Bridgerton’s Showrunner Explains Why They Skipped Benedict’s Book

Summary:

• Bridgerton is a Netflix romantic period drama based on the series of novels of the same name by Julia Quinn.
• Until season 3, the show followed the order of the books, with each book being adapted into a new season.
• Showrunner Jess Brownell explained that Benedict's book had to be skipped because of the point at which Colin and Penelope's relationship had reached.

One of the greatest things about the Bridgerton franchise is the variety of stories. Although it must have been hard to keep up with the book releases considering how long it takes to write a novel, now that it's done and there are 8 books, not counting the side series, you're sure to find something to entertain yourself.

Whether you like the sensitive Colin Bridgerton, the witty Hyacinth, or the most relatable sister Daphne, there is something to enjoy in each of the books.

The story of the second son, Benedict, fell into a middle ground for most book lovers. While some enjoyed the Cinderella-like style of the plot, others found it to be the biggest flaw. However, the TV show's Benedict, portrayed by Luke Thompson, was given a whole new persona and brought back to life.

So much so, in fact, that the fandom changed its mind and was completely sold on the idea of his solo season. But that was before Shondaland and Netflix decided to change the order and let Colin go first.

Why Bridgherton Season 3 Is Not About Benedict

The news of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington taking the lead in season 3 not only meant huge changes in the timeline from the books, but it also triggered a wave of backlash.

Viewers who had finally gotten a glimpse of Benedict's soft personality in season 2 of the show would now have to wait another who knows how many years to see their favorite in the spotlight.

Though Jess Brownell, Bridgerton's new showrunner who will work on both seasons 3 and 4 for now, admits that Benedict is a fan favorite who deserves a lot more development, the real reason for the change was the pace of Colin and Penelope's relationship. Brownell addressed this in her recent EW interview:

“We've spent two seasons really getting to know Pen and Colin. We've been watching Pen's crush and seeing how oblivious Colin is to it. That's a dynamic that you can only play out for so long before something has to change. This really felt like the right time to lean into what's been set up with them,” she said.

While it is true that the friends-to-love dynamic that Colin and Penelope's love story explores cannot be dragged out for too long, some viewers are still upset about the way Benedict has been shunted aside.

No matter how much fun it is to follow his character development and growth story, he can't continue to be a loose cannon that the writers can exploit whenever they need comic relief.

There is still hope to see Benedict's triumph in season 4, and season 3 might as well set the stage for it. So tune in to Netflix on May 16, 2024, and don't miss any clues that point to Bridgerton's second son.

Source: EW