie Wicked

Jonathan will be a major cast member of the long-awaited musical adaptation Wicked, based on the successful Broadway and West End theater show. He's set to play Fiyero in the two-part Wicked movie adaptation so will be starring alongside the likes of Cynthia Arivo and Ariana Grande. The two-part movie series Wicked is slated to arrive in 2024.

Director Jon M Chu has confirmed that Jonathan us taking on the role viaTwitter: "He's perfect, they're perfect. They'd be perfect together. Born to be forever….. I am too excited to pretend this hasn't been happening. We have a Fiyero!"

Jonathan Bailey's Fact File

When was Jonathan Bailey born?  Jonathan was born on 25 April 1988.

Is Jonathan Bailey married? No

Does Jonathan Bailey have children?  No 

Is Jonathan Bailey single? He's not talked about whether he's dating currently or not.

How tall is Jonathan Bailey?  He is 5ft 11in (180.3 cm)

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the most recent article update.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills brought even more drama in this week's episode.

Still in Aspen, Colorado, the ladies of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 12 brought the heat to the snowy conditions. In episode 18, at least some of the drama was focused on an unexpected source: Kathy Hilton.

After a questionable, booze-filled night for Erika Jayne, she decided to pack up her stuff at Kyle Richards’ house and bunk up with Diana Jenkins at a hotel. Now the group was broken up into three groups: Kyle, Lisa Rinna and Kathy at Kyle’s home; Sutton Stracke, Garcelle Beauvais, Crystal Kung Minkoff and Sheree Zampino at the rented house; and Dorit Kemsley, Erika and Diana at the hotel.

Kyle took the women (minus Dorit, Erika and Diana) to Kemo Sabe, an upscale western wear store, to design their own hats. There’s a bar on the premises, so margaritas all around with a side of salt… and an argument. “Kyle, they have my tequila,” Kathy said, referring to the spirits brand, Casa Del Sol, she invested in. When Lisa went to get a drink, however, she asked to get a little shot of 818 Tequila. “I just want to try it cause it’s my friend, Kendall Jenner, tequila, so I just haven’t tried it,” she said. “Come on. I cannot ****ing believe what she just said,” Kathy said as she looked on.

Kathy was visibly upset that Lisa was calling out another brand when she knew that she’s been trying to promote her own. Kathy brought up her feelings in a whisper to Kyle and then to Sutton and Garcelle, but said she didn’t want to make a big issue out of it. Part of her frustration came from the fact that her sister didn’t say anything to Lisa about it. Kathy was so mad that she ended up leaving the store without saying goodbye to Kyle.

After some shopping, Dorit, Erika and Diana headed to a restaurant for food and drinks. Dorit stepped out to call Kyle and let her know that she wouldn’t be joining them at the hat store. “Erika doesn’t want to go and I feel too bad leaving her,” she said, referencing the heated argument Kyle and Erika got into the previous evening. Kyle went on to make it clear to Dorit that she would be really hurt if Dorit didn’t show up to Kemo Sabe. Between Erika leaving her home, Kathy being upset with her and now Dorit not showing up, Kyle has had her feelings hurt this trip.

Lisa decided to head over to Dorit, Erika and Diana in an effort to bring the group back together. “Here’s what I want to propose, and I think this is what we need tonight, to go and all of us sit together and we talk calmly about how…” Lisa started. Basically, she wanted everyone to have the opportunity to say what they wanted to say. What could possibly go wrong?

The women were getting ready for their last night in Aspen, which would consist of going out to a country western bar. Dorit arrived at Kyle’s home beforehand to talk, but Kyle was still in the midst of tears. “I don’t want to be in the middle. I’m not choosing sides,” Dorit said. “You put yourself in the middle though,” Kyle replied. Lisa joined the conversation and asked if they could put a pin in it since they had to leave for dinner. Then Kyle’s husband, Mauricio Umansky, stepped in to try to mend the argument between these two family-like friends. After a little pep talk, he was able to facilitate a hug and help them see what’s important.

At Silver City Mountain Saloon, all of the ladies — and we mean all of them — came together for the final night. Kyle approached Erika at the bar when she arrived. In all honesty, their conversation could have gone better, and it was clear that the two didn’t completely see eye-to-eye. However, they hugged it out and made up.

To end their time in Aspen, Kyle brought the group to one more bar. What happened inside? Something. Lisa texted Erika at 12:14 am: “I got in a sprinter with Kathy And she had an absolutely melt down I’ve never heard or seen anything like it in my life.” It was followed by: “Anger screaming throwing things crying. Im locked in my room.” And finally: “The hatred that just came out of her towards her sister… im speechless.” At 12:53 am, Kathy texted Lisa: “Silence is golden. I am staying silent,” followed by heart emojis.

We’re officially on the edge of our seats, Bravo.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 12 continues Wednesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on Bravo and Peacock in the US.

In the UK, new episodes can be streamed on Hayu and are available to Sky TV and NOW customers one day after they air on Peacock.

Hannah Dodd is very excited to be joining the Bridgerton cast.

Earlier this year, we learned that Anatomy of a Scandal star Hannah Dodd would be joining the cast of Bridgerton season 3. She's being brought in to replace Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton, the second youngest daughter of the family.

Speaking to TV Line, Hannah has now revealed how happy she is to be joining the cast of the hit Netflix drama. 

"I'm so excited", she said, "Everybody's been so lovely. I just want to do a good job." 

Hannah went on to say that she's already read the majority of Julia Quinn's novels. She began with Francesca's story "because I didn't know what I'd got myself in for, but I needed to read that as soon as possible. It's such a beautiful book and she's such a beautiful character. I can't really believe that I get to play her.

"I know how people feel about her as well, so I'm going to do my best", she said.

As has already been revealed, the third season of the much-loved Netflix period drama is set to focus on the budding romance between Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). Hannah Dodd has also explained that she is just as excited as the fans to see their love story taking center stage in series 3.

"I really enjoyed Colin and Penelope's story, so I am really looking forward to seeing how that pans out in our version", she added.

Filming on Bridgerton season 3 got underway in July. We learned that some other new faces were joining the cast at that time: Stay Close star Daniel Francis has joined as Marcus Anderson, a charismatic, attention-grabbing addition to the show who is set to turn the heads of some of the ton's matriarchs.

The Crown's Sam Phillips has also joined as Lord Debling, a wealthy lord who is expected to attract plenty of interest from multiple suitors, whilst James Phoon (Wreck) has joined as Harry Dankworth, a man who makes up for his lack of intelligence with his dashing good looks.

The first two seasons of Bridgerton are now available to stream on Netflix.

Bridgerton season 3 is officially on the way as filming has kicked off in central London. 

The hit Netflix show has already aired Bridgerton season 1 and Bridgerton season 2, but now the much-anticipated third season is underway, this time focusing on the love story of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). 

After overhearing Colin's disparaging words about her at the end of season 2, Penelope was left heartbroken. But is there still hope that she can find love with Colin in Bridgerton season 3? 

The official Netflix statement says: "Penelope Featherington has decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters. But lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly."

However, it seems Colin has found himself a whole new lease of life as the new season begins: "Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder.

"Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly."

Sadly it looks like Penelope and Eloise aren't going to patch up their friendship any time soon... "Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret."

There are also some new faces joining the Bridgerton cast. Daniel Francis (Stay Close) has taken on the role of Marcus Anderson, a "charismatic presence who lights up any room he enters, attracting the notice of certain matriarchs in the ton — and the ire of others."

Sam Phillips (The Crown) will play Lord Debling, a "genial lord with unusual interests. But with wealth and a noble title to back up his eccentricities, he'll have no shortage of interest from young ladies this season."

While James Phoon (Wreck) has been cast as Harry Dankworth. Netflix says: "What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence, he more than makes up for with seriously good looks."

Bridgerton season one and two are available to stream on Netflix now. 

Whether it will be the last hurrah for a show that we all love or the possibility of discovering a brand new one that will become a favorite, these are the new TV shows for 2022 that we have our eyes on.

We’ve broken them down by release date, with those we’re still waiting to hear when they’re going to launch grouped together as "coming soon." Read on to see what you might be adding to your ever-growing watch list.

January

black-ish final season

When to watch: the finale episode of black-ish has aired.
Where to watch: ABC; ABC.com or Hulu on-demand, the next day. When black-ish season 8 arrives in the U.K., it is likely to be available to stream on Disney Plus.
Why you should watch: the Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis-Ross-led black-ish is giving its curtain call. The long-running sitcom set out to tell the story of a black family working to establish a sense of cultural identity in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. It has done so with many memorable episodes that dealt with tough but important issues. Willing to bet there will be a few more as they close out this eighth season.

Euphoria season 2

When to watch: season has concluded
Where to watch: HBO; streaming on HBO Max anytime. Airing on Sky and Now in the UK
Why you should watch: the teen drama starring Zendaya (who won an Emmy for her performance), was an instant hit when its first season premiered in 2019, depicting the life for a group of high schoolers as they grapple with drugs, sex and violence.  Now, after a long wait, fans can finally pick back up with the characters from East Highland with season 2.

This Is Us final season

When to watch: the This Is Us series finale has aired.
Where to watch: Peacock or Hulu on-demand. Streaming on Prime Video and Disney Plus in the UK
Why you should watch: This Is Us, with its fantastic ensemble and tear-inducing moments, is coming to an end. Having told the story of the Pearson family in the past and present, This Is Us has been known to big audiences to tears (in a good way). Have the tissue box handy as the final episodes are sure to bring out all the feels.

How I Met Your Father

When to watch: All episodes are out in the US and UK.
Where to watch: Hulu in the US; Disney Plus in the UK.
Why you should watch: How I Met Your Mother was a beloved sitcom (despite fans not being overly pleased with the ending) from the late 2000s and early 2010s. How I Met Your Father looks to recapture that magic for a new audience with new characters but the same basic premise, this time telling the story of Sophie (Hilary Duff) and her close-knit group of friends as they figure out their personal and love lives in New York City.

Ozark final season

When to watch: all episodes of the final season are now available.
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: the Byrde family is back for one more season (if broken in to two parts). Ozark is about a financial advisor who is forced to move his family to the Missouri Ozarks to launder money for a drug bossAll the main cast of the Emmy-winning series — Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner — is back, and the stakes are higher than ever and not everyone may make it out alive.

The Gilded Age

When to watch: season has concluded
Where to watch: HBO; streaming on HBO Max. On Sky and Now in the UK
Why you should watch: Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, hopes to find similar success with this series set in late 19th century New York City and following as a young woman from a conservative family who attempts to infiltrate the world of a wealthy family. The Gilded Age stars the fantastic trio of Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald.

The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window

When to watch: premiered January 28
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: Kristen Bell helps send up the popular trend of mystery thrillers like The Girl on the Train and The Woman in the Window in this comedy miniseries. When a handsome neighbor moves in across the street, Anna a heartbroken, for whom, every day is the same, starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel. That is until she witnesses a gruesome murder. Or did she? This will be Bell’s most high profile TV role since The Good Place.

The Afterparty

When to watch: season has concluded
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus
Why you should watch: This comedy crime story revisits the scene of the crime at a high school reunion, with from different characters’ perspectives used to reexamine the case. Those characters are played by the likes of Tiffany Haddish, Dave Franco, Ilana Glazer, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Ike Barinholtz, Ben Schwartz and Jamie Demetriou.

February

Pam & Tommy

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Hulu; Disney Plus in the UK
Why you should watch: while the hook into the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy is the story about how the infamous Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape was shared to the public, the series will look at the famous couple’s whole relationship. Lily James and Sebastian Stan star.

Suspicion

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus
Why you should watch: Apple’s The Afterparty looks at the comedic side of the crime thriller, Suspicion is more of the traditional drama, following an American businesswoman (Uma Thurman) trying to find her kidnapped son and whose target falls on four seemingly ordinary British citizens. This could be the perfect kind of story to get swept up in when bundled inside this winter.

Inventing Anna

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: Shonda Rhimes is one of the most prolific producers for TV right now, but Inventing Anna, based on the true story of a fake heiress that stole from New York’s elite, will be the first show she has written since Scandal premiered. Any fans of the Queen of TV should have this one marked on their calendar. Julia Garner and Anna Chlumsky star.

Bel-Air

When to watch: all episodes of season 1 are now available.
Where to watch: Peacock. Airing on Sky and Now in the UK
Why you should watch: Bel-Air is not just a reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but an entire reimagining, as the story of the ‘90s sitcom is transformed into a modern-day drama, and the trailer certainly makes it look like they pulled the genre switch off. In case you need a reminder, Bel-Air tells the story of a Philadelphia kid who moves to the wealthy California neighborhood Bel-Air with his cousins after he gets into a brush with a gang. Newcomer Jabari Banks takes over Will Smith's role, who is also on board as an executive producer.

Law & Order

When to watch: season has conclucded
Where to watch: Peacock or Hulu on-demand
Why you should watch: after more than 11 years off the air, the original Law & Order is returning to NBC, with original series stars Sam Waterston and Anthony Anderson reprising their roles alongside some new cast members. The legendary procedural will once again depict the police and the prosecutors that deal with crime in New York City, with story often based on real events. With SVU and Organized Crime, Thursday will be Law & Order night on NBC.

Vikings: Valhalla

When to watch: All episodes are now available
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: a sequel series to the popular History Channel show Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla will take place 100 years later and depict the adventures of Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Hardrada and the Norman King William the Conqueror. The original Vikings was an epic, but just imagine how much bigger Vikings: Valhalla will be with Netflix footing the bill. The show was created by Die Hard and The Fugitive writer Jeb Stuart.

Peaky Blinders final season

When to watch: all episodes are now available in the US and UK
Where to watch: BBC/Netflix
Why you should watch: Peaky Blinders season 5 left off on a cliffhanger that has been driving fans of the series crazy for more than two years, but answers are finally coming as the early 20th century crime drama about the Shelby family heads into its final season. Created by Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders stars Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, the late Helen McCrory, Finn Cole, Natahsa O'Keefe, Sophie Rundle and Tom Hardy.

March

The Dropout

When to watch: All episodes are now available
Where to watch: Hulu in US, Disney Plus in UK
Why you should watch: Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of four federal offenses recently, and now you can learn more about her story with the Hulu original series The Dropout starring Amanda Seyfried. The series will chronicle Holmes' career as she drops out of college and tries to start a technology company to revolutionize the healthcare industry.

The Thing About Pam

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Peacock and Hulu on-demand
Why you should watch: two-time Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger stars in this broadcast drama series about the true 2011 murder case of Betsy Faria. The true story saw Ross Faria convicted of his wife Betsy's brutal murder, even though he insisted he did not kill her. The truth, however, ultimately lines with a woman named Pam Hupp (Zellweger). The Thing About Pam is the broadcast TV debut for Zellweger.

Atlanta season 3

When to watch: season 3 has concluded
Where to watch: FX and Hulu in US; Disney Plus in UK
Why you should watch: Atlanta is one of the most critically-acclaimed shows since it debuted in 2016, which has made the nearly four-year wait since its season 2 finale that much harder for fans. But the wait is finally over as Atlanta season 3 is coming and will find Earn, Paper Boi, Darius and Van in Europe.

Halo

When to watch: season 1 has concluded
Where to watch: Paramount Plus
Why you should watch: the popular video games series is getting the TV treatment in what should be a massive space adventure, as viewers will be transported to the distant future where humanity is fighting off an alien invasion. Pablo Schreiber, Natascha McElhone, Yerin Ah and Bookem Woodbine headline the cast, while fans of video game are sure to be thrilled that Jen Taylor is reprising the voice of Cortana from the games.

Bridgerton season 2

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: Bridgerton set the TV world on fire when it debuted in the winter of 2020, showcasing the wealth, lust and betrayal of the Bridgerton family in Regency-era England. Though season 1 star Regé-Jean Page will not be in this new season, anticipation is palpable for the drama to pick up once again and introduces a new character, Kate Sharma, played by Simone Ashley. Season 1 stars Phoebe Dynevor and Jonathan Bailey are set to return.

Moon Knight

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Why you should watch: the Marvel series on Disney Plus have been a whole lot of fun as they expand the Marvel universe in exciting ways. In Moon Knight, we get introduced to a brand new hero who will be played by Oscar Isaac. The show is about a former US marine who is given the powers of an Egyptian moon god, but he soon realizes this powers are both a gift and a curse. Ethan Hawke also stars. 

Julia

When to watch: season 1 has concluded
Where to watch: HBO Max; Sky Atlantic and Now TV in the UK
Why you should watch: Julia Childs is one of the most famous cooking personalities ever, and her life’s story and how she helped introduce French cooking to America is the subject of this new HBO Max original series. Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley, Everybody's Talking About Jamie) stars as Julia Child alongside David Hyde Pierce (Fraiser) as Paul Child.

April

The First Lady

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: available on Paramount Plus in the US and UK.
Why you should watch: there have been plenty of TV shows and movies about some of our most influential presidents, but now their better halves are getting the spotlight in The First Lady. Depicted in this anthology series will be Michelle Obama (Viola Davis), Laura Bush (Kathleen Garrett), Nancy Reagan (Kylie Delre), Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Eleanor Roosevely (Gillian Anderson).

Better Call Saul final season

When to watch: part 1 episodes have aired, part 2 begins on July 11
Where to watch: AMC/AMC Plus. Netflix in the UK. Past seasons of Better Call Saul are on Netflix in both US and UK.
Why you should watch: the Breaking Bad spinoff has earned legions of fans in its own right as it tells the origin story of slimeball lawyer Saul Goodman (nee Jimmy McGill), played by Bob Odenkirk. The journey for a character that was almost a caricature in Breaking Bad has been surprisingly tragic and poetic. The story will come to the end with this final season, which consists of 13 episodes airing in two parts.

Gaslit

When to watch: all episodes are available
Where to watch: Starz and Starplayz
Why you should watch: Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Dan Stevens, Patton Oswalt and more star in this look at the untold stories and forgotten characters of the Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon. Even 50 years on Watergate remains one of the most interesting points in American history filled with entertaining tidbits, enough for two shows (see below).

The Shining Girls

When to watch: all episodes now available
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus
Why you should watch: this sci-fi crime series sees a serial killer in 1930s Chicago discover a time-traveling device — you can imagine the mess that will follow... Phillipa Soo, Amy Brenneman, Jamie Bell and Elisabeth Moss star in the series based on the novel by Lauren Beukes.

May

Conversation With Friends

When to watch: all episodes now available
Where to watch: Hulu in the US; BBC Three in the UK
Why you should watch: Normal People, an adaptation of the Sally Rooney novel, swept up viewers in 2020. Now the author’s debut novel, Conversations with Friends, is also making its way to TV. This story follows two Dublin college students and the strange connection they forge with a married couple, with Joe Alwyn, Jemima Kirke, Sasha Lane and Alison Oliver on board to lead the series.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

When to watch: all episodes now available
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Why you should watch: Ewan McGregor reprises his role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in this new Star Wars original series that takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, when the Jedi master exiled himself to Tatooine. Can this prove to be as big a hit as The Mandalorian? It will certainly help that, in addition to McGregor, Hayden Christensen will return as Darth Vader, with additional cast including Joel Edgerton, Kumail Nanjiani, Moses Ingram, Rupert Friend and Benny Safdie.

Stranger Things season 4

When to watch: all episodes now available
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: Stranger Things is one of the biggest TV shows of recent memory, as it blends fantastic sci-fi and horror thrills with a boat load of '80s pop culture nostalgia. Having seen the young cast grow up as they battle the mysterious forces of the Upside Down, this upcoming season — the series' penultimate — is sure to be the biggest one yet.

The Time Traveler's Wife

When to watch: all episodes now available
Where to watch: HBO; streaming on HBO Max. Sky and Now TV in the UK.
Why you should watch: The Time Traveler’s Wife was previously made into a movie in 2009, but it didn’t receive the warmest of receptions. This TV adaptation will give fans of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel another chance to see the love story between a woman and a man who has a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel play out. Rose Leslie and Theo James are playing the central couple this time. 

June

Ms. Marvel

When to watch: currently airing
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Why you should watch: another entry into Disney Plus’ Marvel originals is Ms. Marvel, which will introduce the titular hero, Marvel’s first Muslim superhero, played by newcomer Iman Vellani. This will be the first appearance of the polymorphus superhero, but the show could very well lead into The Marvels, the Captain Marvel sequel, in which Vellani's character is set to appear.

Queer as Folk

When to watch: all episodes are now available
Where to watch: Peacock
Why you should watch: Based on the UK series of the same name from 1999, this is the second US adaptation of Queer as Folk, which will focus on a group of club-going friends who find support in the gay community following a tragedy. This new series stars Devin Way, Fin Argusand, Jesse James Keitel, with Juliette Lewis, Kim Cattrall and Ed Begley Jr. as recurring characters.

August

The Sandman

When to watch: August 5
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: Based on Neil Gaiman’s popular DC Comics character, The Sandman has been in development for a long time but is finally making its way to fans, with Tom Sturridge leading an impressive cast that includes David Thewlis, Patton Oswalt, Gwendoline Christie and Stephen Fry. The story centers on Dream, the personification of dreams, as he escapes a decades long imprisonment and sets out to reclaim his lost equipment.

House of the Dragon

When to watch: August 21 in the US, August 22 in UK.
Where to watch: HBO; streaming on HBO Max; Sky and Now TV in the UK.
Why you should watch: the first Game of Thrones spinoff will look to remind fans what they loved about the original epic series (George R.R. Martin has given his early vote of confidence). The series takes place a few hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones and puts the Targaryen front and center. Matt Smith, Paddy Considine and Olivia Cooke headline the new series.

She-Hulk

When to watch: August 22
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Why you should watch: Mark Ruffalo won’t be the only one who gets angry in the MCU anymore — Tatiana Maslany joins the expanded universe as Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk. Ruffalo will also star in the original series, which will be the first Hulk stand-alone project from Marvel since The Incredible Hulk in 2008.

September

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

When to watch: September 2
Where to watch: Prime Video
Why you should watch: The Lord of the Rings comes to TV, as this premiere season — reportedly the most expensive TV season ever made — will transport viewers to the second age of Middle Earth, a time period never before shown on screen, as a new evil is emerging. The Lord of the Rings movies (and of course the original books) are absolutely beloved, and fans will once again get the delight to see J.R.R. Tolkien's world manifest on screen in a new and exciting story.

Coming Soon

His Dark Materials final season

When to watch: TBD
Where to watch: HBO; streaming on HBO Max. BBC One has aired previous seasons of His Dark Materials in the U.K.
Why you should watch: HBO’s fantasy series His Dark Materials, based on the series of books by Philip Pullman, is ready for its final season. The books tell the story of a young girl destined to liberate the world from a group that represses people's ties to magic. This season is based on the third book in Pullman's series, The Amber Spyglass. Dafne Keen, Amir Wilson, Ruth Wilson, Simone Kirby, Ruta Gedmintas, Will Keen and James McAvoy are all  returning. It is sure to be an epic conclusion. 

Interview with the Vampire

When to watch: Fall 2022
Where to watch: AMC and streaming on AMC Plus.
Why you should watch: Based on Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles series (previously a movie starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst), Interview with the Vampire sees vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac tell his life story on how he became a vampire. Game of Thrones star Jacob Anderson will star as Louis, while Sam Reid (Belle, The Newsreader) will star as his vampire companion Lestat.

Monarch

When to watch: premieres September 11
Where to watch: Fox. No details on a UK premiere yet.
Why you should watch: Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel lead the cast for this country music drama that is reminiscent of another Fox hit series, the long-running Empire. Monarch tells the story of the Romans family, who have created a country music dynasty. But when their reign is put in jeopardy, who will step up to protect the family? Originally set for a Jan. 30 premiere, Monarch has been pushed to the fall because of COVID-related production delays.

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

When to watch: TBD
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: For whatever reason, we as a viewing culture are obsessed with true crime stories and this year we’ll be getting one of the biggest of them all in the story of Jeffrey Dahmer. Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Crime Story) is behind the series, with Evan Peters (Mare of Easttown, WandaVision) on board as Dahmer.

Wednesday

When to watch: TBD
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: So many enjoy their time with the Addams family, but this new series will focus primarily on Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) during her formative school years. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán also star as Morticia and Gomez Addams, while Tim Burton is directing.

The White House Plumbers

When to watch: TBD
Where to watch: HBO; streaming on HBO Max. Sky and Now TV in the U.K.
Why you should watch: The second Watergate-themed series expected in 2022, The White House Plumbers tells the story of E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy and how their missteps destroyed the presidency they were trying to protect. Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Lena Headey and Kathleen Turner are set to star.

The Witcher: Blood Origin

When to watch: TBD
Where to watch: Netflix
Why you should watch: The Witcher has proven to be a big hit for Netflix, and now the streamer is expanding the world of the show. The prequel series, which is being written by The Witcher scribe Declan De Bara, will tell the origins of the very first witcher and stars Michelle Yeoh.

Gentle reader, it saddens us greatly to share that former Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page has shut down rumors that he’s returning to the ton in the show’s upcoming third season. Page made the news Instagram official when he recently met up with fellow Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey. 

"The boys are back in town," Page wrote in the caption of an image featuring him walking along a street with Bailey. "(No, I’m not going back to the show [by the way] — the papers made that one up.) But we had the best, and most stylish, catch up I’ve had in a while over some truly excellent Italian coffee and sunshine." He punctuated the statement with a coffee cup emoji. 

Bridgerton fans have long hoped that Page would return to the role of the Duke of Hastings after his standout performance in the show’s freshman season. When The Sun reported that a return was imminent for Bridgerton season 3, the whispered hopes became a media storm. Clearly, though, the news was not to be. 

The show follows the exploits of the Bridgerton family and is based on the bestselling Regency novels by Julia Quinn. Each book — and subsequently each season of the series — follows the story of one family member’s search for love. It’s easy to bring the family back together in the books, but having a whole cast available for brief appearances in the series is a whole other matter.

Showrunner Shonda Rhimes told Variety that the team tried to bring Page back for more, but he’d always planned to do one season. "Rightfully, he said, ‘I signed up to do this one lovely story, this closed-ended storyline. I’m good!’ And I don’t blame him for that. I think that he was really smart to leave the perfection as the perfection."

Bridgerton’s second season, Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) explained the Duke’s absence by referring to his decision to stay home with the couple’s baby. The explanation was easy enough to digest, but there’s no question that the Duke’s presence will be missed as more of Phoebe’s siblings get married. 

While Page effectively shut down rumors of his return to the show, it’s worth noting that he seems to have an open invitation to return to the ton if he so chooses. At the moment he’s been making movies, including the upcoming Netflix film The Gray Man and the fantasy film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Page return to Bridgerton in a surprise cameo appearance at some point. Never say never, right?

Bridgerton favorite Regé-Jean Page, who played Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings in season one of the hit Regency drama, is reportedly in talks to return for Bridgerton season 3.

His character became a global phenomenon after Bridgerton season one, which focused on the Duke of Hastings’ love story with Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), which became a huge hit with fans.

Sadly, Regé-Jean did not return to Bridgerton season two, which told the story of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma’s (Simone Ashley) blossoming love.

Since then, fans have been desperate for Regé-Jean to make his comeback to the show and now their wish might come true if these rumors are anything to go by.

Netflix is rumored to be in early talks with the star about returning to Bridgerton season 3, which will explore Penelope Featherington’s (Nicola Coughlan) secret love for Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

A source apparently told The Sun: “Regé-Jean was always very open about his intention to quit the show after the first season and to move on to other projects.

“But recently there has been a dialogue between him and the show’s bosses.

"Nothing has been formally agreed yet, but watch this space.”

The source allegedly added: “Things are very up in the air at the moment, but this will be an exciting year for Regé, without a doubt.”

Since his exit, Regé-Jean has gone on to narrate Netflix nature documentary Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale and is due to star alongside the likes of Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling in the upcoming heist thriller The Gray Man as Denny Carmichael.

Regé-Jean is also one of the favorites to play infamous super-spy James Bond.

Although Regé-Jean has downplayed rumors that he was in the running to be the next James Bond in the past, he's still one of the favorites to play the role after Daniel Craig. 

One of Page's upcoming projects might well be a great test to see if he's got what it takes to be the next James Bond. He's set to follow in the footsteps of the third Bond, Sir Roger Moore, and star as Simon Templar in a reboot of the British spy thriller series, The Saint. 

Bridgerton seasons 1-2 are available to watch on Netflix.

Two of the world’s biggest TV shows, Bridgerton and Euphoria collided this weekend as two of the main stars were spotted hanging out at the Monaco Grand Prix. 

Simone Ashley, who plays Kate Sharma in Bridgerton season 2 and Jacob Elordi, who plays Nate Jacobs in Euphoria were seen together at the major racing event in Monte Carlo.

The pair posed together outside the Red Bull Racing garage alongside the CEO of Tag Heuer, Frédéric Arnault but it wasn't just Bridgerton and Euphoria stars enjoying the day. Another huge star was also there in the shape of Grey’s Anatomy fan-favorite Patrick Dempsey, who is famously known for playing surgeon Derek Shepherd, commonly referred to as ‘McDreamy’ in the popular medical drama.

Simone, Jacob and Patrick weren’t the only mega stars to attend the lavish event, with supermodel Naomi Campbell also making an appearance to support her friend, Lewis Hamilton as well as Game of Thrones couple Kit Harington and Rose Leslie.

After appearing in another Netflix hit, Sex Education, Simone has become a huge household name after playing Kate in Bridgerton.

The second season saw Kate fall in love and marry the viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and their relationship was a huge hit with Bridgerton fans.

Now, much to the joy of fans, she’s set to return to Bridgerton season 3.

Talking exclusively with Deadline, she said: "We're going to be back! Kate and Anthony are just getting started. We have the amazing Jess Brownell who is taking the lead as showrunner in season 3. In season 2, there was a lot of push and pull between Kate and Anthony, there were complications with the family, and then they find each other towards the end. 

"I'd like to see Kate just let go a bit more and play more in season 3 and kind of swim in that circle of love together. I think they both deserve it," she added.

Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix.

Euphoria seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on HBO and NOW TV.