How the ‘Bridgerton’ Cast Crafts New Tensions + Twists in Season 3

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Photo Source: Liam Daniel/Netflix

As we prepare for the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, Backstage is breaking down this year’s film and television ensemble nominees for your consideration. 

Main cast: Nicola Coughlan, Adjoa Andoh, Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton
Casting by: Kelly Valentine Hendry
Created by: Chris Van Dusen
Distributed by: Netflix

Netflix’s historical romantic drama plays fast and loose with history, depicting a more racially progressive early-1800s Regency-era England. This conceit allows for a fascinating and scintillating chronicle of two main families—the Bridgertons and the Featheringtons—as they enter the social debutante scene. As a large, shifting ensemble takes turns centering each season’s arc, it falls on a talented cast performing at the top of their game to bring this alternative history to light, a trend that continues in unexpected ways on Season 3.

Taking center stage is Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, whose secret authorship of the social newsletter has now been revealed to her former friend Eloise (Claudia Jessie). Coughlan handles the character’s development admirably, as this wallflower, relegated to an observer role in earlier seasons, becomes involved with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), gaining self-confidence along the way. The actor excels at projecting Penelope’s quiet, intellectual satisfaction as she watches her pamphlet eagerly consumed by the public. Her blooming passion is doubly satisfying as the result of a long, frustrated buildup, rewarding audience investment. For his part, Newton adds depth to the rakish, self-confident Colin as he realizes his requited feelings for someone he’d previously overlooked. 

Adjoa Andoh remains feisty and formidable as Lady Agatha Danbury. She takes a more passive role this season but injects plenty of venom into Lady Agatha’s grudge against her dapper brother Marcus (Daniel Francis) for coming between her and Violet (Ruth Gemmell). Golda Rosheuvel also continues to dominate the screen as Queen Charlotte, projecting royalty and impatience as she finds herself unimpressed with the current season of debutantes. The older generation perfectly reflects the simmering passions of the younger, as Andoh and her costars put more wisdom and poise into their roles, while demonstrating how little changes in affairs of the heart. 

Bridgerton

(L to R) Hannah Dodd, Victor Alli, Masali Baduza Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

Among other returning cast members are Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley as Viscount Anthony and his wife, Kate. Meanwhile, Hannah Dodd steps effortlessly into the role of Countess Francesca Bridgerton, taking over for Ruby Stokes from earlier seasons, and brings her own spin on the character’s quirky individuality as she grows up and enters society. Julie Andrews lends her distinctive voice as the narrator of Penelope’s articles, adding warmth and dry humor with her sharp line readings.

Despite constant conflict, the show has few clearly villainous characters, instead depicting a cutthroat society where ambitious social climbing is the norm. Jessica Madsen’s Cressida Cowper embodies this ruthlessness, as the actress brings a certain arch narcissism to the role, but still retains the viewer’s empathy with an underlying vulnerability, reminding us that her methods for self-advancement are not too different from everyone else’s.

This egalitarian vision of history explores LGBTQ relationships through Luke Thompson’s Benedict Bridgerton, experimenting with a more open tryst with Lady Tilley (Hannah New). The actor’s down-to-earth, comedic take on the character also makes him somewhat of an audience surrogate, reacting to the stifling social norms of the time.

Additionally, a slew of talented actors make powerful impressions even with minor roles, including Polly Walker chewing scenery as the scheming, uptight Portia Featherington, Bessie Carter as the airheaded Prudence, and Victor Alli as Francesca’s sensitive, unpretentious love interest John Stirling. 

Serving as escapist entertainment doesn’t diminish this crowd-pleaser’s insights into friendship and love, and each player carries their weight to cement this tapestry of high society into the current television landscape.

Want more? Stay in the loop with everything you need to know this awards season right here