Phoebe Dynevor (Snatch, Fair Play) recently announced in an interview that she won’t be participating in the third season of Netflix hit series Bridgerton, according to Deadline. Dynevor, who plays Daphne Bridgerton, revealed her departure from the show in an interview with Screenrant at the Sundance Film Festival. But there is still hope; the actress mentioned the possibility that she might appear in future seasons. Daphne only briefly showed up in season two of Bridgerton for a couple of episodes.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the absence of the Duke and Duchess of Hastings shouldn’t come as surprise. Between the first and the second season, the showrunners told the audience that the reason for the absence of certain main characters was because each season was going to focus on a different Bridgerton sibling. Season one focused on Daphne; the second season focused on Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch, W1A); and the third season is going to focus on Colin, played by Luke Newton (The Lodge, The Cut). This format is similar to the one followed by the book series that inspired the show, Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Just Like Heaven, The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever).
According to Deadline, season three will find Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Harlots), after she has finally given up her crush on Colin Bridgerton after hearing him speak badly of her to his friends at the end of last season. Instead, Penelope is focusing on finding a husband who will allow her the independence she needs to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, away from her family. Due to her lack of confidence, Penelope’s search doesn’t go as well.
The new season will find Colin coming back from his summer travels with a new look. He is discouraged to learn that Penelope, one of his closest friends, is refusing to talk to him. Eager to get his friendship back, Colin will help boost Penelope’s confidence so that she can attract the perfect husband. But when his efforts start working a little too well, Colin will have to figure out what his true feelings towards Penelope are.
Complicating matters for Penelope is her falling out with Eloise Bridgerton, played by Claudia Jessie (Porters, Dixi), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place. To make things worse, Penelope’s growing presence in town makes it more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.
Netflix has not yet released a premiere date for season three of Bridgerton, but the new show Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is coming to Netflix in 2023. Seasons one and two of Bridgerton are available to stream on Netflix.