Simone Ashley reveals that Bridgerton season three plot will focus on Colin and Penelope—but fans are confused

Naturally the Bridgerton season three plot has been at the forefront of fans' minds for the past few weeks after most of us having binged Bridgerton season two in a matter of days. And with the news that Bridgerton has been confirmed for seasons three and four, fans have been theorizing over what the next instalment of the hit regency series will involve—with the help of the Bridgerton books. However, some have been left very confused after Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma) has hinted that the season three plot will focus on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington…

If you’re a fan of Julia Quinn’s books, you will know that so far the Netflix adaptation has followed the key characters from the corresponding novels. 

The first book The Duke and I and first season followed Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Bassett’s story, while the second series was based on The Viscount Who Loved Me (the second book in the series), which is all about eldest sibling Anthony Bridgerton and his love Kate Sharma.

Following this logic, the third instalment should be based on An Offer From A Gentlemen, which is about Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson in the TV adaptation) and his love interest *spoiler* Sophie. However, Ashley has hinted that the series will actually revolve around Colin and Pen—which wouldn’t be the first major difference between the Bridgerton books vs the series.

In an interview with People, she said: “I think we're passing the baton to Nicola and Luke, I'm so excited for them to perform their love story and to see what they've got up their sleeves. I think they're going to smash it out of the park.”

This news has understandably left some die-hard book fans disappointed, as Colin and Penelope’s love story is not actually covered until the fourth book ‘Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.’

What do fans think of the Bridgerton season three plot rumors?

One Benedict stan tweeted: “ohhhh nooo is it true that season 3 is supposed to be about Collin and Penelope??? I really wanted it to be about Benedict and Sophie” 

While another added: “A lot of fans are saying season 3 will focus on Colin and Penelope but I was really hoping it would focus on Benedict. I love Benedict and wanted to see where they'll go with his story."

With a third saying: “they can't have benedict just doing nothing in s3 without him having HIS romance that season. He doesn't have his art anymore???? like GIVE ME BENOPHIE IN SEASON 3 OR ELSE, BRIDGERTON” 

It does make sense that the showrunner Shonda Rhimes may choose to swap the order of the couples, considering season two’s ending—where Colin and Penelope’s relationship was left unresolved. Sadly this will mean a long wait for Benedict fans to see his romantic entanglements—but that doesn't mean we can’t talk about it...

Who does Benedict marry in the Bridgerton books? 

According to Benedict’s story An Offer From A Gentlemen, he marries Sophie Beckett, whom he meets at a masked ball.

Sophie’s story is very reminiscent of Cinderella, as she is described as the illegitimate daughter of Earl Richard Gunningworth, who dies, leaving her to serve his wife and daughters. She then meets Benedict and the rest is history.

However, there is definitely scope for this to change, as Thompson has discussed the possibility of exploring Benedict's sexuality in later series. Take Eloise Bridgerton’s story for example—she is actually supposed to end up with Sir Philip Crane (Marina’s husband) but instead, we have been introduced to a brand new love interest—Theo Sharpe.

Thompson told Entertainment Weekly: “Benedict has such a lovely openness and fluidity about him generally, and that’s really, really fun to play because it could go anywhere.

“Obviously, there’s a way to go, so we’ll see what happens with Benedict, but we’re only on season two, so there’s lots of space for him to explore all sorts of things”

There is yet to be official confirmation about the season three plot, so fans will have to wait and see!