When I began writing this post it was originally going to just focus on characters I thought could finish up their story arcs in season 3, but as I was writing I realised that making Polin season 3 could actually make narrative sense in this context. If we take into consideration how some storylines can be completed with Penelope's happy ever after, it can leave room for some characters to exit the show which in turn makes room for new characters and a different narrative direction, thus reinvigorating the show for the new seasons.
Image Credit: Netflix
With this season being Penelope's story, and her arc wrapping up with her happy ever after, it should mean the end of the Lady Whistledown story arc for both Penelope and Queen Charlotte. Additionally with this being the last season for some years that a Bridgerton daughter will be presented at court, then the need for Queen Charlotte within the world of Bridgerton diminishes even more. As Queen Charlotte's storyline in Bridgerton is weaved in with that of Penelope's Lady Whistledown persona it would be natural for the show to no longer require her as a character after Lady Whistledown is exposed and that part of the story is wrapped up. Of course this doesn't take into account the idea that the showrunner could find a way to try and shoehorn Queen Charlotte into future seasons, even if it doesn't make narrative sense in relation to the stories of the Bridgerton siblings.
Image Credit: Netflix
In addition to the Queen, the other characters that are intrinsically connected to Penelope and her storyline is that of the Featherington family. With Philippa married, and Prudence seemingly married - or at least engaged - in season 3, and as Penelope's story arc ends with her likely to be taking a back seat in season 4, it makes sense to tie up all the Featherington loose ends, including the Featherington heir storyline, and have them exit the show in a natural way.
Both of these story arcs, Queen Charlotte vs Lady Whistledown and the Featheringtons, are possibly going to get repetitive and stale, as seen in season 2 where the writers appeared to struggle to make storylines for these characters relevant, fresh or interesting, something that would continue the longer they needed to include them in Penelope's ongoing story arc. In season 4 as we see Penelope relegated to being a background character (as previous leads have been), and possibly not present for much of the season, then there will be no requirement for either Queen Charlotte or the Featheringtons to remain as main characters, if at all.
Whilst seeing Benedict's story missed in favour of Penelope's is not what I would have liked to see, and whilst I don't believe the characters of Penelope or Colin are ready for their story to be told, for these characters it makes sense for Penelope to have her season now in order to have a natural exit for these characters. This is why I have (reluctantly) come around to the idea that it was the best thing to move Colin and Penelope's story up so that these characters and their stories can be completed allowing them to exit making room for new and fresh characters that are related to the stories of the Bridgerton family. If next season is Benedict, then the introduction of Sophie and her family will easily move into the space provided with the exit of the Featheringtons, we also have (perhaps) the introduction of the Stirling family in this season, allowing for Francesca to take up more screentime than she has had in the past, and of course we could see an increase in the screen time for Sir Philip in preparation of Eloise's story.
