James Phoon, Nicola Coughlan, Bessie Carter, Lorn Macdonald, and Harriet Cains in Out of the Shadows (2024)

‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Trailer Synopsis and Reactions

Josh Lezmi
By Josh Lezmi
James Phoon, Nicola Coughlan, Bessie Carter, Lorn Macdonald, and Harriet Cains in Out of the Shadows (2024) | IMDb
Josh Lezmi
By Josh Lezmi
James Phoon, Nicola Coughlan, Bessie Carter, Lorn Macdonald, and Harriet Cains in Out of the Shadows (2024) | IMDb

Who will seize the heart of Penelope Featherington? Will the mind behind Lady Whisteldown find love, and will it be with a man who, for so long, has friend-zoned himself?

The season 3 trailer opens with Julie Andrew’s sophisticated and soothing voice, as she beckons us in with, “Dearest gentle reader, we have been apart for far too long. At last, London’s fashionable set has made its return, and it seems that our bon ton is moving with the changing tide…so too is this author.” 

Flash to Penelope noting that she can no longer live at home and must find herself a husband. We then see Colin scoop up a handkerchief and kiss a woman’s hand as he stares into her eyes with sexual ferocity. Everyone looks on. How could that be cutie-turned-hearthrob Colin Bridgerton? What is happening? Wait! No! It’s not Penelope! Then the trailer gives us a glimpse of a shirtless Colin riding in a horse and carriage (these creators know what the people want), as his siblings ask when he got “so sturdy?” 

Before we know it, Penelope is disclosing to Colin that she isn’t lucky to be as “noticed” as he is in the ton, and he agrees — handshake and all — to help her find a hubby. But there is so much chemistry in the meeting of their hands and eyes. So much longing in the subtle brush of their fingertips. Then Penelope agrees that they are, indeed, “friends” and takes him up on his offer. 

He takes her out on the town as she struggles to flirt with a comical degree of forced feminity and precociousness. He looks at her with disbelief. She worries she is a lost cause. Yet, with each reassurance — each meeting of their hands and eyes — Colin is filled with questions as expressions of regret and longing crawl across his face. We see him sit in the darkness clearly pondering what he yearns for, as his family seems shocked at the possibility that their childhood dynamic has maybe blossomed into something more.

Will jealousy strike when Colin’s efforts come to fruition? When Penelope emerges in a beautiful green gown, hair styled for the gods, and lipstick perfectly sculpting her lips, will he come to regret her closeness as no more than friendship? What happens when another man takes an interest? Colin asks his mother if she believes the best foundation for love is friendship…What will happen between these two? What will happen when this wallflower behind the mysterious Lady Whistledown blooms?

Bridgerton fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions to the trailer: 

Umm, who are these two kidding?

Her heels were made for walking…all over the ton!

Cue the tears

Dream sequence alert! Get ready for some heat. 

We can’t with these besties yearning to be lovers!

A perfect match to the books

The first four episodes of Bridgerton season 3 will be available for streaming on Netflix on May 14, 2024 (the remaining four will drop on June 13, 2024).

Josh is an entertainment writer and editor at Thought Catalog.