Julia Quinn Reveals the Challenge of Crafting Colin and Penelope's Story in 'Bridgerton'

Bridgerton Author Julia Quinn Explains Why Colin and Penelopes Book Was Hardest to Plot

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Fans are captivated by Colin and Penelope's on-screen romance in Bridgerton, while author Julia Quinn reflects on developing their relationship in the book. "I find it most thrilling that this season focuses on two characters we are already familiar with," Quinn, 54, shared with the New York Post on Thursday, May 16.

Season 3 of Bridgerton, featuring Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), is based on Quinn’s novel Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Quinn initially found it challenging to bring the fictional relationship to life in the book before it was adapted for Netflix.

“When I was writing the books, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, which is actually the fourth in the series, was the hardest one to plot,” Quinn mentioned. She also pointed out that there was a different level of emotional investment involved in adapting the story for the screen.

Quinn mentioned that Colin and Penelope were already well-established characters before becoming the focus of the story. She explained that typically she introduces one existing character and shapes the other to fit the plot. In this case, it was challenging to create a storyline that worked for both characters given their established backgrounds and experiences.

The young adult series features a different protagonist in each book, following the romantic pursuits of the Bridgerton family members in 19th century London.

Bridgerton Author Julia Quinn Explains Why Colin and Penelopes Book Was Hardest to Plot

Liam Daniel/Netflix

In 2020, Bridgerton was created for Netflix, focusing on Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset in the first season. Season 2 shifted the spotlight to Daphne's brother Anthony Bridgerton and his quest for love with Kate Sharma.

Author Quinn expressed confidence in the series, stating, "I never doubted its success due to the incredible production values. It fulfilled a desire for onscreen romance that many people were seeking, filling a gap in television."

While she had high hopes for the adaptation, Bridgerton becoming a household name still took Quinn by “surprise.”

Bridgerton Author Julia Quinn Explains Why Colin and Penelopes Book Was Hardest to Plot

Julia Quinn, the author of "Bridgerton," expressed her surprise at the immense success of the series. She mentioned that the show exceeded everyone's expectations in a positive way. Quinn believes that "Bridgerton" can be seen as a great example of adaptation because each season does not strictly adhere to the books. There are changes made in the plot to keep things fresh and engaging.

Quinn shared his thoughts on the characters in Bridgerton, stating that they stay true to themselves throughout the whole season. He also praised the main conflict as being realistic and well-executed.

The first half of Bridgerton season 3 can now be watched on Netflix. The rest of the episodes will be released on Thursday, June 13.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the challenges and triumphs of adapting Julia Quinn's beloved Bridgerton novels into the captivating Netflix series. Quinn reflects on the complexities of developing the relationship between Colin and Penelope, highlighting the unique challenges of crafting a storyline that respects their established characters. Despite the difficulties, Quinn expresses confidence in the adaptation, praising the show's production values and its ability to fulfill a yearning for on-screen romance.

The article also sheds light on the author's surprise at the immense success of the series, which surpassed her expectations. Quinn emphasizes the adaptation's ability to deviate from the books while maintaining the integrity of the characters and storylines. She commends the showrunners for striking a delicate balance between faithfulness to the source material and creative freedom. Overall, the article provides insights into the creative process behind Bridgerton, showcasing the collaboration between author and screenwriters to bring a beloved literary world to life on the small screen.