Penelope has been infatuated by Colin ever since the start of season one, he explains toGlamourover Zoom.
Of course, this isBridgerton.
(The first set premieres on May 16.)
Grooming by Sven Bayerbach; Styling by Maya Zepinic; Photography by Liz Collins
Theres plenty to keep you entertained in the meantimeespecially Newtons glow-up to leading man status.
And with charm like his, its clear well be talking about Luke Newton way beyondBridgertonseason 3.
Glamour: When Iinterviewed you last season, I asked where youd like to see Colin in the future.
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington.
But then, if that happens, thats almost the end of his story.
So Im happy to wait for as long or as soon as they want that to happen.
Now that youre on the other side of season 3, how does that quote strike you?
Luke Newton:Im kind of blown away, because it feels so appropriate.
I got to play out the version of the story that I wanted.
Its what I predicted but a much deeper and a much more nuanced version of that.
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Jorden Myrie as Lord Stanton, and Joe Barnes as Lord Wilding.
I really loved playing that in the first couple of episodes.
There are many things that hes lacked over the last summer that hes trying to reconnect with.
He has this realization of, This isnt what I want.
Yeah, I loved that moment.
Hes just like, This conversation is gross.
So he doesnt really fit in with those lords.
Liam Daniel/Netflix
And really, hes a sensitive dude and has a lot of empathy for people.
Its fun to be in that part of the world where he doesnt really belong.
It led to some interesting DMs… We cant linger on that for too long because theres so much to get into throughout the season.
It feels really busy and energetic.
Yeah, there is a point where you think, Is this going to end now?
Because everything seems pretty good.
Like, wheres the issue?
But the main thing thats always hovering over us is Lady Whistledown.
Going into this season, you went from a supporting character to the lead.
What were you most excited to dig into?
Whats really fun this season is that we got to dive into the rom-com element of the show.
That was something that really excited me.
Its a slow burn, the relationship between Colin and Pen from season 1.
Iinterviewed John Glaser about the costumesthis season, and he said Colins look was inspired by a cowboy.
And then your character comes in with a new swagger and more confidence.
Did the costumes help?
In previous seasons, everything I wore was brand-new and felt very clean cut.
My necktie was done up super tight, and it felt very prim and proper.
And then he came back with this carefree attitude.
So I was really grateful for my first fitting, and then I looked forward to them every time.
But also, what I loved this year was that they wanted to create a wardrobe for Colin.
But this season they were like, Lets just create a wardrobe that we can pick and choose from.
Its things that hes picked up from his travels and influences from all the cities that hes been to.
We can use that necktie.
Or, That darker shirt looks great, and we can have the buttons open.
I felt like part of the process, which I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity.
They did away with that this season so they could see, to quote her, your chiseled jaw.
That was probably the thing I hated the most.
But yeah, I loved having everything open.
It was the same makeup team from season 2, so wed formed a really good relationship.
Should we just grow your hair from now and see where we get?
What are we going to do about sideburns?
Maybe just grow your beard, and we can take that to different levels.
It felt really nice to feel a part of all the decisions.
His hair was very neat and proper in previous seasons.
So it, again, fueled stories of his journey to me.
No, Penelope didnt dye her hair.
Its the same wig from season one!
You mentioned how much you liked having more input into the character.
Did you do anything like that this season?
I actually flipped that one on its head.
Hes quite anxious throughout this season at times, and hes going through a lot.
So actually, I more wanted to show hes not eating.
Its out of character for him, right?
Yeah, hes going through something.
Its not a comfort thing now; its Im stressed.
Im thinking about love and passion and my friend and how I can help her.
But I dont think there was anything else that I necessarily asked for.
This season felt so detailed that it was all in the text, everything that Jess gave me.
Theres a particular scene when Colin slightly lashes out.
Hes also massively hungover because hes trying to escape his feelings the night before.
Hes going through too much.
I liked the idea that he either just ran away or didnt have a tutor this time.
I think thats where he goes off the rails slightly and had this wild experience abroad.
But also, again, just being surrounded by people that Id worked with on previous seasons.
I had a new ring, and she gave me this backstory.
Little things like that really brought me back.
He knows that everyone lives a very sheltered life there.
So in future seasons, how would you like Colins story to continue?
I wont get to lead this show again.
But then, its nice to pass that on to people that you care about.
Ill be so excited to be back in the show and supporting my siblings stories.
A lot of them feel like siblings to me; its really surreal.
So Im excited for that, but also exploring the rom-com element of this season.
I mean, Colins known for his dad jokes.
I dont know how funny other people will find him, but Im sure hell laugh at himself.
Speaking of the family, Hannah Dodd joined as Francesca this season.
Did you have any advice for her on joining the show, but also the Bridgertons?
It was so weird how she just slot into it so naturally, like day one.
I didnt have any advice.
But I feel like the cast is so strong and everyone knows what theyre doing.
Theres nothing that I could suggest.
Im just like, You do what you are doing, because its absolutely brilliant.
Im so proud of everyone this year.
Everyone has done such an amazing job.
I would love to hear from you about working withLizzie Talbot, the intimacy coordinator.
What was really cool for me was that Lizzie had been on set since season 1.
And theres a dialogue set up between us already, so it felt comfortable.
And if things changed on the day and we didnt want to do something, she completely backed us.
It felt like a very safe space.
People always ask, Whats it like to do an intimacy scene with someone thats your friend?
But also, weve had the same crew for three years now.
It felt like were creating something that is authentic to these roles.
Youve had multiple seasons of people looking forward to Polins story.
How much has that shipping amplified going into season 3, and in what ways did that surprise you?
A lot of people see themselves in Penelope and resonate with her and her journey.
Its still something that Im processing and getting used to on a daily basis.
I dont know how one person ever can understand or appreciate that, because its mind-blowing to me.
Im very excited for them to see it.
Theyve been very patient.
Its so close now.
On a personal note, everyone in the cast has gone on fromBridgertonto do amazing things in their career.
If you could manifest the perfect next project, what does that look like for you?
I guess, ultimately, its about doing something thats completely different.
Well, lets manifest.
Is there a genre that you havent done yet?
I want to do something thats quite dark, a role thats quite dark, so maybe a thriller.
But also, I am enjoying learning new skills and physical transformations.
Even withinBridgerton, I got to learn how to horse-ride and fence.
I would never do that on a day-to-day basis, so things like that that.
Maybe something thats quite action-packed?
Id really love to dive into that and learn how to fight.
Maybe Ill feel safer on the streets of London.
I guess youre not learning how to fight in the ballrooms ofBridgerton.
Oh, absolutely not.
Maybe a stern word every now and then.
As their brother, what would you like to see if and when we continue withEloiseor Benedict?
I just love their relationships and how thats developed over the years.
I would like both of them to find what theyre looking for, because thats what Colin gets.
Thats what all the Bridgertons are seeking.
So maybe just to find what theyre looking for, whatever that might be.
It might not be a romantic love.
It could be anything.
It could be a job.
But to find some sort of contentment because I think thats what the Bridgertons struggle with.
Last question: How will you be spending premiere day?
And then give it a month, and theyll get a second installment.
Im excited, really excited.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Anna Moeslein is the deputy editor atGlamourand aBridgertonfan.
Read her guide to theJulia Quinn booksand hercover story with Simone Ashley, a.k.a.
