‘Bridgerton’ Season 2: Small Clues Hint Season 3 Might Be About Benedict and Sophie
Now that Bridgerton fans have had a chance to binge season 2, they have a couple of questions. When will season 3 arrive? And which couple will take center stage in the new episodes? So far, Netflix has been keeping quiet about what’s next for the hit period drama. But a few moments in season 2 hint that Bridgerton Season 3 could focus on Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett.
Shonda Rhimes says ‘Bridgerton’ might not continue to follow the order of Julia Quinn’s books
Bridgerton is based on a series of books by Julia Quinn that chronicle the romantic escapades of the eight Bridgerton siblings. Each book focuses on a different member of the family. So far, the show has roughly followed the books, with season 1 inspired by The Duke and I and season 2 drawing from The Viscount Who Loved Me. If that pattern holds, season 3 should take its cues from An Offer From a Gentleman. That book focuses on a Cinderella-esque romance between Benedict and Sophie Beckett, the illegitimate daughter of an earl.
However, there’s no guarantee that Bridgerton’s next season – which is reportedly due to start filming in summer 2022 – will continue to follow the pattern of the books.
“There’s eight Bridgerton siblings, so we’re planning on following each one of the siblings’ romantic stories,” executive producer Shonda Rhimes told Entertainment Tonight. “We’re not necessarily going in order but we are going to be seeing each of the siblings and their stories.”
Rhimes went on to say that the show’s writers were “already hard at work writing season 3.” But she refused to divulge exactly which sibling would be the star of Bridgerton’s next season.
Could this be a clue that ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 will be about Benedict?
Rhimes wasn’t dropping any spoilers about what’s in store for the steamy period drama. But there might have been some clues in season 2 that suggest it will be about Benedict’s romance with Sophie.
At several points in season 2, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) mentions needing to hire new servants to work in the Bridgerton household. That might seem like an innocuous remark, but it could be the show’s way of foreshadowing a Benedict-Sophie romance.
In An Offer From a Gentleman, Benedict meets Sophie when she attends a masked ball in disguise. He and the mystery woman have a strong connection, but he never learns her name. Later, Sophie ends up working as a servant after she is cast out by her wicked stepmother. She meets Benedict again when he rescues her from a dangerous situation. However, he does not realize she’s the woman from the ball.
Benedict helps Sophie get a job as a maid for his family. But they can’t deny their attraction to each other. However, their romance is complicated by their different positions in society. Bridgerton Season 2 also included references to the challenges of a cross-class romance in Mary Sharma’s (Shelley Conn) backstory. That could be another hint about where things are headed in season 3. A scene where it’s mentioned that the Cowpers “stole” their cook also seems to allude to a plot point from Benedict’s book, where members of the ton are fighting to keep their servants.
Benedict had a significant subplot in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
Another possible sign that Benedict (Luke Thompson) will be the star of Bridgerton Season 3? The character got a pretty significant subplot in season 2 involving his desire to become an artist and his struggle to find his purpose in life. Anthony had a major subplot in season 1 revolving around his romance with opera singer Siena Rosso. He then moved to a starring role in season 2. The same pattern might follow for Benedict.
As for Thompson, he recently said even he’s not sure what’s next for his character.
“The books would indicate that the next one up is Benedict, but we don’t know that for sure because the show is the show, and the show has license to do all sorts of things,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “The show is such an ensemble effort anyway, and it does feel like there’s so much to get our teeth into even when you’re not in the driver’s seat. It’s not like I’m sitting around waiting for my “big moment” because it’s such a huge group effort, and that’s what makes it satisfying to do. As long as Benedict keeps being explored, I’m happy.”
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