‘Bridgerton’ season 3 deviates from books for Penelope, Colin

Move over Bridgertons, it’s time for Miss Featherington to shine.

Season 3 of Bridgerton focuses on Penelope Featherington’s love story with her crush Colin Bridgerton, deviating from the order of Julia Quinn’s book series.

Nicola Coughlan – who plays Penelope and Lady Whistledown, for those unfamiliar with “The Ton” – revealed her character will be next to find love during an appearance on Netflix’s FYSEE panel on Sunday.

“Like Lady Whistledown, I’ve kept a secret for quite some time and I can confirm to you all that season 3 is Colin and Penelope’s love story,” said Coughlan, 35. “I’ve kept this secret for two weeks into season 2. This is the first time I say it here.”

She also posted on Instagram about “#Polin,” the nickname fans affectionately call the couple.

“I love Polin,” said Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton. “There is so much love in this relationship. Which brings its pressure because there are people who are really excited for this story to come to the fore. But it also warms me a lot.”

As fans know, Penelope was secretly in love with Colin, the third oldest Bridgerton and brother of her best friend Eloise, but was heartbroken when she heard him say he would never consider her for marriage.

“If they end up getting together, she’ll have to stop idolizing him so much,” Coughlan told TV Insider in April. “She thinks he’s perfect. In her eyes, he can do no wrong. So she needs to start seeing him as a real person and not this perfect boy. The playing field definitely needs to be leveled for the two to ever have a relationship. Well, let’s hope that will happen.”

In Quinn’s books, Benedict Bridgerton, who will likely have his day after Penelope in a later season, was next in line for romance.

The first season focused on courting Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and fan-favorite, the spirited Duke of Hastings (Regé-Page Jean). While the first iteration was packed with sex and nudity, season 2 was decidedly more tame while showcasing the relationship between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathon Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley).

Showrunner Shonda Rhimes has previously hinted that while each Bridgerton will have their day, it may not come in the exact books order.

“There are 8 Bridgerton siblings, so there are eight books. We definitely plan on following each of their romantic stories,” she said said Entertainment Tonight March. “We don’t necessarily go in order. But we will see each of the siblings and their story.”