Bridgerton season 3 skipping Benedict is disappointing for book fans

Bringing a beloved book series to life on screen can be a thrilling experience for fans, but it requires a delicate balance of staying true to the source material. Netflix’s adaptation of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels has captured audiences with its lavish Regency-era settings, scandalous intrigues, and, above all, the intricate love stories that bind the characters together.

However, as excitement builds for the upcoming season 3, a wave of disappointment ripples through the dedicated fans of Quinn’s novels.

In a deviation from the chronological order of Quinn’s novels, Bridgerton season 3 is set to sidestep Benedict Bridgerton’s intricate love story, which takes center stage in the third book, and instead, thrusts viewers into the romantic entanglements of Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton from the fourth installment (check out the first look of season 3 below):

This decision has stirred a profound sense of letdown among fans who eagerly anticipated a faithful adaptation of the series.

Curious about the reasons behind Netflix’s deviation from the source material and what Julia Quinn herself has to say about this creative choice? You’re in luck! Below, we delve into all the details, providing insights into the decision-making process and the reasons for diverting from the source material, so without further ado, let’s dive in!

What’s Netflix’s reason for deviating from Bridgerton books?

Netflix’s decision to deviate from the Bridgerton books and prioritize Colin and Penelope’s love story in season 3 has left fans of Julia Quinn’s novels, particularly those anticipating Benedict’s narrative from Book 3, feeling disappointed. While the streaming giant aims to introduce fresh storylines and enrich the overall narrative with multiple arcs and genres, the omission of Benedict’s story has raised concerns among loyal book fans.

Despite the disappointment, there’s a glimmer of hope for Benedict’s enthusiasts. The new showrunner, Jess Brownell, acknowledged the anticipation surrounding Benedict’s story and assured fans that it hasn’t been abandoned. She hinted at the possibility of exploring Benedict’s tale in future seasons, offering some consolation to those eagerly awaiting his romantic journey.

Brownell explained the decision to prioritize Colin and Penelope’s love story by emphasizing the emotional investment audiences have in their relationship. Having witnessed both actors on screen since season 1, viewers are already familiar with Colin and Penelope, making their storyline a compelling choice for the current season. Brownell’s vision for season 3 includes exploring the tension between the characters and pushing their relationship to the forefront, providing fans with a deeper understanding of their dynamic.

As Netflix strives to balance multiple characters and storylines in the adaptation process, the choice to focus on Colin and Penelope reflects the complexity of translating a book series to television. While fans may feel disappointed about the temporary sidelining of Benedict’s story, the show’s creators are committed to delivering a captivating and well-balanced viewing experience for audiences!

What has Julia Quinn said about deviating from the books?

Julia Quinn, the author behind the beloved Bridgerton book series, has voiced her support for Netflix’s adaptation, despite the streaming platform’s decision to veer away from her source material by skipping over Benedict’s love story for season 3.

In an interview with Insider, Quinn expressed her understanding of the show’s shift in focus towards Penelope and Colin, citing the groundwork laid for Penelope’s character within the series. She emphasized the absence of Benedict’s love interest in the current storyline, noting:

"“We haven’t met Benedict’s love interest. I suppose people are gonna say they could have introduced her, but the fact of the matter is, we haven’t.”"

Quinn also highlighted a positive aspect of delaying Benedict’s storyline, noting that once a character has their “season,” they tend to recede from the spotlight.

So, this delay would potentially allow fans to see more of Benedict in future seasons, prolonging his presence within the adaptation! Which is a win in our books!

Bridgerton season 3 is heading our way, so just stay tuned for an official release date update soon!