Dearest readers, or in this case, viewers, it's time to revisit the ton as the first part of Bridgerton Season 3 drops tonight, Thursday, May 16, on Netflix, following months of anticipation.

For those who might not have been keeping up, the latest installment of Shonda Rhimes’ historical romance series tells the love story between Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton, and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), after Colin very smugly announced to his friends he will never court Ms. Featherington.

Penelope, who has been crushing on Colin forever, hears him say the heartbreaking words herself, leading her to get over him and court a husband this season. And from whatever we can gather from the teasers and trailers released by Netflix over the months, Colin doesn't seem quite pleased with the idea, despite offering to help Penelope in her endeavors.

To know when exactly Bridgerton Season 3 comes out, keep scrolling!

Unlock the gates of Regency Romance: Bridgerton Season 3 release date and time HERE

Part 1 of Bridgerton Season 3, containing episodes 1-4, is scheduled to hit the aforementioned streaming platform at 12 a.m. PT/ 3 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 16.

Part 2 of the season, containing the remaining episodes (5-8 precisely), will come out on June 13 at 3 a.m. ET.

Where does Bridgerton Season 3 pick up from?

Per Netflix, Penelope gives up her crush on Colin and decides that it's now time for her “to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters.”

For those new to the Bridgerton fandom, last season revealed Penelope to be Lady Whistledown, the anonymous gossip writer who chronicled the romance between Daphne and Simon (Season 1) and Anthony and Kate (Season 2).

Back to Bridgerton Season 3, Colin, who has returned from his travels and is disheartened by Penelope’s cold shoulder, “offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season." However “When his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly.”

Like the previous two seasons, Bridgerton Season 3 will have eight episodes. The titles of each of the episodes are as follows:

Part 1 —

Episode 1: Out of the Shadows

Episode 2: How Bright the Moon

Episode 3: Forces of Nature

Episode 4: Old Friends

Part 2 —

Episode 5: Tick Tock

Episode 6: Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Episode 7: Joining of Hands

Episode 8: Into the Light

Besides Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan as Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, Bridgerton Season 3 will see Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Jonathon Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), Simone Ashley (Kate Sharma), Ruth Gemmell (Violet Bridgerton), Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh, and more, returning to the ton.

Julia Quinn Teases Bridgerton's Future Ahead Of Season 3 Premiere: Details On Next Stories And Shondaland Plans HERE