Ruby Barker Won't Return as Marina Thompson in Bridgerton Season 3

Bridgerton Season 3 is just around the corner, and more and more intriguing details about it are emerging.

For example, fans were recently shocked to discover that Ruby Barker won't be a part of the upcoming season.

The actress confirmed this on her Instagram account while responding to fan comments on her latest post.

'Will you be in Season 3 of Bridgerton this year?' a concerned fan asked in the comments.

'No! Sadly not, my love!' Barker replied.

Ruby Barker played one of the most controversial Bridgerton characters, Marina Thompson. Marina joined the Featherington family in Season 1 to participate in the social season and find a husband. However, it was later revealed that she had been having an affair with Sir George Crane at home and became pregnant before the two could marry. The situation turned into a huge scandal, and after it was revealed that Sir George had died on the battlefield, his brother Philip married Marina.

Marina was a significant part of Colin Bridgerton's arc. Colin fell for the beautiful woman, and she tried to trick him into marrying her without telling him she was pregnant. In Season 2, Colin visits Marina and Philip's house to make peace with his feelings.

Many fans thought that Marina would play at least a minor role in season 3, seeing how it's supposed to be centred on Colin Penelope Featherington's love story. The news of Marina's complete absence from the upcoming season has divided the fandom.

Those who loved the character, brilliantly portrayed by Ruby Barker, are saddened, while those who thought Marina was an evil incarnate are happy to see her gone.

Barker's absence likely means that Marina's arc will end the way it did in Julia Quinn's books: with Marina dying and leaving Sir Phillip Crane a widower, ready to start a new love story with Eloise Bridgerton.

Other hints point in that direction as well. Fans believe that Chris Fulton, the actor who plays Phillip, will make at least a brief appearance in Season 3. Most likely, the Cranes will be invited to Colin and Penelope's wedding. It would be in character for Colin to invite his former fiancée and her husband.

The fact that Barker will not be playing Marina in Season 3 leads fans to believe that Philip will come alone with heartbreaking news about his wife.

Brace yourselves, Marina Thompson fans: your favourite character's departure from the series is coming.