This post contains spoilers for the first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 3. Netfix recently released the first half of Season 3 of Bridgerton. As with any installment of the series, expect another courting season, another romance hindered by a dark secret and/or past trauma, and a resolution that ends eventually with yet another Bridgerton baby. Though not as complex as the royal family, the Bridgerton family tree grows new branches with each season. Things are getting confusing as it can be hard to keep track of all eight (eight!) Bridgerton children, their various suitors, and all of their respectively families. Adding the royal family to the mix now means tracking dozens of characters love stories.
Season 3 also turns the camera away from the Bridgerton family for a time to focus on their next door neighbor, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). Penelope, as we know, secretly writes a gossipy newsletter under the pen name Lady Whistledown. This season, Penelope, so often a wallflower, finally steps into the limelight as her crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) turns into a full-on dalliance. As the two flirt, Penelope worries about Colin finding out about her secret identity a valid concern considering she humiliated Colin and his family multiple times. Colin loathes Lady Whistledown. Drama ensues.
If you’re wondering if Bridgerton will ever present a simple, uncomplicated romance, can I interest you in the other star of Season 3, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd)? The introspective Francesca makes her society debut this season and falls for someone equally as shy. Each pot has its lid.
Though it unclear whether either Colin or Francesca will marry, to understand the implications of each match, you must understand the various family relationships. Here are the Bridgerton, Featherington, and royal family trees.
