Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan in
Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan in "Bridgerton" and on a red carpet.
  • The third season of "Bridgerton" has arrived on Netflix.
  • Season three adapts Colin and Penelope's story from the book "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton."
  • Here are the main cast members and the projects they've been in before the show.

"Bridgerton" is back with many old faces and a few new characters.

The globally watched show has a big ensemble but changes the leading characters every season to focus on a new love story. Season three follows longtime friends Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) as they fall in love.

This is the first time "Bridgerton" fans know both characters in the leading couple before their romance begins since the pair have appeared in the show since season one.

To spice up London's high society, "Bridgerton" season three introduces five new characters: Lord Kilmartin or John Stirling (Victor Alli), Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New), and Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) and Paul Saurez (Lucas Aurelio).

Here's where you may recognize the main cast and newcomers.

Warning: spoilers ahead for "Bridgerton" season three.

Luke Newton returns as Colin Bridgerton.
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton in season three of
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton in "Bridgerton" season three.

Newton reprises his role as Colin, the third eldest sibling of the Bridgerton family.

It is his most prominent role, but fans may recognize the actor from his roles in Disney's "The Lodge" series or "The Cut."

Nicola Coughlan returns as Penelope Featherington.
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington on season three, episode one of
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in "Bridgerton" season three.

Penelope Featherington, played by Coughlan, is the youngest daughter of the Featherington family. The Featheringtons live across the street from the Bridgertons and are close friends of the family.

Coughlan is known for starring in TV comedies such as "Derry Girls" and "Big Mood." However, she's also had some big screen roles, like a small part in 2023's "Barbie."

Hannah Dodd joins the cast as Francesca Bridgerton.
Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton on season three, episode two of
Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton in "Bridgerton" season three.

Francesca Bridgerton is the sixth Bridgerton sibling who has appeared on the show before. But Dodd is a new face; her character was often away from the family home and when she did appear, she was played by a different actor, Ruby Stokes, in previous seasons.

Stokes left the role after season two to star in another Netflix series, "Lockwood & Co." Dodd was cast to portray Francesca for future seasons.

Dodd has previously appeared in Netflix's miniseries "Anatomy of a Scandal," Marvel's "Eternals," "Fighting with My Family," and "Enola Holmes 2."

Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley return as Anthony and Kate Bridgerton.
Simone Ashley as Kate and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony on the season three premiere of
Simone Ashley as Kate and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony in "Bridgerton" season three.

Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma were the leading couple of season two, and return in season three as husband and wife.

Before "Bridgerton," Bailey had appeared in British shows like "Doctor Who" and "Crashing." Since his success on the hit Netflix show, he has starred in more American projects like "Fellow Travelers" and the upcoming "Wicked" movie.

Fans will likely recognize Ashley from the hit Netflix British show "Sex Education," where she played popular high-schooler Olivia. Ashley has also appeared in "Pokemon: Detective Pikachu" and last year's live-action reboot of "The Little Mermaid."

Many other Bridgerton family actors return in season three.
The Bridgerton family (L-R): Gregory Bridgerton (Will Tilston), Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt), Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell),  Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd), Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson).
The Bridgerton family (L-R): Gregory Bridgerton (Will Tilston), Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt), Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd), Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson).

Several of Anthony, Colin, and Francesca's siblings — Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), Benedict (Luke Thompson), Gregory (Will Tilston), and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) — all return in season three along with their mother, Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell). The only absent sibling is Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor).

"Bridgerton" is the biggest role for many of the actors who portray the Bridgerton family. Some "Dunkirk" fans may recognize Thompson since he was a background actor in the Christopher Nolan movie.

Jessie and Gemmell have appeared in several popular British series, including "Doctor Who," "Line of Duty," "Eastenders," and "Tracy Beaker."

"Bridgerton" was the second role for Tilston and Hunt, who play the youngest Bridgertons. Hunt starred in "Cursed" in 2020, and Tilston appeared in "Goodbye Christoper Robin" in 2017.

Polly Walker returns as Lady Featherington.
Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington in
Polly Walker as Lady Portia Featherington in "Bridgerton" season three.

Lady Portia Featherington is the matriarch of the Featherington family who consistently devises schemes to ensure her family's success.

Walker has been acting for years on TV and movies. Fans may recognize her from her appearances in Gwyneth Paltrow's "Emma," "Clash of the Titans," or "John Carter."

Victor Alli plays John Stirling, a new member of London's high society. He's also referred to as Lord Kilmartin.
Victor Alli as John Stirling in
Victor Alli as John Stirling in "Bridgerton" season three.

John Stirling, the Earl of Kilmartin, is a new character in season three and is Francesca Bridgerton's love interest.

"Bridgerton" is Alli's biggest role to date. But before this, he's had small roles in "Andor," "Belfast," and "Death on the Nile."

Daniel Francis plays Lord Marcus Anderson, a character who doesn't appear in the books.
Daniel Francis as Lord Anderson, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury on season three, episode four of
Daniel Francis as Lord Anderson and Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury in "Bridgerton" season three.

Lord Marcus Anderson, played by Francis, is a member of the Ton, London's high society. He first appears in "Bridgerton" season three, episode two, as the brother of fan-favorite character Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh).

Fantasy fans are most likely to recognize Francis. He previously appeared in the most recent season of "Wheel of Time" and in a few episodes of the ABC series "Once Upon a Time."

Jessica Madsen returns as Cressida Cowper.
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper in
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper in "Bridgerton" season three.

Cressida Cowper debuted in society in "Bridgerton" season one, but her mean, shallow personality stopped her from finding a husband. Madsen reprises the role in season three, and the character appears to have befriended Eloise Bridgerton.

Some fans may recognize Madsen from her appearances in the 2017 horror prequel "Leatherface" or the 2019 action movie "Rambo: Last Blood."

Sam Phillips plays Lord Debling, a potential love interest for Penelope.
The first look photo of Penelope (Coughlan) and Lord Debling (Sam Phillips) in
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Sam Phillips as Lord Debling in "Bridgerton" season three.

Lord Debling is a newly created character in the TV series, played by Sam Phillips. He's a suitor for Penelope.

Phillips has appeared in another big British hit series on Netflix, "The Crown." He played the Queen's equerry in seasons three and four.

Hannah New plays Lady Tilley Arnold, a mysterious new Ton member.
Hannah New as Lady Tilley Arnold on season three, episode three of
Hannah New as Lady Tilley Arnold in "Bridgerton" season three.

Lady Tilley Arnold first appears in "Bridgerton" season three, episode two, as a new love interest for Benedict Bridgerton.

New is best known for starring as Eleanor Guthrie in the Starz series, "Black Sails." She has also appeared in "Maleficent" and the FX miniseries "Trust."

Martins Imhangbe and Emma Naomi return as Will and Alice Mondrich.
Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich and Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich in
Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich and Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich in "Bridgerton" season three.

In season one, Imhangbe and Naomi first appeared as Will and Alice, a happy working-class couple. They ran a gentleman's club in season two. But in season three, they unexpectedly move up in society.

"Bridgerton" is the biggest role for both Imhangbe and Naomi. Before the show, Imhangbe was largely a stage actor in England, and Naomi appeared in smaller British TV shows.

Golda Rosheuvel returns as Queen Charlotte.
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte on season three, episode three of
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte on season three, episode three of "Bridgerton."

"Bridgerton" season one introduced audiences to Queen Charlotte, a real-life monarch who reigned in England in the late 18th/early 19th century.

Golda Rosheuvel plays the stylish queen in the main series and its spin-off show, "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Series." Rosheuvel has a long TV résumé, appearing in British shows including "Luther," "Holby City," and "Eastenders."

Since the success of "Bridgerton," Rosheuvel has appeared in bigger projects such as "Dune" and the latest season of "Doctor Who."

Lucas Aurelio plays Paul Suarez, Tilly's friend and secret lover.
Lucas Aurelio as Paul Suarez in
Lucas Aurelio as Paul Suarez in "Bridgerton" season three.

In season three, episode six, Lady Tilley Arnold asks Benedict to come for dinner with her special friend, Paul Suarez. Later in the episode, we learn Paul and Tilley are friends with benefits and want Benedict to join them to become a throuple.

Lucas Aurelio plays the dashing Paul Suarez and this is not his first Netflix project: he previously appeared on "The Witcher."

Masali Baduza plays Michaela Stirling, a potential love interest for Francesca.
Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling on the season three finale of
Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling on the season three finale of "Bridgerton."

The season three finale has one more surprising addition to the cast. After Francesca marries John, she meets his cousin Michaela Stirling, who is coming to live with them in Scotland.

Michaela Stirling is the female version of Michael Stirling, Francesca's second love interest from Julia Quinn's books that the series is based on.

Masali Baduza plays Michaela, and "Bridgerton" is her biggest role to date. Baduza has previously appeared in "Woman King," "Noughts + Crosses," and the "Around the World in 80 Days" TV adaptation.

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