Over the course of the last 6-7 months we have received 2 solo images of Colin for season 3, the first was after Tudum in June 2023, and the second was on Christmas Day 2023. So what do these images tell us about Colin in season 3? Let's have a look at each image.
"Pirate" Colin
The image released at Tudum in June 2023 is from the first episode, and has been dubbed by some fans as "Pirate" Colin due to his piratical look in the still, so let's look at this still.
Image Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
The Look
In this still, as said above, we see Colin looking piratical, Colin has no cravat (something that he always wore in previous seasons), and is wearing his shirt with an open collar without a waistcoat. This is a scandalous way for a Regency Gentleman to dress when in public, even a working class man would wear a cravat in this period. It would most likely be agricultural labourers that would go out in public without a cravat or waistcoat, as we see Colin dressed here. We see his shirt is blue rather than white as most gentleman of the period would have worn, and his brown jacket appears to be wearing a bit at the shoulder. This indicates Colin is dressing down and potentially not advertising his wealth, which may be as a consequence of his travels. One of the synopsis for season 3 suggested Colin had returned from France, which could explain why he is dressed in this manner. France and England were at war, so dressing as if he was a peasant vs an English aristocrat could certainly have made his travel easier.
The Setting
This still is from outside of Bridgerton House, as the family appear to be leaving for Francesca's presentation, based on how Hyacinth, Violet and (what we can see) Kate are dressed, this is also based on some filming leaks we saw in August of 2022. This suggests that Colin has returned to London just as the season is about to begin, a little earlier than the season before where he returned one or two weeks into the season.
What is Colin looking at
In the still Colin is looking away from Bridgerton House, and his family, seemingly he is looking across Grosvenor Square. So what could he be looking at? It is most likely he is looking towards the Featherington House, possibly at the Featheringtons, including Penelope, returning to the townhouse for the season, or maybe just looking at the house wondering if Penelope is there.
"Angry" Colin
The second solo image of Colin in season 3 was released on Christmas Day 2023, with other stills from the season (I have discussed three of them here, here, and here). This image has been dubbed "Angry Colin" by some fans due to, what they believe is, and angry expression on Colin's face.
Image Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
The Look
Again we see Colin dressed down with no cravat and his shirt slightly unbuttoned, however, this time he is wearing a white shirt, that we usually see the gentlemen of the time wear. Colin is also wearing a waistcoat - albeit unbuttoned and hanging loose, but he is not wearing a jacket. This is a much more informal look for Colin, even at home with his family where we have previously seen him fully dressed. It is unusual that during the day a gentleman would be seen in any state of undress outside of his private rooms, even with his family. Colin's shirt appears to have a frill down the front of his shirt and this, combined with the unbuttoned waistcoat, gives him an almost bohemian artist look in this still. Colin's waistcoat is quite different to what we have seen him wear previously. Here his waistcoat is darker in colour than the lighter creams, silvers and blues we saw in season 1 and season 2. As with Anthony in season 2, where the darker colour of his waistcoat indicated a new seriousness in Anthony, the darker colour of Colin's waistcoat could be indicating a new seriousness in Colin. It should also be noted that his waistcoat is patterned with animal imagery - in direct contrast with more floral looks we have seen with the costumes of the Bridgerton women for season 3, and with the plainer designs of the waistcoats we have seen so far on the Bridgerton men. This pattern is most likely designed to ensure Colin stands out from the rest of the Bridgerton family as he is the main protagonist for season 3.
The setting
This still is for a scene in the drawing room of Bridgerton House, which fits for Colin to be in a state of undress that would be scandalous in public. Colin is standing and holding a paper, that looks like it is most likely a copy of Lady Whistledown, and he appears to be looking at someone out of shot, most likely a family member (or more) sitting on the settee(s).
Colin's Expression
As indicated above, Colin's expression has been interpreted as angry by some fans, though I think he looks more upset than angry in this image. Whether he is angry, or upset, it is reasonable to assume that his emotions in this scene are connected to the paper he is holding.
The potential scene
So, what could this scene be? As this is episode 2 of the season, it is potentially a little early in the season for Colin to have discovered Penelope's secret, therefore it is possibly related to some gossip, maybe about Colin specifically or the Bridgertons more generally. It is possible that he is having a difficult discussion related to the LW newsletter he is holding, most likely with another member of the family, perhaps Anthony or Kate, or maybe Violet, or potentially Eloise?
What do you think? Do you think Colin is angry or upset? Who else do you think is in the room with Colin? Do you also believe it is potentially too early in the season for Colin to have discovered Penelope's secret?
