What Are the Chances Bridgerton Season 3 Will Set Up Benedict & Sophie?

When Nicola Coughlan announced in May 2022 that the next third Bridgerton season would be dedicated to the love story of her character Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, the show's huge fan base was divided.

Some were happy to get their story earlier than expected, others were crushed as An Offer from a Gentleman, which revolves around Benedict Bridgerton and is the third book in the original Julia Quinn novel series, is a favorite of many old-time fans and they were disappointed to see it postponed.

Benedict's story

The novel tells a gripping Cinderella-esque tale of the second Bridgerton, who meets a mysterious masked girl at one of the balls and desperately falls in love with her. Benedict vows to marry this woman. But like Cinderella, she disappears without a trace, leaving Benedict with only an initialed glove.

After years of unsuccessfully searching for the girl, Benedict develops feelings for a maid, Sophie, and is torn between this unexpected new emotion and his vow.

Will this story be the basis for Season 4?

When Colin and Penelope's season was announced to be next, many fans assumed that Season 4 would be based on the Benedict book story. But what are the real chances of that happening?

In fact, there are several details that make us think that the Benedict story might be pushed even further and that Season 4 will be dedicated to Eloise Bridgerton instead.

The first reason to think so is purely mathematical. After two consecutive seasons led by men (Anthony and Colin), the writers might want to make room for a female Bridgerton. And the next sister in search of a husband is none other than Eloise.

Besides, there is no denying that Eloise is a much bigger character than Benedict. While the brother didn't have much development in Season 2, the sister was at the center of a Lady Whistledown storyline and had relationships with many characters, including an intriguing crush on a printer's assistant.

The main reason Colin and Penelope came before Benedict, according to Season 3 showrunner Jess Brownell, was that their arcs demanded it. There was no way to drag them out for another season without hurting the story.

The same can be said for Eloise. She has already become the main character, and her story needs to move forward while Benedict can linger in the background a bit longer.

In addition, Eloise's book love interest, Sir Phillip Crane, has already been cast and has appeared in both released seasons, while Sophie has yet to be cast.

Season 3 will set up the next story

Whoever leads Season 4, their story will definitely be set in motion in Season 3.

For Benedict, it will be attending a masked ball and meeting an elusive girl. For Eloise, it is the beginning of her friendship with Sir Phillip. Her story begins with their friendly correspondence.

So far, it feels like Eloise's arc is more ready for a full-on romantic storyline, but that could change. We'll have to wait for the next chapter, which comes out sometime in 2024, to find out.

What do you think will happen?

Source: Variety.