Culture | TV We were promised things would get steamy in Bridgerton season 3, but so far it has all been a bit lukewarm with part one of the series offering us little more than an illicit fumble in a carriage. And now the second half arrives – starting with Penelope ( Nicola Coughlan ) and Colin (Luke Newton) having freshly announced their engagement, to the bemusement of the Bridgertons, and the horror of Eloise (Claudia Jessie). The will-they-won’t-they couple have finally sealed the deal, and although this is usually where most period dramas finish – at the happily ever after – part two shows that the road to the altar is still rocky.
Because of course, Penelope still hasn’t told Colin about her pen-pushing ways as Lady Whistledown, the ‘Ton’s local gossip monger and purveyor of salacious newsletters. And even early on (we were given two of the final four episodes to watch in advance) this causes all sorts of issues. The Queen is offering a reward to identify Lady Whistledown, and Cressida Cowper desperately wants to cash in.
Meawhile, Eloise is threatening Pen with an ultimatum to own up quick – or she’ll spill the beans herself. So there’s a lot to be getting on with. Unfortunately, much of the ‘action’ involves lots of standing in busy rooms and polite conversation.
However, there’s still more than enough time for Colin and Penelope to settle down and have the most PG pre-marital sex that Netflix will allow. Steamy this is not. Watching it feel.
