It’s time to dig out the corsets and ready those pin curls
BY KATIE KIRKPATRICK, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
Dearest Reader,
Rumour has it our favourite regency gals have returned to the ton to start filming season three of Bridgerton!
It’s time to dig out the corsets and ready those pin curls: this week a short video was shared on the Bridgerton Instagram account of the cast on set, holding up three fingers to the camera to announce that filming has begun.
The previous two seasons of the show broke Netflix records, with viewers falling head over heels for Bridgerton’s steamy romances and juicy enemies-to-lovers plotlines. Season two starred Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey as Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton, and was widely praised for being more diverse than the previous season. The series also took TikTok by storm last year due to The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, which went on to win a Grammy and will be performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
The upcoming season will centre on the relationship between the already much-loved characters Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton), as well as featuring three brand new additions to the cast. James Phoon will play Harry Dankworth, Lord Debling will be played by Sam Phillips, alongside Daniel Francis as Marcus Anderson. All three appear to be potential love interests for the ladies of the ton. Hannah Dodd will also be replacing Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton.
For some, though, the confirmation of a relationship between Penelope and Colin will come as a disappointment. Throughout the show’s two seasons, queer viewers have seen huge potential for a romantic relationship between Penelope and her best friend, the sharp, sarcastic Eloise (Claudia Jessie). With the last season ending with a dramatic betrayal and falling out for the pair, it really could have been the perfect setup for the series’ trademark enemies-to-lovers arc. Penelope and Eloise have been the best of friends, while also portrayed as very different people, the former anxious and sweet and the latter smart and rebellious. Eloise, in particular, has been described by many as extremely queer-coded, from her disapproval of societal expectations placed on women to her haircut.
LGBTQI fans of Bridgerton have long been clamouring for more queer relationships on the show – we too want to enjoy its smouldering slow-burns and orchestra-accompanied sexual tension. The only queer relationship in the show thus far has been season one’s gay painter moment, hinting that there could be an LGBTQI plot in store for Benedict Bridgerton. But this is yet to happen, with the middle Bridgerton brother having a female love interest in the second season, and we are yet to see any sapphic romance at all.
make someone on bridgerton a lesbian ah begggg!! eloise is so obviously there. perfect season three pitch for you
— Emily Aboud (@emilyaboudetc) March 28, 2022
Whilst the characters of Bridgerton are pretty straight, the cast is less so. Season one leading man Jonathan Bailey is openly gay, as is Golda Rosheuvel who plays Queen Charlotte.
Were Bridgerton to introduce a queer relationship, not only would it be the talk of the ton, but it would also join a recent rise in queer historical TV. Dickinson has recently brought sapphic poet Emily Dickinson to life on screen, whilst “the gay pirate show” Our Flag Means Death has proved a huge success and fan favourite. We’re burning to see more.
It would be interesting to see how Bridgerton would handle the reality of being queer in the regency period: the show is known for the way it exists outside of racism, leaving us to wonder whether homophobia would be removed as well. Season one’s brief gay moment suggests not, but this would have to be explored a lot more if any major queer relationships were included.
People who are like “no gays in Bridgerton it’s not historically accurate!” I just want to know, when do you think gay people were invented??? Was it like the lightbulb?
— spider-fran 🕸 / ♥️+⚡️ (@FranPan) March 17, 2021
Season three is expected to air some time in 2023, and we can’t wait for the lords and ladies of Bridgerton to grace our screens once again. A fourth season has already been confirmed as well, so only time will tell if the series opens up its world of steamy romance to queer characters in future.
Yours truly,
DIVA
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