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Jess Brownell breaks down Colin and Penelopes love story in Season 3 so far.

In thisera of eras, its fitting thatBridgertonSeason 3 is a meditation on shifting identity.

tothe tonsdances, asshowrunner Jess Brownell points out.

‘Bridgerton’ Showrunner Jess Brownell On Colin & Penelope In Season 3

[In Episode 1,] the ball isLady DanburysFour Seasons Ball, which is about the changing seasons.

In short, shes had a hand in some of TVs most impressionable love stories.

I make a run at operate from that place and not just make everything clean and tidy.

‘Bridgerton’ Showrunner Jess Brownell On Colin & Penelope In Season 3

Episode 4 ends with Colin and Penelopes steamy carriage ride.

Penelopes style transformation was teased for a while, but people werent expecting Colins.

Can you talk about his worldly, almost Lothario characterization?

Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan on ‘Bridgerton.’ Photo via Netflix

One of the themes were dealing with this year is the idea of true self.

Both Penelope and Colin have a bit of a persona.

Colin returns these days wearing darker colors.

‘Bridgerton’ Showrunner Jess Brownell On Colin & Penelope In Season 3

He has thisconfidence and this swagger.

Theres a much more sensitive, vulnerable side of Colin that he still needs to embrace.

This is the firstBridgertonseason to be released in two parts.

Did you know about that rollout before or after writing the episodes?

It just worked out really well that we had the cliffhanger at the midpoint of the season.

To be honest, we naturally break every season into two parts.

Was there a specific moment in the carriage scene youre proud of?

[It gave] Luke this moment to really sink his teeth into a big speech.

OnScandal, you have the taboo offalling in lovewith a married president.

So the lesson for me was about finding believable obstacles in romantic relationships.

You dont have genuine longing and tension without a plausible obstacle.

Because there isnt amajorobstacle to them getting together.

You mentioned the rom-com vibes of Part 1.

Did specific movies inspire Colin and Penelopes story?

More broadly, Im a bigNora EphronandRichard Curtisfan.

If were reaching back,An Affair to Remember.

Any movie that has great rom-com banter is something we drew from.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.