Bridgerton - from secret filming box and costume issue to star's fear (original) (raw)

As Bridgerton Season 3 hits our screens, Penelope Featherington actress Nicola Coughlan, Queen Charlotte star Golda Rosheuvel and Lady Danbury actress Adjoa Andoh join Luke Newton, the newly-beefed-up Colin Bridgerton, to reveal juicy behind-the-scenes secrets of the Netflix Regency Romp - from Battery-powered wigs, to wardrobe malfunctions in the loos and some very naughty Pomeranians

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Watch the official trailer for Netflix's Bridgerton season 3

Dearest gentle reader, welcome to Bridgerton, the diamond of the (TV) season - and what a season it will be!

Penelope Featherington’s once-time infatuation, the young suitor Colin Bridgerton, has returned from his summer travels with a new look and serious sense of swagger - but will he also face a cold shoulder?

And that’s not the only talk of the ‘Ton. Between new arrivals, outrageous outfits, lavish locations and vertigo-inducing wigs, we’re a society gasping for gossip. So rest assured, the tea will most certainly be spilled as I bring you up to date with everything you need - or want - to know.

The circumstances of the season shall reveal themselves…

It’s been two years since series two of the global hit Netflix drama and much change is afoot in this third run. This season, it’s Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) who are centre stage. Will the old friends find love with another - or each other?

Will Netflix's Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) finally realise Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) should be more than just a friend? (

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LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)

Former Derry Girls’ star Nicola was initially unsure about being the lead. She says: “I was just saying ‘Isn’t it fun to play the weirdo in the corner character? It’s so much less pressure.’ Then I got the call. It was kind of terrifying.”

The pair’s onscreen chemistry is helped by their morning routine - after Luke, 31, asked to be sat next to Nicola, 37, in hair and make-up. “That’s a good couple of hours spent running lines and chatting. It meant our energy was aligned!” Luke says.

Not so much that he doesn’t spill a little secret though: Nicola has a box to stand on in their shared scenes, as Luke is 6ft to her 4ft 11.

Spotted on the streets of the ‘Ton…

As the social season is upon us, there are some new faces in town! Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) is set to cause a stir in society. The charismatic lord lights up any room, endearing himself to certain matriarchs - but riling up others. There’s another Lord in play - Alfred Debling, played by Sam Phillips. Wealthy, noble, slightly eccentric, he’ll have no shortage of interest.

Bridgerton's Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) has a new escort for this season's balls - eligible brother Lord Marcus Anderson (series newcomer Daniel Francis) (

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LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)

Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) also emerges from the sidelines to make her debut in the ‘Ton, while Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) is a firebrand widow who captures the attention of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). And there are rumours of another newcomer, but even Lady Whistledown is yet to go to press with this revelation…

One must have an appreciation of one’s place…

Bridgerton returns to lots of their iconic locations including Wilton House, in Pembrokeshire, which functions as Queen Charlotte’s palace. Elsewhere we see specially-built ballrooms at Osterley Park, west London, for the Full Moon Ball, and at Hampton Court, for the Queen’s Ballet and Ball, while Blenheim Palace and Painshill Park, Kent, were used for a hot air balloon event, and Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire, is the setting for the Innovations Ball.

Francesca Bridgerton is back! But what's with the very different look? Actress Hannah Dodd has replaced the original star Ruby Stokes - but fortunately Lady Whistledown (Nicola Coughlan) is yet to notice that scandal..... (

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LAURENCE CENDROWICZ/NETFLIX)

Locations manager Tony Hood says: “We were on the hunt for bigger places, locations that make a big statement.” Show creator Shonda Rhimes teases: “We also get to see the church and some great moments happen there.” Does this mean wedding bells?

How does an illustrious debutante come to look like a rare jewel?

Costumes are set to wow with some 45,000 yards of fabric used across the eight episodes. Inspiration for the men’s costumes has been taken from The New Romantics, such as Adam Ant, while Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly inspired the women’s looks. Costume designer John Glaser reveals: “We decided to make the costumes look like a painting. They have a blurred quality. We used softer colours and up to five layers of fabrics.”

Colin Bridgerton has competition! Lord Debling (Sam Phillips) clearly appreciates how dazzling Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) looks in her couture ballgown

Colin Bridgerton’s ditched his baby blue ‘dandy’ look for more rugged, earthy colours. And there’s something else too. “I’ve had the luxury of having my shirt open quite a lot this season,” Luke teases.

Penelope also has her own big makeover reveal scene while coming down the stairs at the Four Seasons Ball - all inspired by 1999 teen film She’s All That. There was an unofficial piece of clothing backstage too. Sam Phillips’ Lord Debling finds himself in a love triangle with Penelope and Colin, so cheeky Sam made actress Nicola Coughlin a “Team Debling” T-shirt.

Is that really all her own hair? Well, Bridgerton's Queen Charlotte owns this oh-so subtle wig....so technically it is. (

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INTERNET URL)

One is head, wig and shoulders above the rest....

It’s the wigs that really make our jaws drop. Penelope’s wig for the Full Moon Ball is composed of 15 small pieces all worked into her hair, each made of layers of organza, tulle, sequins, gold foil, crystals, brooches, sequins and mirrored ribbon.

But that’s subtle compared to Queen Charlotte’s (Golda Rosheuvel) Swan Lake wig. That comes complete with swimming swans and bespoke cherry trees, and has a working motor hooked up to a battery.

This author finds herself compelled to share the most curious of news…

The Georgian dresses come with a few problems: They’re heavy, expensive and take ages to put on. But the number one issue is...toilet breaks. “In these costumes, when you need a pee, the loos are quite far away and we’ve got 75 million layers,” says.

Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury. Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise Bridgerton, adds: “They don’t tell you how difficult it is to urinate. The Spanx, the layers, the mic pack!”

Bridgerton's Queen Charlotte with Pomeranian. Is this the responsible pooch? (

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Netflix)

Golda had other problems, thanks to her scenes. “I’ve had the little pomeranians,” she says. “Four of them peed on me. Not at the same time.”

Dear reader, the devil is in the details…

Bridgerton’s production designers go all out on the little things. For this season’s Full Moon Ball, a floral team designed 16 various flower arrangements shaped like each different phases of the moon and used 500 LED candles for lighting. Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot a repeated butterfly motif when it comes to Penelope - symbolising her transformation.

Elsewhere, Lady Danbury’s jewellery references actress Adjoa’s own heritage as she wears an Adinkra, a symbol meaning ‘to go and come back’ in Ghanaian culture, a tribute to her grandmother.

And it was decided the tea seen in the show should be real, meaning production needs to make dozens of cups a day. It’s not one of Queen Charlotte’s fancy Georgian specialities though - just good, honest PG Tips.

*Bridgerton Season Three, Part 1, is released on Netflix, this Thursday May 16. Part 2 will be released on June 13.