Coughlan reminisces about feeling at ease while watching the couples from the first two seasons perform, as the main pressure wasn’t on her yet. “As supporting actors, you can go, ‘I\u2019ll do my little bit but it doesn\u2019t really matter because the main story is over there,'” she shared with Reuters.<\/p>\n
However, that changed when she and Newton stepped forward as the leading couple for the third season of the Emmy-nominated show. “For us to then go into being the main story, I think it overwhelms us still,” expressed the Irish actress.<\/p>\n
“Bridgerton,” developed by Shonda Rhimes\u2019 television production company Shondaland and Netflix, follows the romantic escapades of the Bridgerton family as they navigate London\u2019s cutthroat marriage market. Set in the early 1800s, the narrative delves into the scandals and triumphs of the social season as young nobility seek love.<\/p>\n
Season 3, debuting on the streaming platform on Thursday, focuses on the highly anticipated friends-to-lovers romantic journey between characters Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, portrayed by Coughlan and Newton.<\/p>\n
“The friends-to-lovers trope, I think a lot of people resonate with that and have experienced that,” stated Newton. “I think that’s why people are really passionate and excited for the season,” he added.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the show\u2019s new showrunner for Season 3, Jess Brownell, believes that the romance between Colin and Pen is a major draw for viewers this time around. “Because it’s a friends-to-lovers story, it naturally lends itself to a bit more humor, lightness, playfulness, and familiarity,” noted Brownell, who follows in series creator Chris Van Dusen\u2019s footsteps.<\/p>\n
“I think that humor especially is something that really speaks to both Nicola and Luke\u2019s strength.” While the book series the show is based on by author Julia Quinn features a different love story before getting to Pen and Colin\u2019s, Brownell felt that TV audiences would appreciate a unique chronological order.<\/p>\n
“Pen and Colin have been on our screens now for two seasons. We know them and we care about them,” Brownell expressed. “It felt like it was time to break out of the pattern of Colin being in the dark about Pen’s feelings for him. We wanted to twist things in a different direction and make him work for Pen’s affections,” she added.<\/p>\n