![Bridgerton S3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y6Jq6AZ3JSymtt5dnwuYUa-415-80.png)
One of Netflix's biggest shows returns this week. Yes, Bridgerton is finally back! If that major-league billing is a surprise to you, meanwhile, the figures bear looking at.
Netflix has revealed that Bridgerton was its biggest-ever debut for a new show, with 82 million member households watching it in the first month when it first became available – about 40% of all subscribers at that point.
Those are big numbers and Netflix will be hoping that they're sustained through Season 3, which drops its first bundle of episodes this week – on 16 May.
After a couple of seasons on the sidelines, this time around it's going to be all eyes on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) herself, as she finally begins to seriously attack the question of whether she can find her own love.
It looks like she'll get entangled with her friend Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), but also have other suitors to distract her, in classic Bridgerton style. We're expecting plenty of side plots involving other amorous characters, too.
This will only be the first part of the next season, though – we'll have to wait until 13 June for the remaining episodes, and there's pretty safe money to be had on a cliffhanger ending between the two halves.
There will be four episodes in each bundle, so if you're really patient you could dole these out on a weekly basis, although we'd imagine most people will find themselves bingeing them a little more quickly than that.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Lord Debling will apparently be Penelope's other main suitor during the season, played by The Crown’s Sam Phillips, and it looks certain that things will get pretty steamy by the time she settles on a choice.
The good news for series fans is that there will be plenty of time with faces from past seasons, too, with season 2's Kate and Anthony featuring a bunch now that they're happily married. If you can't wait even a few days to find out more, Netflix's own site has plenty of little teaser clips to whet your appetite.
So, it's looking like a great summer for fans of romance, with Netflix vying to claim the crown as the best streaming service for budding love.
Max is a freelance writer with years of experience in tech and entertainment. He's also a gaming expert, both with the games themselves and in testing accessories and consoles, having flexed that expertise at Pocket-lint as a features editor. He has tested all manner of tech too, from headphones and speakers to apps and software.
-
Netflix's new no.1 brings two Oscar-winners back together – and fans love it
Ticket to Paradise has Clooney and Roberts – but also a mixed reputation
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Squid Game fans will soon be able to compete against each other for free
Netflix is going big for the new season
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Your affordable Netflix subscription could soon be scrapped
It's time to choose a new plan
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Amazon Prime Video's next big sci-fi spy thriller gets action-packed teaser
Citadel: Diana looks like sleek fun
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
New Netflix horror series coming from the twisted minds behind Stranger Things
The Duffer Brothers sign up for some more streaming shocks
By Rik Henderson Published
-
A Disney+ show just received the most Emmy nominations ever – watch it now
The Bear's stressful second season has been a hit with the Emmys
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix's new no.1 brings two Oscar-winners back together – and fans love it
Ticket to Paradise has Clooney and Roberts – but also a mixed reputation
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Squid Game fans will soon be able to compete against each other for free
Netflix is going big for the new season
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Your affordable Netflix subscription could soon be scrapped
It's time to choose a new plan
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix shows teaser for its biggest-ever show, before it even wraps shooting!
Stranger Things 5 is going to be huge
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
PS5 owners get Apple TV+ for free – no stings attached
This handy free trial returns
By Max Freeman-Mills Published