Nicola Coughlin and Luke Newton teased their upcoming on-screen romance at a Valentine’s Day “Bridgerton” fan occasion in London.

Coughlin performs Woman Penelope within the present whereas Newton is her longtime crush Colin Bridgerton. After two seasons of significant seems to be and crossed wires, the duo could lastly get collectively in Season 3, which drops on Netflix in two components later this yr (Could 16 and June 13).

“It was scary that we have been mates to start with as a result of if you considered doing that stuff together with your pal it’s fairly like ‘Ooh,’” Coughlin stated of a few of their racier scenes. “However then we may discuss it and have fun about it and ended up fairly enjoyable.”

Newton identified that it’s not simply Woman P and Colin who’re getting sizzling and bothered within the ‘Ton, because the upscale society within the present is known as. “It’s simply steamy throughout the board,” stated Newton. “There’s a lot of folks throughout the ‘Ton which might be at it. It’s not simply us!”

Jess Brownell, who takes over from Chris Van Dusen as showrunner on Season 3, stated the blossoming romance between the couple was certain to attraction to viewers. “Colin and Penelope are underdogs in some ways,” Brownell stated. “You’ve got Penelope who’s the perennial wallflower, and you’ve got Colin who’s the third son that hasn’t fairly discovered himself. And also you get to see these characters step into their energy this yr, which I believe will make lots of people who’ve ever had an unrequited crush or felt like an underdog really feel very seen.”

Rhimes, who was additionally on the fan occasion alongside lots of the solid, stated she was excited for viewers to get to observe characters they already know start a romantic relationship. “Often we’re assembly a brand new one that’s falling in love with one among our regulars,” stated Rhimes. “This time we all know the people who find themselves falling in love. We’re already rooting for them as a result of we already know them and I’m excited for that.”

Writer Julia Quinn, who wrote the “Bridgerton” novels on which the present is predicated, stated she thought doing a “mates to lovers story” labored significantly properly for the characters. “I’m excited for that as a result of I really feel like we don’t see that fairly a lot on tv. And having seen slightly peek myself I can let you know it’s executed actually, very well.”

Whereas the solid and inventive staff are thrilled with the viewers response to “Bridgerton,” Rhimes acknowledged they will’t all the time appease everybody. “I all the time assume we’re doing properly when followers write to me their calls for,” she stated. “I really like that as a result of it means they’re critically invested. It additionally speaks to how nice the writing and the performances are, so to me that’s all the time once I know we’re doing properly when persons are indignant and have lots to say.”

Brownell additionally identified that many of the season has been shot by the point it’s introduced, which means it’s too late to include any enter from the followers. However she did tease that, for many who love Quinn’s supply materials, “there’s an easter egg in nearly each episode.”

Coughlin added that after viewers had begged for a scene wherein she calls Colin “Mr. Bridgerton” somewhat than his first identify, Brownell agreed to include it. Quinn additionally revealed {that a} fan-favorite scene wherein Penelope tends to Colin’s hand after he unintentionally cuts it has survived the display screen adaptation.

Whereas Rhimes is already prepping for Season 4, she declined to disclose who the subsequent romantic leads are set to be. When requested whether or not the artistic staff had an concept of who could be the main target, she replied: “We do, however we’re not going to let you know!”