Entertainment news sites posted their BRIDGERTON season three recaps and reviews with much haste, but I needed time to process before putting pencil to paper. I suppose if I was keeping with the theme I’d have used a quill.
If you’ve read any of my previous film/TV/theatre “reviews” then you won’t be surprised by my glass-half-full style. I choose to celebrate the pieces of work that inspire my appreciation instead of picking them apart in search of faults. The shows (or films) I write about on this platform are ones that moved me enough to share my enthusiasm with others. Such is the case with the third season of Netflix and Shondaland’s jewel, BRIDGERTON.
Based on Julia Quinn’s eight-book historical romance series, BRIDGERTON follows the love stories of the beloved Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. The first two TV seasons followed book one (Daphne’s story) and book two (Anthony’s), respectively, while season three chose to highlight Quinn’s fourth book in the series: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. This love story follows Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, the couple nicknamed “Polin”, as these two beloved characters go from friends to lovers.
Fans of both the books and the TV series adore “Polin”, and the lead up to season three made evident the admiration. I was one of many who attended the online event on Valentine’s Day, went to New York for the Promenade, and took a day off work for the season’s debut. I championed “Polin’s” season for many reasons (see earlier post) before its entrance into society and do so even more at its finale. While society awaits news as to which B sibling will lead season four, it’s a fitting time to celebrate the artists in front of and behind the camera who made “Polin’s” season such a memorable one.
Decision Makers
When it’s time to promote a television series, those who grace the screen typically make the press rounds. However, no TV show would be possible without the producers, showrunners, writers, and directors – to list but a few of the creative artists behind the camera. They are tasked with making decisions that impact what viewers will ultimately see. Their names are many and yet special recognition must be given to Jess Brownell for taking on the carriage reins of season three as showrunner. She guided the series forward from the work of creator Chris Van Dusen’s first two seasons, and that is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. Bravo on a job well done, and I look forward to what’s to come.
Given that a novel and television series are two different mediums, changes are to be expected when translated from page to screen. This holds true for all three seasons of the series so far. However, BRIDGERTON’s behind-the-scenes team did an excellent job honoring key aspects of “Polin’s” love story from the novel while crafting TV that keeps you intrigued. By splitting the season into two parts, with a one-month gap in between, they built anticipation and garnered excitement for what was still to come.
Setting the Scene
We tend to expect period dramas to feature hair, makeup, costume, and production design at their finest. Sometimes they stand out so significantly that it detracts from the story, tone, or performances. That is not the situation with BRIDGERTON’s third season – just the opposite, in fact. The talented artists excel in the above fields because they blend fantasy, magic, and artistry. They accentuate the scene and the characters who inhabit the world without detracting from it.
Penelope’s journey this season originates from a desire to gain control over her own life. In doing so, her appearance changes to reflect a woman learning to love herself. The new hairstyles framed her face beautifully while the gowns flattered her figure instead of hiding it. The hair, makeup, and costume teams enhanced the beauty already there, thus letting Penelope’s beauty shimmer both inside and out.
Part of BRIDGERTON’S majestic tone stems from the talented artists behind the scenes. They are artists painting the canvas that the actors then get to bring to life. The costume design team weaved elegance, vivid color, and bold statements into each finished piece of attire while the creative hairstylists added an extra level of excellence with pieces that keep the viewers all abuzz (there were spinning swans)! Makeup artists tend to get overlooked unless they are completely changing an actor’s appearance; however, it is in the smallest of details that makeup artists thrive. The subtle, nuanced decisions like changing Nicola’s makeup to softer shades this season to reflect a more grownup Penelope, for example.
Last, but certainly not least, the production designers excel at blending the historical and fantasy elements of the BRIDGERTON world. The welcoming blue tones of the Bridgerton family drawing room, the vibrant colors in the Featherington home, or the closed-in design of the Cowper household are as alive as the characters who play within their walls.
Cast of Characters
This cast…they are exquisite! Whether they grace the screen for most of the season or mere moments, they leave an indelible mark on the BRIDGERTON world. In the third season, viewers were treated to expansive storylines featuring characters we’ve come to love (The Mondrichs, Featheringtons, Lady Danbury, and Genevieve) and those whose backstory makes it less easy to hate them (*cough* Cressida *cough*). The actors embody their characters in such a way that they are more than caricatures or Regency stereotypes. They are navigating this world, trying to figure out where they fit in (or even if they want to). I, for one, am excited for their journeys to continue in season four!
To Hate or Not to Hate
Cressida Cowper can be mean, petty, vindictive, and outright cruel – easy to label her as a “bully” and pay her little heed. However, thanks to brilliant writers, Cressida’s story expanded this season to explore the whys behind her actions. Special mention is due to the actor who portrays this former (and perhaps current) antagonist: Jessica Madsen. Madsen gave Cressida depth, revealed vulnerability, and unleashed spitefulness when needed. Thus, viewers could not easily cast her aside. I can’t wait to find out what she’s been up to when season four graces my screen!
FAMILY
Ah, siblings! They can be your best friend, worst enemy, or a combination of the two. It can be challenging to be seen and heard amongst siblings that stand out, and this season showcases just that. Colin and Penelope have very different sibling experiences, yet each are integral to their development as characters. The Bridgerton and Featherington siblings provide levity and lightedheartedness but also highlight the importance of navigating your own path. These pivotal relationships are such due to the immense talent of the cast, who portray characters searching for their own place in the world amid family dynamics that often pull you back in.
The Bridgerton siblings tease, interfere, nudge, and poke one another with love always at the heart of the matter. The cast make these interactions look effortless, creating a family bond that centers the series. The Featherington sisters could’ve easily become objects of frivolity and silliness if not for the deft handling of their portrayers – Harriet Cains (Philippa) and Bessie Carter (Prudence). These two characters are catty but vulnerable, ridiculous and clever, cruel and kind. Their dimension adds layers to not only their individual characters but the entire family dynamic.
At the head of each family are mamas different in demeanor yet equally devoted to their families. Polly Walker (Portia Featherington) and Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton) showcase depth of range in these roles. They give authenticity, complexity, and vulnerability to two women raising their children in a judgmental, male-dominated society. Now that their families are forever linked, I’m excited to see how these two fierce mamas fare in the seasons ahead.
Viewers care about the Bridgerton and Featherington families precisely because the actors portray them with such a range of talent.
LUKE AND NICOLA
To bring two of Julia Quinn’s fan favorites to life requires actors who can easily move through drama and comedy; artists who embody awkwardly adorable and confidently passionate with equal ease. Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan embody all the above and more. They infused charm, humor, vulnerability, and love from the start of season one and navigated their respective characters’ journeys with seamless ease. This season required them to run the gamut of emotions within eight short episodes: love (unrequited and passionate), jealousy, longing, self-doubt, confidence, anger, hurt, pride, and more – with all focus on them for most of the season.
Luke and Nicola have brilliant on-screen chemistry (important for a romance) but more importantly they have allowed their characters to be vulnerable together. Viewers care about “Polin” as a romantic duo because we are invested in Penelope and Colin as individuals first. As Luke and Nicola grew with these beloved characters, it made “Polin’s” journey even more engrossing. It is precisely because this pairing is grounded in friendship that viewers waited with anticipation between parts one and two to discover whether the foundation would hold when truth seeps through the cracks.
These two talented actors are deserving of all the fanfare they’ve received, and I love that they shared the press bombardment together. They showed up across the globe with grace and humor, handling the onslaught of fame as a unit. May their respective stars keep shining on and off the screen.
BRIDGERTON’s third season not only met my expectations but exceeded them spectacularly! I appreciate all the talented, hardworking artists in front of and behind the camera who played any part in bringing “Polin’s” story to life. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
**DISCLAIMER: No endorsement by anyone associated with BRIDERTON, NETFLIX, SHONDALAND, or CVD PRODUCTIONS is implied!**
An Entertaining Idea 