Unveiling the Buzz Surrounding the ‘Bridgerton’ Staircase Moment Inspired by ‘She’s All That’

This article may contain spoilers for Bridgerton Season 3.

Dearest gentle reader…

Viewers have now had the chance to catch the first four episodes of the highly anticipated third season of Bridgerton. This season delves into the love story between Penelope Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton), affectionately known as #Polin on the internet.

After being hurt by Colin's hurtful words in Season 2, Penelope decides to find a husband. Believing that a makeover will improve her chances, she starts with her wardrobe. In the premiere episode, titled "Out of the Shadows," Penelope ditches her family's usual bright colors and opts for a more elegant look. When she enters the ball in a stunning emerald gown, all eyes are on her as she gracefully descends the staircase.

Showrunner Jess Brownell revealed that a particular scene in the season was inspired by the 1999 romantic comedy "She's All That." In the movie, the geeky protagonist Laney Boggs, portrayed by Rachael Leigh Cook, undergoes a makeover and descends the stairs to the song "Kiss Me" after swapping her glasses for high heels she struggles to walk in.

Brownell, speaking on Final Draft's "Write On" podcast, emphasized the importance of including a makeover scene in the season as a tribute to romantic comedies.

Romantic comedies have had the biggest influence on my writing style, shared Brownell. He mentioned John Hughes movies and "Can't Buy Me Love" with Patrick Dempsey as some of his favorites. The writing and producing team aimed to put a new twist on the typical rom-com storyline to steer clear of clichés.

In the writer's room, we discussed the issue with the makeover trope. It can send the wrong message that a woman only needs to change her appearance to be more appealing.

For "Bridgerton," the focus was on Penelope's internal transformation. The makeover was about her journey to discover confidence and embrace her true self.

This season, the references to rom-coms continued. In the past, the show focused on fake dating and enemies turning into lovers. However, this time around, the storyline revolves around two friends becoming romantic partners.

Colin steps in to assist Penelope in finding a husband by giving her advice. This results in some comical moments as she struggles to communicate with potential suitors. Things take a turn when Penelope catches the attention of Lord Debling (played by Sam Phillips), leading to a love triangle.

The show also introduces Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), the resident mean girl who serves as a rival to other characters in search of husbands. In Season 1, she threatened to spread a damaging story about Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Bassett, putting their reputations at risk.

This season, viewers get a glimpse of a more relatable side of Cressida as she struggles to find a husband in her third year, just like Penelope. If she doesn't secure a husband soon, her parents will take matters into their own hands.

"No mean girl is born a mean girl. Every mean girl has a story behind her behavior. In Cressida's case, we learn that she comes from a troubled home where her parents are not as loving as the Bridgertons or the Featheringtons," explained Brownell. "There is potential for her character to evolve and show growth."

The first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 3 are now ready to watch on Netflix. Part 2 of Bridgerton Season 3 will debut on June 13th.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the highly anticipated third season of Bridgerton, focusing on the love story between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. The showrunners have incorporated elements from classic romantic comedies, paying homage to the genre while avoiding clichés. Penelope's makeover serves as a symbol of her inner transformation, emphasizing confidence and self-acceptance. The season also introduces a more nuanced portrayal of Cressida Cowper, exploring the motivations behind her mean-spirited behavior. The article highlights the show's ability to blend familiar tropes with fresh perspectives, creating an engaging and compelling narrative.

The article also discusses the influence