The recent announcement that season 3 of the Netflix juggernaut Bridgerton will focus on Penelope and Colin attracted considerable attention. While a lot of the Netflix series audiences are excited for the story to take center stage in season 3, the choice also received some criticism, particularly from Benedict's fans.
The source material is clear about who's next in the family's love stories, which in the books is Benedict. The show shifting focus to another couple might seem sacrilegious to book purists. However, the decision might be ultimately for the best. While there are several arguments against it, there's an equal amount to support it.
Why Penelope & Colin Are Ready
They're Already Popular With Fans
The main couple of Bridgerton is whichever stars in the season's central story. Daphne and Simon were the focus of season 1, while Anthony and Kate dominated season 2. However, Penelope's infatuation with Colin played a crucial role in her characterization throughout the last two seasons, and while his feelings aren't romantic (yet), he cares a great deal about her.
Fans reacted positively to the relationship. Colin's affair with Marina was one of the worst parts of season 1, mainly because fans preferred Penelope. Unlike the previous two couples, who began with a clean slate from fans, Colin and Penelope are already popular with viewers, making season three an instant much-watch.
The Perfect Love Story For Our Times
Bridgerton season 2 had several great couples, including Colin and Penelope. The show has become famous for subverting the period piece, but it has also considerably changed the romantic genre by having a Black man and a South-Asian woman as romantic leads.
Penelope would be another step forward due to the rarity of a plus-sized woman being the lead of her own romance story. Penelope steps out of the traditional depictions of a romantic heroine in a period piece, offering a new take on an old trope. Bridgerton keeps redefining what audiences should expect from their period pieces, and having Penelope as the star of the show's romantic story is the perfect next step for the show.
It's Rife With Drama
One of the show's main non-romance plots is the presence of the mysterious Lady Whistledown and how she affects the Bridgertons' romantic entanglements. Bridgerton season 1 provided numerous clues to Lady Whistledown's identity, but some fans still reacted with shock at the reveal of the writer's identity.
Season 2 has Eloise discovering Penelope's secret, seemingly ending their friendship. It remains unclear what she'll do with the information, but it wouldn't be strange if she confided in Benedict or Colin with this information. Even if she doesn't, Penelope's side hustle as London's most influential writer will surely complicate things with Colin. The potential drama will make for the most scandalous season so far.
It's The Perfect Time To Spotlight Penelope
Penelope is one of Bridgerton's most intriguing characters, thanks largely to Nicola Coughlan's compelling and sympathetic performance. The youngest Featherington sees and hears everything without anyone noticing her, which makes her one of the most interesting and well-informed characters in the series.
After two seasons of keeping her on the sidelines, it's time to shine the spotlight on Penelope. The show can't keep limiting her to a supporting role, especially when her story is often more urgent and relevant than most others. Having Penelope as the lead of season 3 pays off the development she's had for the first three seasons while finally dealing with her relationship with Colin, which might've become tiresome with another season of nothing happening between them.
Why It Should Be Benedict
His Romance Was Next In The Books
There's nothing book readers hate more than when a movie or show takes too many liberties with the source material. After all, the best book adaptations in film and television accurately translate into a new medium while still respecting the source's essence.
Changing the order of the Bridgerton siblings' stories might not seem like a big deal, but some fans might see it as the show neglecting Benedict's character. The show has already made several key changes to the book series. While book loyalists have accepted them for the most part, they can only take so much before they decide that enough is enough.
Benedict Is Far More Interesting Than Colin
Colin is a perfectly fine character, but he's also somewhat boring compared to his brothers and sisters. He is sweet and dutiful. However, in a show that became famous because of its passionate characters, Colin feels underwhelming and, at times, forgettable.
On the other hand, Benedict is much more spirited and charming. He is the romantic of the family, an artist dying to pursue his dreams of poetry and artistry. True, Penelope is more than interesting enough to support the romantic story, but Colin still needs to do his part. Considering this, Benedict should be the lead in Bridgerton season three, allowing more time to further develop Colin into a romantic lead.
A Classic Disney Story
Benedict's story with Sophie seems straight out of a Disney movie, Cinderella, to be more specific. In the book, Sophie attends a ball without permission from her wicked stepmother, where she meets Benedict. He becomes instantly smitten and vows to marry this mystery lady but finds himself attracted to a young maid, who is very obviously Sophie.
The premise sounds too much like a cliché. However, it also has the potential to become an instant guilty pleasure, especially combined with Bridgerton's trademark brand of raunchy sentimentality. Considering season one was overly heated while season two kept much of the sex scenes under control, Benedict's story provided the perfect balance between the two.
Benedict, Queer Icon?
Season 1 hinted—quite heavily at times—that Benedict might be part of the LGBTQ+ community. Bridgerton never outright declares Benedict is bisexual, but it never denies it either. This gives fans plenty of room to guess and theorize about where his story might go.
Introducing a romantic lead character that's also a member of the LGBTQ+ community in a genre previously dominated by heterosexual couples would be a major milestone in representation. However, it is unknown if the show will change Sophie to Solomon. If that change is made, then it's unknown if fans of the Benedict and Sophie book romance would be okay with a massive change. The possibilities for Benedict's story are exciting, and the fact that the show chose to sideline him again is disappointing.