Bridgerton Season 3: Unprecedented Book Adaptations Ahead (Prepare to Be Amazed!)

Warning! SPOILERS about the Bridgerton books ahead.

Summary

Bridgerton season 3 will take a significant departure from the original books, incorporating alterations made in earlier seasons to introduce exciting and innovative storylines.

The departure of certain cast members, including Phoebe Dynevor's portrayal of Daphne, adds to the divergence between the adaptation and Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, enabling a shift in focus towards other characters.

The TV show's structure, which incorporates multiple storylines and genres, enhances the narrative and keeps viewers engaged, even if it means altering the timing and roles of certain characters compared to the books.

While Seasons 1 and 2 of Netflix's Bridgerton introduced diverse original stories and made numerous changes from Julia Quinn's novels, Bridgerton season 3's storyline has the potential to be the most divergent from the books thus far. Despite the usual focus in Quinn's books on the romantic journey of a single Bridgerton sibling, the show has departed from this format in order to further develop other characters and introduce their own unique storylines.

Bridgerton Season 3 Will Deviate Heavily From The Books

Bridgerton season 1 subtly alluded to the weight Anthony bore as the bearer of the esteemed Bridgerton name. His primary concern revolved around tarnishing his family's esteemed reputation and making unfavorable choices. Similarly, in Bridgerton season 2, Colin's desire to uncover his true purpose was frequently hinted at. A significant narrative in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, the fourth book of the Bridgerton series, prominently features Colin's envy towards Penelope's role as Lady Whistledown, partly due to his own lack of direction. Nevertheless, although these modifications may seem minor, they foreshadow the main storylines and have already propelled the protagonists into vastly contrasting circumstances early on in their respective seasons.

The revelation in Bridgerton season 2 that Anthony had paid for Benedict’s place at the academy deeply affected Benedict's confidence as an artist. This led to a pivotal scene at the end where Benedict abandons his art studio and supplies. While this development could add depth to his storyline, it presents a challenge in terms of timing. Given Colin's storyline taking precedence and suggesting a potential time jump, Benedict's role will need a complete overhaul. This is because he is already married to Sophie and assisting his siblings in their quest for love in the events of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.

Similarly, the altercation between Penelope and Eloise after Eloise's discovery of her friend's involvement in Lady Whistledown's scandalous writings has created a rift between them. Although Eloise was already somewhat distant from Penelope in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton due to her clandestine correspondence with Sir Phillip, she was not enraged to the extent of completely severing ties with Penelope. Interestingly, the reason behind their quarrel may intensify Eloise's opposition to Penelope and Colin's courtship, not because she fears being left alone as portrayed in the books, but because she perceives Penelope's actions as a betrayal.

Cast Exits Have Made Bridgerton Even More Separate From The Books

Daphne's absence in the third season of Bridgerton could potentially impact the divergence between the adaptation and the book, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Although not central to the story after The Duke & I, Daphne commonly returns to aid her siblings and provide guidance. In the fourth Bridgerton book, Colin turns to her for advice on deciphering the true nature of love. By reintroducing Daphne in an unexpected manner, Bridgerton can shift its focus to other characters whose narratives have been overlooked thus far. This allows for the exploration of individuals like Francesca, who may also assist Colin on his journey.

Why Bridgerton Season 3 Changing The Books Is A Good Thing

Bridgerton season 3 can enhance the narrative of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by building upon the changes introduced in the previous seasons. By incorporating new elements, the series remains fresh and engaging. In seasons 1 and 2, Queen Charlotte's interference added complexity to the central couples' stories, shifting the focus away from just the Bridgertons and the Bassets in season 1 and the Sharmas in season 2. Additionally, the introduction of Theo Sharpe allowed for a deeper exploration of Eloise's character, revealing hidden aspects that will be further explored in her future story.

Similarly, the emphasis on Genevieve Delacroix's profession not only shed light on the different social classes in the world of the Bridgertons, which was not extensively explored in the books, but also offered insight into Penelope's involvement in Lady Whistledown's distribution process. This provided a unique perspective that was later revealed in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. By featuring two female entrepreneurs and integrating an original character like Genevieve into the main characters' narratives, Bridgerton was able to keep the story updated for viewers familiar with the books and also captivate those new to the series, avoiding the risk of focusing solely on one couple and potentially limiting the storyline.

The Bridgerton books, known for their strong association with the romance genre, narrow their focus exclusively to each couple's story, which doesn't lend itself well to an ensemble TV show like Bridgerton. However, by allowing the characters' narratives to unfold naturally across multiple seasons, Bridgerton effectively maintains the viewers' attention on all of them, contributing to the show's overall enjoyment. This approach enables the inclusion of various genres alongside romance, thereby enhancing the storyline. While this structure may result in some characters' stories commencing earlier or later than in the original Bridgerton books, it ultimately enriches the narrative and makes it exceptionally suited for television.