As anticipation builds for the third installment of the wildly popular Regency-era romance series, Bridgerton, which is set to drop on May 16, executive producer Shonda Rhimes addresses fan questions about the forthcoming season’s tone and content. Following the relatively chaste Season 2 that chronicled the passionate yet restrained romance between Viscount Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and fiery Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), many are curious if Season 3 will recapture the steamy allure reminiscent of the show’s debut season.
Shonda Rhimes, speaking from the New York area, dismisses any simplistic comparisons between the seasons. “I don’t compare the seasons in that way and don’t think of Season 2 as chaste,” she asserts. “It was the story that was told. We’re doing these stories based on Julia Quinn’s eight Bridgerton novels and the romances are quite different.” Highlighting the diverse narratives within the Bridgerton universe, she elaborates, “Everyone’s life is not the same. The story of the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) in the first season was about virginity and sexuality and discovering all of those things. Season 2 was different and Season 3 has its own flavour as well. There’s some steam obviously (phew!), but it is based on the story.”
The spotlight in Season 3 is on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). Rhimes finds this change intriguing, noting, “In prior seasons, we were always introducing someone new. This time we already know the two people who are going to become a romantic couple. It is interesting to watch people who grew up on the show find each other.”
Much of Bridgerton’s charm lies in its breathtaking costumes, although Rhimes credits her producing partner for this particular aspect. “I don’t necessarily oversee the costumes,” says the 54-year-old writer-producer of hits like Grey’s Anatomy and Inventing Anna. “That’s my producing partner, Betsy Beers’ love and joy.” She assures fans that Season 3 will continue to dazzle, adding, “We have tried new things and some of it turned out extraordinary. I love that every costume you see on every background player everywhere, is bespoke. The detail and colour are incredible.”
The show is set in a racially integrated Regency period, featuring people of color in roles of influence, a decision Rhimes describes as both intentional and essential. “We created this world. We made a rule that I don’t write or am part of shows that I am not represented in. We made a world based on the idea that Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) was a woman of color.”
Another element that has set Bridgerton apart is its use of classical arrangements of modern pop anthems. Rhimes sees this as a brilliant fusion that enhances the storytelling. “It’s been great to do that. We wanted to stay true to a classical feeling and also find ways to give the show a modern edge. That’s been going on since the very first season.” She appreciates how this approach makes the music relatable while also providing a fresh, narrative-driven listening experience.
Reflecting on ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,’ a spinoff that launched in 2023, Rhimes shares the motivation behind it. “In Bridgerton, Charlotte is this powerful woman who is running this world that she’s in the midst of, with a sad, personal story. I wanted to tell the story of how she came to be Queen Charlotte, how she fell in love with King George and what that marriage has been like, what that spark had been.” She adds that the series provides a deeper understanding of other characters as well, such as Lady Danbury. “You get a clear picture of who Lady Danbury is when you watch Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Now you are coming to Season 3 with this very different knowledge of these two women and it shapes how you look at the season and those characters now.”
A key theme in ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ is the exploration of mental illness, particularly through the lens of King George’s struggles. “We are telling the story of Queen Charlotte and King George and you can’t tell that story without speaking of King George’s illness,” says Rhimes. She aims to present characters with depth and empathy, “I believe in stepping into the shoes of the characters and talking about them in three-dimensional ways and that was the goal with Queen Charlotte.”
Rhimes teases an exciting moment in Season 3 that captivated her. “It is a spoiler that I’m not supposed to say (laughs). Watching Penelope going through this journey is fascinating. Nicola’s work as that character is incredible. Watching that character come into her own and develop into who she is, is beautiful. Her storyline is one of my favorites.”
Casting choices have also been pivotal to Bridgerton’s success. Rhimes describes the selection process as meticulous but ultimately rewarding. “We looked at a lot of people during the casting. We didn’t have a problem putting these characters together. We had an embarrassment of riches, so many actors to choose from. Each one of these actors was picked because they were exactly right for the part.”
Reflecting on her extensive television career, Rhimes notes the differences between creating shows for network television and streaming platforms. “I’ve done both. When I was writing for network television, I was writing for single-episode drops. When I am writing for streaming I’m not. It’s just a different way of looking at how you tell a story.” In network television, the imperative is to keep audiences coming back week after week. In contrast, the binge model employed by streaming platforms focuses on telling a complete story divided into episodes, with the primary aim being to maintain viewer engagement throughout the series.
Beyond her work on television, Rhimes is also an accomplished author. Her memoir, “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person,” became a bestseller upon its release in 2015. As the 10th anniversary of the book approaches, she hints at the possibility of a follow-up. “I’m considering that, now that we’re coming up on the 10th anniversary.”
Season 3 of Bridgerton will debut in two parts, with Part One available on Netflix from May 16 and Part Two dropping on June 13. Fans of the series can expect more of the lush storytelling and intricate character development that has made the show a cultural phenomenon.
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