Everything we know so far about 'Bridgerton' season 3

"Bridgerton" season three will focus on the romance between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan)

While previous seasons of the hit Netflix show have followed the "Bridgerton" books by Julia Quinn in order, season three will skip ahead to the fourth book, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton."

In the book, Colin tries to win over Penelope after she has lost her crush on him and discovers her secret identity as the gossip writer Lady Whistledown.

Coughlan made the announcement in May during Netflix's FYSEE exhibition according to Deadline.

"Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time and I can confirm to you all that season three is Colin and Penelope's love story," Coughlan said. "I have kept that secret since two weeks into season two. This is the first time I am saying it here."

Netflix has revealed the plot summary for the third season. In the upcoming episodes, Penelope will be moving on from her crush after Colin mocked her at the end of season two.

"Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after hearing his disparaging words about her last season," the plot summary reads. "She has, however, decided it's time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters. But lacking in confidence, Penelope's attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly."

Colin attempts to help Penelope as a friend to find a husband thus creating a situation where their romance can bloom.

"Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he's disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder," the summary continues. "Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly."

The Netflix plot summary explicitly states that season three will show the rest of the fallout between Penelope and Colin's sister, Eloise (Claudia Jessie).

At the end of season two, Eloise discovers that her best friend Penelope had been keeping the Lady Whistledown secret from her. This comes after Penelope publicly disgraces Eloise to save her from the Queen's (Golda Rosheuvel) persecution.

"Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope's growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret," the Netflix summary reads.

Jess Brownell, who has stepped up to be the new showrunner after Chris Van Dusen's departure, told Variety that Colin's older brother Benedict (Luke Thompson) will be a "vital part of season three."

In the book series, Benedict's love story comes before Colin's. However, season three might set the seeds for Benedict's eventual romance.

Brownell also confirmed that the series will not include Penelope's weight loss story from the books.

"We think that Penelope is beautiful, and I don't think it's really a part of her story," Brownell told Variety.

The showrunner told Variety that Colin's sister Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), his older brother Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), and his brother's wife Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) will return for the third season.

Regé-Jean Page, who starred as Daphne's lover and husband Simon Basset in season one, is adamant that he will not return to the show and told Variety that the show is free to recast him.

It was announced in May that Francesca Bridgerton had been recast for season three after Ruby Stokes left to lead another Netflix project. Hannah Dodd will be portraying the role in season three.

Ruth Gemmell, Will Tilston, and Florence Hunt are expected to return as Lady Violet Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton and Hyacinth Bridgerton, respectively.

Marcus Anderson, played by Daniel Francis, is described by Netflix as a "charismatic presence who lights up any room he enters, attracting the notice of certain matriarchs in the ton — and the ire of others."

Meanwhile, Sam Phillips will be playing Lord Debling, who is described as having "unusual interests."

Finally, James Phoon plays Harry Dankworth who is described as a Regency himbo: "What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence, he more than makes up for with serious good looks."

While it is not confirmed what role these characters will have in the plot, it is likely they could be Colin's rivals for Penelope's attention.

The "Bridgerton" cast has begun production for the third season, according to a short teaser shared on the show's official Twitter account.

It is not confirmed when the next season will air but it is likely to be in 2023.