Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan addresses the defining Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton) moment in season 3 — their first kiss. The Bridgerton season 2 finale did not end on a good note for the duo, as Penelope, who has long harbored feelings for Colin, overheard him saying he would never consider courting her. Season 3 is set to focus on the fallout, with the pair rebuilding their friendship and eventually becoming something more.

In an exclusive interview with What To Watch, Coughlan and co-star Luke Newton broke down the couple’s big moment and what made Penelope ask Colin for a kiss. Coughlan defended why Penelope asked for a kiss from Colin, explaining that the character was at a low point. Check out Coughlan and Newton’s comments below:

Coughlan: “It was quite a big moment. We’d already shot another scene, the ending scene of us together in episode one, that day. So there was a lot going on.”

Newton: “It was one of the first things we shot in July 2022. It was a night shoot, but it was the hottest day of the year that’s ever been recorded in the UK!”

Coughlan: “The scene is brilliantly written and Penelope asking him to kiss her is taken directly from the book. It was really difficult to play that because a lot of people don’t understand why she would do that… but you have to understand in that moment, she thinks she’s lost everything. She thinks she’s embarrassed herself in front of society, no one’s going to marry her, she’s stuck with her mum and sisters forever and the man she loves doesn’t love her!

So she’s like, ‘I’ve got nothing. I’ve got nothing to lose.’ But it’s a sad moment because they kiss, they obviously have this connection, but they pull away and she goes, ‘I’ve just embarrassed myself. I’m gonna just leave.’ And in that moment, Colin then goes: ‘Oh, there’s something there!'”

Why Colin & Penelope’s First Kiss Was The Turning Point In Bridgerton Season 3?

Penelope Was At A Low Point In Season 3, Episode 2.

However, this kiss becomes a turning point since Colin finally reciprocates his feelings for Penelope.

In season 3, Penelope gets a huge makeover because she wants to find a husband and enlists Colin’s help. However, when other Bridgerton characters learn about this mentorship setup at the end of season 3, episode 2, “How Bright the Moon,” they judge Penelope for her desperately seeking such assistance. After returning home, Colin came to check on her, who then asked him for a kiss.

The moment is seminal for the characters and the show, with Penelope, at one of her lowest points, feeling she had nothing left to lose. However, this kiss becomes a turning point since Colin finally reciprocates his feelings for Penelope. This sets in motion a romantic connection that finally results in the two friends entering into a romantic relationship in the Bridgerton season 3 part 1 ending.

Colin’s change of heart sets in motion the ensuing events, such as Penelope’s potential proposal from Lord Deblin being damaged and the potential fallout that comes after. There is also the additional development of wallflower and outcast Penelope suddenly being thrust into the spotlight after entering into a relationship with a Bridgerton, and how this will affect her as a character. Furthermore, the relationship would be complicated if Colin discovers Penelope’s secret — that she is, in fact, Lady Whistledown. This was teased after an earlier episode showed Colin vowing to destroy the anonymous writer if he found out about their identity.

While the kiss plays a striking role in setting up Colin and Penelope’s romance, the season’s midpoint will take a deep troubling turn. It has at least been teased in the part 2 trailer that Penelope’s Lady Whistledown secret will become a crucial part of the last four episodes. This means that Bridgerton season 3, part 2 still has more drama to unveil, which could see whether Colin and Penelope’s relationship can withstand these obstacles.