Unveiling the Transformation: Penelope's Journey to the Forefront in 'Bridgerton' Season 3

If you've ever felt like a secondary character in your own romance novel, or experienced the sting of unrequited love, it's time to finally join the "Bridgerton" bandwagon as the hit Netflix series returns with its most relatable love story yet.

Following the success of its second season, which saw the electrifying "will they, won't they" love story of Viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) – dubbed "Kanthony" by frenzied fans – the spotlight has shifted to two familiar characters poised for their turn in the spotlight: Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).

The much-anticipated sequel of the Regency-era romantic drama is finally putting the spotlight on the two beloved characters, much to the delight of "Polin" supporters. Since the series premiered in 2020, fans have eagerly anticipated the moment when Penelope's unrequited love for Colin would be addressed. With a twist from Julia Quinn's novels, viewers will finally witness the resolution they have been yearning for.

In the previous season, the duo left fans on edge as Colin unintentionally hurt Penelope by expressing his disinterest in courting her to his social circle. This incident created a rift between them, setting the stage for the emotional tension that will unfold in the upcoming season.

In a recent interview with CNN, Coughlan mentioned that when you first meet them, both individuals are wearing masks. They believe that they have to pretend to be someone else in order to feel accepted and loved, and to find a compatible partner.

The transition from being friends to becoming something more is a journey that requires both individuals to be open and honest with each other.

The new season kicks off with Colin returning home after a summer of traveling. He's sporting a fresh new look and is suddenly catching the attention of the ladies. Meanwhile, Penelope is on a mission to find a husband as a way to break free from her family home, where her mother and newly-wedded sisters reign supreme.

This season brings a message of hope, suggesting that even someone as shy as Penelope can come into her own. With a bit of a transformation, Penelope sheds her citrus-colored dresses and awkward hairstyles for a more elegant and sophisticated appearance.

She's not interested in romance or love, only in finding a practical husband. However, she has not worked on herself, so the transformation does not truly solve anything," Coughlan explained.

In a surprising turn of events, Colin becomes Penelope's mentor, guiding her through the complexities of courtship. This strategy proves successful as Penelope catches the eye of Lord Debling (Sam Phillips), a new character introduced in the series.

Colin feels jealous when he sees others in love. In the new trailer, he asks his mother, "Is friendship the key to love?" Fans of the show may shout "YES" at their screens, but Coughlan stresses that the characters need to learn to love themselves before they can be together.

(From left) Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in "Bridgerton."

(From left) Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in "Bridgerton."

Liam Daniel/Netflix

"There’s a clear theme running through the story with Colin and Pen, as they both learn to love themselves," Coughlan mentioned with a hint of embarrassment. "It may sound cheesy, but it's incredibly important. Their true growth happens when they embrace who they are."

Newton added, "Having known each other for a long time, they are aware of each other's vulnerabilities. It's about accepting the real person instead of idealizing a false image of them."

Newton, the main love interest of this season, acknowledged feeling some pressure but expressed his excitement in carrying on the legacy of past characters like Bailey and Season 1's Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset while also adding his own unique interpretation to the role.

Reflecting on his four years in the role, Newton shared that he felt confident in portraying Colin. He highlighted Colin's distinctive traits such as sensitivity and empathy towards other characters, which set him apart from previous male leads.

After working together for four years, Coughlan and Newton were thrilled to become series leads. They found that their strong bond and open communication helped them naturally "unlock" their chemistry, which was crucial when filming the romantic scenes in "Bridgerton."

Coughlan admitted that she was very nervous in the lead up to the event. However, once they got started, they felt a sense of control over their actions. Reflecting on the experience, she found it to be really enjoyable and watching the recordings, she thinks they turned out beautifully.

The pair, on the other hand, feel uneasy about giving dating advice. They both emphasized that they do not have the qualifications to provide modern-day advice (asking for a friend). However, they believe that at the end of the day, Colin, Penelope, and all of us are just human.

Coughlan reminded me that it's okay to have a crush, but it's important not to put them on a pedestal.

The third season of "Bridgerton" will premiere on Netflix with Part 1 on May 16 and Part 2 on June 13.

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