Bridgerton‘s highly anticipated return inches ever closer, with the first 4 episodes of season 3 coming to on Netflix on May 16. While the series is adapted from Julia Quinn’s novels and follows each of the Bridgerton siblings’ romances in successive order, season 3 skips its respective book and instead tackles Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) courtship of Penelope Featherington (Derry Girls‘ Nicola Coughlan). The two characters have been close for years, though Colin remains oblivious to his friend’s crush on him — not to mention to her secret identity as Lady Whistledown.
One of the most interesting aspects of adapting Colin’s book for Bridgerton season 3 is how the show handles Penelope’s new look, which takes place off-page in the novel series. Naturally, costume designer John Glaser and hair & makeup designer Erika Ökvist are responsible for finding the perfect color palette and fashion choices to represent the changes Penelope undergoes. Rather than changing her style for purely cosmetic purposes, Penelope is calculating how best to find a husband in order to escape her mother and sisters’ shadows.
Screen Rant interviewed Glaser and Ökvist about how they approached Penelope Featherington’s makeover in Bridgeton season 3, as well as what guided them when turning Hannah Dodd into the new Francesca Bridgerton. The duo also teased some of the exciting balls to come later in the season, and the complexity of the Netflix show blending historical fiction with fantasy.
Screen Rant: Erika, Penelope’s makeover or glow-up in the books is a big turning point for her, but it works slightly differently on the show. What went into her taking charge of her look when it comes to the makeup and hair?
When setting the color palette and bringing costumes, hair, and makeup together, who comes first?
Penelope isn’t the only one in different circumstances, as we see both elder Featherington sisters become matriarchs of their own households this year. Can you talk about how the DNA looks for those characters change this season, if at all?
We have a new actor playing Francesca, and we’re getting to know her for the first time. What conversations did you have with Jess to settle on what look best encapsulates the quiet music-lover within? Was any consideration given to continuity with the previous actor?
The balls this season are bigger, better, and more themed than ever. Do you each have either a ball or another large set piece that was the most challenging or exciting to work on for the characters within that scene?
Bridgerton is back for its third season and finds Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after hearing his disparaging words about her last season. She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters. But lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly. Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realize that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder.
Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly. Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.
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