The first look images from Bridgerton season 3 reveal a bit change to Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope Featherstone that means more than it may seem. The revealing set shots were released to herald the start of filming for Bridgerton season 3 and show off new looks for some of the fan favourite characters. Penelope is shown in a carriage, seemingly dressed up for a social event, but this is not the Pen of the first two seasons.
Bridgerton season 3 is set to focus on Penelope as the main character as her romance with Colin plays out, ahead of the timeline set out by the original book series. Clearly, that change in billing has led to a bigger change in Penelope, judging by her look in the preview footage. She has apparently undergone a makeover, is wearing more makeup than she has throughout Bridgerton’s first two seasons, and has changed her hair.
None of Penelope’s changes are incidental, as her shift to the main character role will also see a dramatic change in her story. Alongside playing her role as Lady Whistledown, Penelope has always been a wallflower (as part of her disguise, in fact), which has perhaps impacted how Colin perceives her. The new look teased by Bridgerton season 3’s first shots will likely play into Penelope's attempts to change Colin's perception of her. This is, wonderfully, the first signs of Penelope claiming her own fate, rather than her romantic future being decided by society circles, forced matchmaking, or the fear of spinsterhood. And for someone as enterprising as Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown, it's about damn time.
Why Penelope Looks So Different In Bridgerton Season 3
The first look at Penelope ahead of Bridgerton season 3 filming suggested she will be embracing a more typically glamorous look. Throughout Bridgerton season 1 and 2, Penelope mostly wore yellow, but marched it with little makeup. In season 3, Penelope will be seen boasting smoky eye shadow and a fuller face of makeup with blusher. Her hair, traditionally set in simple ringlets and pulled back from her face is now more ornately fashioned with ringlets falling over her face. Penelope is making a statement, and it should be quite clear what that statement is.
In Bridgerton season 2's ending, Colin took a bit of a turn when Penelope overheard him say he would never dream of courting her. It isn’t particularly said with malice, but the implication is clear, and will set the story for Bridgerton season 3. And while Penelope could use Lady Bridgerton to seek vengeance, the hint from her new look is that Penelope is reinventing herself into the image of someone Colin could dream of courting. Hopefully, the Bridgerton son will realise he loved her all along, rather than inviting an outcome like Grease’s ending where Sandy has to change for her romance with Danny to work. That’s not something Bridgerton season 3’s change to Penelope should embrace at all.