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Season three of "Bridgerton" has yet to conclude, but fans are already looking ahead to season four.
Season three, which returns for part two on June 13, centers on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington's (Nicola Coughlan) love story. With four episodes remaining, viewers are eager to learn which Bridgerton sibling will get the spotlight next. The two biggest contenders are Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), with fans providing compelling clues that could point to either of them leading season four.
Showrunner Jess Brownell already confirmed to Town & Country magazine that there are "some clues at the end of season three" that indicate where the show is headed. Here's why people think Benedict, the second-eldest sibling, will get the main character treatment next.
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The first two seasons of "Bridgerton" followed the same order as Julia Quinn's book series. Season one centered on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and the second season focused on Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley).
If the TV series had matched the novels, then "An Offer From a Gentleman," which tells Benedict and Sophie's love story (aka Benophie), would have been adapted for season three. In the "Cinderella"-inspired book, Sophie is a servant to her cruel stepmother, Araminta Gunningworth. She meets Benedict at a masquerade ball, and they later get married and have four kids.
Unlike the book series order, the show jumped ahead to Colin and Penelope, the main characters of the fourth book, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton." Brownell told Entertainment Weekly that Polin's romance moved up because the series had already spent two seasons showing their dynamic, and it would have gotten tedious if the pair hadn't advanced.
Benedict, meanwhile, spends the first half of season three getting to know an intriguing widow named Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), who challenges societal norms and doesn't conform to all its arbitrary rules. It's unclear where their attraction will take them in part two (and Lady Arnold isn't a character from the books), but for now, this romance could be a stepping stone in Benedict figuring out his place in the world and readying himself for marriage.
Benedict showing up at Tilley's home to call on her with a bouquet of flowers at the start of episode four indicates that he may be interested in something serious, even though he's not interested in courting this season.
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Benedict finding love with Sophie, a member of the working class, may also be alluded to during a brief moment in episode three when he acknowledges a vendor as he walks by her. A conversation with Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) in the prior episode, in which Benedict explains the rules of the ton, could also point to his future relationship.
"All these rules are to keep the marriage mart churning. But once you have performed your function and found your match, you are free," Benedict says.
People on Reddit also think that the show might diverge from the books, alter the Cowper family's storyline, and set up Lady Cowper (Joanna Bobin) as Sophie's stepmom.
In season three, the Cowpers have a larger presence. It's revealed that Cressida's (Jessica Madsen) cold parents are forcing her to get married this season and her dad has reduced her allowance. Lady Cowper hasn't been addressed by her first name on the show, but Grace Gorman, the key hair stylist for "Bridgerton," revealed on Instagram that the character's first name is Araminta — the same as Sophie's stepmother in the book series.
As of now, Lord Cowper is still alive, but it's possible that the TV show could soon kill him off, leading Lady Cowper to remarry and gain a stepdaughter named Sophie.
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Brownell told Town & Country in May that scripts for the next season were being finalized. Filming will reportedly begin in June, and the production codename for season four is rumored to be "Vauxhall."
Season three's codename was "Hampstead," which could be a nod to Penelope's identity as the mysterious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown. Hampstead, located in the UK, is recognized for its connection to notable writers like John Keats.
Season four's codename could similarly hold significance. In the 1700s, Vauxhall Gardens in London was the site of cultural and entertainment events, including a masquerade.
"Bridgerton" fans will have to wait until part two drops on June 13 to see who the main character baton gets handed off to.
