In the promotion so far for season 3 we have only seen stills of Kate, Viscountess Bridgerton, from the first episode of the season. Leaks have suggested that neither Kate nor Anthony will be in the first part of the season beyond episode 1, however, recent interviews with the costume designer and make up designer hints at Kate being more present in part 2 of the season, and the inspiration for her costumes. What is interesting about these interviews, is what it potentially tells us about a possible story arc for Kate in part 2 of the season.
As we know, Bridgerton uses the costumes, both through colour and fabric, to tell the story of the character, we saw it in season 1 with Daphne, and to a degree Simon, and we saw it in season 2 with Kate's journey being shown via her costumes, and her hair and make-up. From all indications season 3 will be no different in using costuming to tell the story of the characters.
Image Credit: Netflix
In this interview with Vogue magazine, John Glaser, the costume designer for season 3 discussed the Indian influences in Kate's costuming during season 2, and when shifting to her look for season 3, is quoted as saying "...in the second half of the season, she becomes even more obviously influenced by Indian fashion. That's all I'll say...", hinting not only at Kate making a return in part 2, but also at a possibility of some aspects of her story arc.
I believe it is possible that in part 2 of Bridgerton season 3 we will see a storyline for Kate that involves more connection to her past and her homeland than we have seen previously, however, what that storyline looks like is open to possibilities. Naturally within the fandom there has been discussion what the story could possibly be, three of which are below.
The first possible storyline, and the one I think is most probable, is that of pregnancy. Kate and Anthony require an heir, and we know that Edmund is born in 1815, the year after their marriage, so it makes sense for the show to include a storyline such as this in the show. I have always thought that a storyline involving Kate's pregnancy could be used to explore her past more, and for us - the viewers - to find out more about who she was before she came to England. The most logical way for this story to tie into Kate's past is via her mother, as Kate prepares to become a mother herself she will of course become more focused on who her mother was, and what she meant to Kate, this also would fit in with the idea of her costumes becoming more influenced by Indian styles of dress. Also, it makes sense that Kate will return to a looser Indian style of dress during pregnancy rather than stay with the more restrictive English styles.
The second possible storyline is a general story where Kate is perhaps starting to feel homesick, missing India, and she reflects on her past and home more, leading to her finding comfort in familiar things from home, including the style of dress. I don't see this as a likely story, it is boring and shows no growth for Kate, and would last about half an episode.
A third possible storyline I have seen floating around the internet is that in part 2 we get some flashbacks/memories of Kate and Anthony's wedding and honeymoon. In this article from Grazia India Erika Okvist talks about Kate and Anthony going to India on their honeymoon (I am trying very hard to forget that they wouldn't have been able to do the trip within 6 months), and I have seen it suggested that we could see aspects of this in part 2. Kate's wedding, and a return to India, would certainly ground her back in the traditions, including dress, from her homeland. As much as I would love to see these flashbacks I don't see them as likely at all.
We won't know for sure how Kate's story will evolve in part 2 until June, and with that we won't know to what degree her costumes are influenced by her homeland, but I am hoping we will see her in a Saree. My biggest hope the direction of her costumes and dress is for it to be meaningful and not something that we see in passing, or once, and there is no follow through.
