Nicola Coughlan just announced Bridgerton season 3’s big storyline (and it’s a surprise, Dear Reader)

“Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn’t know him at all.

“Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?”

We officially can’t wait. The show’s official Instagram account has also hinted at the new storyline with a post from Lady Whistledown herself that goes: “Dearest Readers, It is only fair that in this author’s third year chronicling their marriage mart, Mayfair’s social season should find its focus on a third son… as well as a third daughter.

“This author can confirm that the upcoming season shall follow none other than the budding relationship between Mr. Colin Bridgerton and one Miss Penelope Featherington. With Penelope’s days as a wallflower wearing thin, will she finally take bloom? Time will tell, and as always, so will this author. Yours Truly, Lady Whistledown.”

Who’s in the cast for Bridgerton season 3?

We don’t have much details on new faces yet, but we’re hoping all the main cast (minus Regé-Jean Page, who has already left the show) will be back in the ‘ton.

One thing is for sure: Kanthony will definitely be returning, as Simone Ashley confirmed that she and Jonathan Bailey will be appearing in Bridgerton season three and season four.

“We’re going to be back! Kate and Anthony are just getting started,” Ashley said at a dinner celebrating South Asian culture hosted by Netflix this week, according to Deadline. 

Ashley continued, “We have the amazing Jess Brownell who is taking the lead as showrunner in season three. In season two, 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 think everything is just starting. I’d like to see Kate just let go a bit more and play more in season three and kind of swim in that circle of love together. I think they both deserve it.”

After marrying Anthony, Kate is now the Viscountess, and Ashley said that we’ll get to see her thrive in this new role. “She’s in charge of the household now and she’s got big boots to put on. I think she can do it,” she said. “I want to keep that softness and vulnerability to Kate, for sure, and she can share that with Anthony. I’m just excited for her to have a home and to have a family. I’m excited to see her grow. I think I’d like to see Kate being much braver and less headstrong and more heart strong.”

In the books, Kate and Anthony have four children; their first, Edmund, is born a year after they marry. Perhaps we’ll see Kate and Anthony as parents in future seasons? No, your heart just exploded. 

What’s the Bridgerton season 3 release date and can I watch a trailer?

As you’ve probably guessed, season three is still some time away. So, nope, too early for a release date and trailer for the next series just yet… however, once we get the slightest hint of intel, you’ll be the first to know.