A number of articles that have come out about season 3 focus on the glow up for the leads, Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, making this talking point appear to be a deliberate part of the promotional strategy from Netflix. But is the discussion about the glow up sending the right message to viewers. The producers and creators have often talked about the character of Penelope in the context of her starting the Lady Whistledown column, and being a woman who works and has a career (whether you agree with their assessment or not, that is how they see her), in these terms is it right that a lot of focus before her season is released focuses on her looks?
One particular article that was released recently is this one from Glamour magazine. Whilst this article primarily looks at the inspiration for the looks of the leading characters (as well as Francesca), and talks about her hair and makeup looks and the colours of her costumes, it is the second paragraph that caught my attention, partly from the way it is worded, but also for the implication within the paragraph. The second paragraph reads as follows:
"But nothing, absolutely nothing, could be more interesting about Bridgerton season 3 than the glow-up of Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton."
I am sure that the writer did not mean for this paragraph to be seen as anything but in the context of the costuming and makeup, but that it follows a paragraph that very briefly mentions arcs for other characters as well as Penelope and Colin, a reader will potentially link it back to that paragraph. Thus this paragraph can be, and has been, misinterpreted to suggest that there is nothing interesting about season 3 except the glow up / makeover for Penelope and Colin.
Image Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
Further, by bringing attention to this supposed glow up the writer is putting the focus not on the technical and storytelling aspects of costuming and make up, but rather the looks of the characters - and by extension the actors, and then having linked that focus with the description of it being the most interesting part of season 3 does a disservice to the actors themselves.
Bridgerton, as a show, is rooted in the time period and the idea of finding a spouse and settling down in married bliss (or at least contentment), so the idea that in her season Penelope is looking to get married is not that out of context for the show. Whilst in previous seasons we have seen Daphne focussing on getting married, and seen Kate focussing on finding a husband for Edwina, in those seasons changing the look of the character has not been part of the narrative of the season as it is for this season, and the discussion of the character's look or clothing was in the context of the character's arc and growth within the season. Whilst there is discussion in this article on the colour palette for Penelope's costumes, unlike in previous seasons her costumes don't tell the story of her story arc, or her growth as a character, thus leaving the focus on the change in her appearance out of context of the storyline. There is a similar pattern when talking about Colin's change in costumes for the season, the discussion doesn't focus on the change within the context of the storyline or his character growth, but rather it gives the impression it was done because it was expected he should look different now that he is the protagonist.
But is this focus on Penelope and Colin's glow ups, or makeovers, sending the message that Netflix and Bridgerton would want. I find the messging, whtehr intentional or unintentional, worrying. There is a suggestion that new make up and a change of clothes will make a man take notice, and potentially fall in love, with a woman, and that the physical appearance is important in attracting a spouse. Whilst the show runner has emphasised that they didn't want to make Nicola Coughlan lose weight for the season, something they are (rightly) proud of, is the alternative messaging any better than if she had lost weight?
Despite it most likely being unintentional, the focus in interviews and discussions around the looks for the season, being about Penelope's glow up (even that term is problematic) is sending a message that in order to find a spouse you need to change your appearance. This is where I think the way that the production have approached season 3 is a mistake. In the books Penelope gradually changes her looks over years, that the show are doing it in the season that she will find a husband and get her HEA is conflating the change in her appearance with her becoming more desirable and able to find a husband. If they wanted Penelope as the season 3 lead then her make over, or glow up if you prefer, should have happened gradually over season 2, thus sending the message it is for herself and not to find a husband.
