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After two seasons of Regency-era will they, won\u2019t they, Bridgerton<\/em> season three<\/a> finally turns its gaze toward the Ton\u2019s wallflowers\u2014Colin and Penelope,<\/a> played by Luke Newton<\/strong> and Nicola Coughlan.<\/strong> Just like the show\u2019s two<\/a> previous seasons<\/a>, the third installment of the Netflix series is based on a Julia Quinn<\/strong> novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton,<\/em> which was originally published in 2002.<\/p>\n Showrunner Jess Brownell<\/strong><\/a> previously told Vanity Fair<\/em> that she isn\u2019t beholden to the books, using them as a creative guide rather than gospel. \u201cMy approach is to adapt the emotional spirit of the book, and then also some of the key moments,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause TV is a different medium, we have to fill in the plot a bit more and create more turns and twists.\u201d<\/p>\n That also means creating compelling storylines for the supporting characters in Bridgerton<\/em>\u2019s sprawling ensemble cast. This season, the Featherington sisters (Harriet Cains, Bessie Carter<\/strong>) hilariously compete to create a male heir, the Mondriches (Martins Imhangbe,<\/strong> Emma Naomi<\/strong>) get an education on society life after their son comes into a prized inheritance, and even resident mean girl Cressida Cowper<\/a> (Jessica Madsen<\/strong>) inches her way towards a redemption arc\u2014all side plots invented by the show\u2019s writers.<\/p>\n But rest assured, several beloved moments from the books have also made the journey to the screen. \u201cThere are certain moments from the book\u2014like the carriage moment, like the illusion to this mirror moment in the book\u2026. Those were moments that we felt were really important to keep,\u201d Brownell says.<\/p>\n Ahead, take a look at the most distinct changes from page to stage on Bridgerton<\/em> this season, including intriguing new love interests and a certain hotly anticipated carriage ride.<\/p>\n Benedict\u2019s Book Put on Pause<\/strong><\/p>\n The first major departure from the book to series occurred before production had even begun. Instead of focusing on second son Benedict\u2019s (Luke Thompson<\/strong>) love story, as explored in the third Bridgerton<\/em> novel, An Offer From a Gentleman,<\/em> the show skips ahead to Colin and Penelope\u2019s romance, which is the focus of Quinn\u2019s fourth book. \u201cThe decision to switch to Colin and Penelope was made between myself and Shonda,\u201d Brownell previously told VF<\/em><\/a> (that would be Shonda Rhimes,<\/strong> Bridgerton<\/em> cocreator). \u201cSeason two hadn\u2019t wrapped yet, so there was still time to influence the ending of season two to set it up properly for season three. And we both just felt strongly that\u2026we know these characters really well. We\u2019ve watched this dynamic where Colin doesn\u2019t quite get it that Penelope likes him, and we felt like we didn\u2019t want that to grow stale.\u201d<\/p>\n This shift has skewed a few time markers from the book\u2014namely, Kate (Simone Ashley<\/strong>) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey<\/strong>) do not yet have two children, and Colin and Penelope are ages 20 and 22, as opposed to 28 and 33, respectively.<\/p>\n Penelope\u2019s Transformation<\/strong><\/p>\n In both the book and series, Penelope ditches her sour citrus wardrobe and tight poodle curls for a new look\u2014one that feels less like her oppressive Featherington family and more like herself. But the novel frustratingly incorporates weight loss into Penelope\u2019s glow-up. Quinn writes that Penelope could \u201cnow call herself \u2018pleasantly rounded\u2019 rather than \u2018a hideous pudge.\u2019\u201d Remarks like that one are mercifully cut from the show. \u201cWe think that Penelope is beautiful, and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s really a part of her story,\u201d Brownell told Variety<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n