Summary

• Bridgerton season 3 is split in two parts with 4 episodes in each part.
• Major storylines and character arcs will likely wrap up by the end of part 2.
• Netflix is employing the split format for more popular shows, aiming to keep viewers invested.

For the first time since Bridgerton premiered on Netflix in December 2020, it’s being split into two parts. The streaming service has long tended to release its series all at once for everyone’s binge-watching pleasure, but that format is not the only option, with Netflix tweaking things based on the show as of late. Bridgerton season 3 is also unique in that it’s already been renewed for season 4, so its ending won’t leave viewers on an unresolved cliffhanger, but part 1’s ending could keep audiences waiting with bated breath for part 2’s premiere with the split.

After two seasons, Chris Van Dusen stepped down as showrunner to make way for Jess Brownell, who will be leading the show behind-the-scenes through Eloise and Penelope’s friendship. But just because season 3 is split into two parts doesn’t mean that the episode length and pacing will be any different from the romance show’s previous seasons.

Bridgerton Season 3 Has 8 Episodes Total

Part 1 & Part 2 Both Have 4 Episodes

Although Bridgerton season 3 is being split in two, it will still have eight episodes in total. The romance series has been consistent when it comes to how many episodes there are in each season. While other Netflix series’ episode counts fluctuate depending on the season — shows like Stranger Things have rotated between eight and nine episodes — Bridgerton has never altered its original format. Only this time, each part will consist of four episodes, with each episode being approximately an hour long, though some may be slightly shorter or longer.

Bridgerton Season 3's Full Release Schedule

Here's When All Episodes Of Bridgerton Season 3 Will Be On Netflix

While Bridgerton season 3 is being split into two parts, viewers won’t have to wait very long for part 2 to premiere. Season 3, part 1 (episode 1-4) will debut on Netflix Thursday, May 16, while part 2 (episodes 5-8) will release a month later on Thursday, June 13. After the latter date, all episodes of Bridgerton season 3 will be available to binge at once. Although there’s a wait to see how the rest of the season shakes out, the episode titles have already been released, hinting at what’s to come for Penelope and Colin’s Bridgerton season 3 romance.

Splitting Bridgerton season 3 into two parts might make it easier to absorb every element of the story, as there are several characters that get major storylines throughout the first four episodes, each of which will likely get tied up by the end of part 2. As for when parts 1 and 2 will be on Netflix, they will each debut at 3:01am ET on their respective release dates.

Why Bridgerton Season 3 Is Releasing In Two Parts

It's An Increasingly Common Netflix Tactic

Bridgerton season 3 releasing in two parts is not a novelty, as this wouldn’t be the first time Netflix has split a show into two parts. Before Bridgerton season 3, You season 4 was released in two parts, as were Stranger Things season 4 and The Crown season 6, among others. Netflix still releases some of its other shows with all episodes, but the streaming giant seems to split the seasons of its more popular shows, including The Witcher season 3 and the Emily in Paris season 4.

This is likely done to keep viewers invested and subscribed to Netflix. If Bridgerton season 3, part 1 ends with a moment that will keep audiences hooked, they’ll surely return to see how the rest of the season plays out. It also encourages longer conversations about the season than if it had just released all eight episodes at once. That said, this two-part format may not be for everyone.

Netflix still releases some of its other shows with all episodes, but the streaming giant seems to split the seasons of its more popular shows...

With so many streaming services, including Hulu and Max, employing a weekly episodic format for their slate of shows, Netflix lands somewhere in the middle by splitting its seasons in half. It’s unclear how that will affect Bridgerton’s streaming numbers, but the romance series is popular enough that it’s likely viewers will return to see how every storyline concludes and how the end of season 3 will set up Bridgerton season 4's couple. After all, there are bound to be a couple of surprises in the second half to pay off everything that came in Bridgerton season 3, part 1.