First posted 8 April 2023
Disclaimer: This was written before we found out that Ruby Barker isn't returning to Bridgerton for season 3, however, I do not believe that this fact negates the possibility of Marina being Eloise's new friend.
When the synopsis for S3 was first released it was mentioned that Eloise would make a surprising new friend, since then there has been speculation who this might be.
Some believe it is a new character Lady Tilly Arnold, and there is speculation that this character will also be connected to Benedict. There appears to be no basis for the speculation that Lady Tilly will be Eloise's new friend, except that based on her character synopsis some fans don't want her to have anything to do with Polin.
Some have suggested that Eloise's new friend is Kate, however, I don't think that is who is being referred to. We saw a glimpse in S2 of the potential friendship between Kate and Eloise, and I believe they will be close as sisters, I believe that Eloise will see Kate as an ally in her family and a woman she can be close to, however, this is something that has previously been hinted at and would not be surprising considering Kate is now the Viscountess.
My guess is that the surprising new friend for Eloise is Marina, this would help set up Eloise for her own season. In the books Marina is a cousin of the Bridgertons, and this is why Eloise writes to Sir Philip after Marina's death. In the show there is no familial connection and therefore no reason for Eloise to contact Sir Philip, however if Eloise had been a penpal of Marina's then there is a prompt for Philip to begin the correspondence by notifying Eloise, or as in the book Eloise learns of Marina's death and writes to Philip. Marina is the most logical new friend of Eloise as both Marina and Eloise have been betrayed by Penelope in her Lady Whistledown column, Eloise may feel some kinship with Marina for this reason.
In S2 I believe it was foreshadowed when Colin made an assumption that Eloise had been writing to Marina, (isn't that what young ladies do, write letters?). Knowing how S2 ended I believe this was the set up for Eloise to begin writing to Marina. We also know that Aubrey Hall is close to Romney Hall, which would have made it easy for Eloise to call on Marina during the off season.
The question is: If Marina is Eloise's new friend, does Eloise impart the news of Lady Whistledown's identity? And if she does, how will that play into Season 3.
Who do you think Eloise's new friend is and why? Do you think it is Lady Tilly? or Marina? or someone else completely?
