Bridgerton Season 2: How The Ending Sets Up Season 3

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Bridgerton season 2!

Bridgerton season 2 sets up a series of exciting storylines for the Ton in season 3. After a second season that made a lot of changes from Julia Quinn’s book The Viscount Who Loved Me, Bridgerton seems to be focusing on telling its own story, while still taking inspiration from the original books. Season 2 follows Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the eldest of the Bridgerton siblings, and his love triangle with the Sharma sisters Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina (Charithra Chandran). It also follows Eloise Bridgerton during her debut into society, and her quest to uncover the truth about Lady Whistledown.

For the series, Kate and Edwina’s family name is Sharma, instead of Sheffield as it is in the book. The Sharmas are an Indian family, which continues Bridgerton‘s tradition of creating a diverse Regency-era London and recalls England’s colonial history with India. Kate inadvertently becomes Anthony’s love interest, though she initially views him as a rake and he initially courts her younger sister. Meanwhile, Eloise, played by Claudia Jessie, becomes a reluctant debutante and confides in Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) that her search for Lady Whistledown has led her to a print shop where she meets a young man, Theo Sharpe (Calam Lynch), who she likes despite the class differences between them.

There are big changes ahead for the Bridgerton siblings, after season 2. Along with the romance between Kate and Anthony leading to a new Viscountess Bridgerton being named, Eloise, Benedict, and Colin all have their own new triumphs and scandals to consider. So, what does season 2 set up for Bridgerton season 3? Here’s what might be coming, considering the plots of the books in the Bridgerton series.

Anthony and Kate’s Marriage and Relationship

Season 2 changes a lot about Kate and Anthony’s courtship and marriage from The Viscount Who Loved Me, but at the end of the season, they are married and very much in love. Their marriage means that Kate is the new Viscountess, which also means there will be a new dynamic in the Bridgerton household next season. Unlike Simon’s absence in Bridgerton season 2, Kate should be returning in the third season. She is technically going to be the new lady of the household, which means that she should be a part of anything that happens with the entire Bridgerton family. The couple also has children in the books, which could become a storyline for them in Bridgerton season 3. Before they are married, Kate never mentions wanting to get married, let alone have children of her own. Anthony is very intent on having children for the sake of carrying on the Bridgerton name and having an heir, so it could be interesting to see whether or not the newlyweds’ positions on children align.

Benedict Bridgerton

Played by Luke Thompson, Benedict is the focus of An Offer From A Gentleman, the third book in the series. In Bridgerton season 1, Benedict’s friendship with Henry Granville led him to explore the art world, and also gave the impression that Benedict is potentially bisexual. In season 2, however, his interest is more in a young woman named Tessa who is a nude model for his art class at the Royal School. Benedict is accepted to the Royal School’s art program, but when he finds out that Anthony donated a large sum to the school to get him in, he decides to drop out, believing that he didn’t earn his spot.

According to showrunner Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton season 3 won’t necessarily follow the books, so next season won’t necessarily be based on the plot of An Offer From A Gentleman. In this entry to the Bridgerton book series, Benedict meets a young woman named Sophie Beckett, who is the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood and is working as a maid. The book is a Cinderella story, complete with an evil stepmother, and with Benedict in the role of “prince charming.” While that may not be the story used for season 3, it does provide insight into what might be next for Benedict’s personal character arc within the show itself. At the end of season 2, however, he is still figuring out who he is, and his story is perhaps rightfully left open for Bridgerton season 3.

Colin Bridgerton

Colin (Luke Newton) returns from his travels in Bridgerton season 2, having grown up a bit from season 1. While initially, he is still interested in Marina (Ruby Barker), the girl who broke his heart in season 1, he also becomes more interested in business and trying to establish himself in season 2. Colin’s friendship with Penelope becomes stronger, though he inadvertently breaks her heart when she overhears him telling some of the other young men that he would never think of courting her. In the books, eventually, Penelope and Colin fall in love and get married, though it takes a while for Colin to realize that he loves her.

In season 2, Colin uncovers the new Lord Featherington’s plot to take investments for his non-existent ruby mines in America and threatens the man to leave the Featherington women alone, putting himself in the role of protector. Though Colin and Penelope’s romance isn’t until Romancing Mister Bridgerton, book four in the series, the Netflix series seems to be adapting that storyline already. In the book, Colin doesn’t return from his travels until he’s 33, and Penelope is a 28-year-old spinster. By bringing Colin home already, Bridgerton season 3 could be preparing to tell Colin’s love story with Penelope. Especially with Penelope’s identity as Lady Whistledown being discovered, in season 2, by Eloise.

Eloise Bridgerton

Eloise has her debut into society in Bridgerton season 2. She doesn’t at all seem interested in courtship or balls, and becomes disillusioned with Lady Whistledown’s scandal sheet, believing that a woman could be using her voice to do more than just comment on gossip and scandals. This prompts her to search for Lady Whistledown, which leads her to a print shop where she meets a young worker and writer named Theo Sharpe. She becomes interested in Theo, not just because she is attracted to him, but because he introduces her to the world of women’s rights. Theo is Eloise’s first romantic interest, but he is not from the books. He is a new character created for the Netflix series, and though she tells him she can’t see him anymore in season 2, he could become more of a love interest for her in the upcoming season 3.

However, Eloise also has to contend with the scandal of Lady Whistledown calling her a political radical, damaging the Bridgerton family’s reputation, and has to deal with the loss of her friendship with Penelope after discovering that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. If Bridgerton season 3 is going to give a romantic storyline to Colin and Penelope, that could create a big storm for Eloise. Still, Eloise’s interests in women’s rights could be interesting to explore, especially as Eloise is generally more concerned with her quest for knowledge than her search for a suitable match. In the books, Eloise ends up marrying Sir Phillip Crane after Marina dies, but if the series eventually decides to go in that direction, it likely won’t happen in season 3.

The Other Bridgertons

While nothing about the plot of Bridgerton season 3 has been confirmed, all eight of the Bridgerton siblings, as well as their mother Violet (Ruth Gemmel), are expected to return. Daphne and Simon remain a fan favorite couple from season 1, but Rege-Jean Page was noticeably absent from Bridgerton season 2. As for whether Simon will make an appearance in season 3, it appears this scenario is still unlikely. Rege-Jean Page was the breakout star from season one, and his schedule has filled up with film roles since. Still, viewers can expect to see Daphne make appearances, again, in season 3, though the focus will likely be on Benedict and Colin. Francesca Bridgerton, played by Ruby Stokes, is noticeably absent for much of season 2 as well, due to scheduling conflicts. However, as the third oldest daughter and sixth oldest Bridgerton sibling, she is likely to have a bigger role in season 3. Francesca’s love story is the focus of the book When He Was Wicked, which is the 6th Bridgerton book. Her story isn’t likely to be the focus of season 3, but as the third eldest Bridgerton daughter, her debut into society is imminent and the series is likely to introduce her more to the audiences, as well, in season 3.

The Featheringtons

Bridgerton season 2 ends in heartbreak for Penelope, after her Lady Whistledown persona ends up ruining her friendship with Eloise, and she then overhears Colin saying he would never court her. In season 3, she could start to see her wish to be with Colin come true. If the series borrows from the plot of Romancing Mister Bridgerton, that also suggests that Penelope isn’t quite done being Lady Whistledown. In that book, Colin finds out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown after he, too, mistakes Eloise for the gossip columnist. If she does continue to write her scandal sheet, however, it could make reconciling with Eloise difficult. Lady Featherington’s scheme to get Prudence married off to the new Lord Featherington backfires after she finds out that he is penniless and that his ruby mines are worthless. She proves to be more cunning than anyone expected after she helps him scam people into investing with him, and then expertly untangles herself from him after the scam is revealed by Colin. Though she is keeping some of the money from the scam, the Featheringtons’ financial situation will likely still be insecure in season 3. Lady Featherington’s scheming will likely continue, possibly searching for another wealthy man to attach one of her daughters to.

Though the direction of Bridgerton season 3 has not yet been revealed, it will likely be some combination of the third and fourth Bridgerton books, along with whatever new direction the series decides to take. Even though season 2 is filled with scandal for the Bridgerton family, the potential storylines from the book suggest that season 3 will be even more exciting.

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