Warning: This post contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 4, part 1.
NEED TO KNOW
After leading Bridgerton season 3, Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) return in season 4 as newlyweds — and new parents
Even though they are navigating a new chapter in life together, they’re still feeling the newlywed bliss
Newton, 32, tells PEOPLE about filming the couple’s second steamy carriage hookup, which he says was “little nod back” to the fan-favorite season 3 moment
The bliss of being newlyweds has certainly not worn off for Bridgerton’s Colin and Penelope.
After leading season 3, Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan return as the friends-turned-lovers in season 4, and they’re not only married — they’re parents!
Newton, 32, tells PEOPLE he was “really excited to come back this season after going through quite a rollercoaster of emotions last year” as the season’s lead.
“There’s rarely ever any time to sit in that peaceful, joyful area within the Bridgerton world — because we want to keep it interesting for people to watch — but it was really nice for me to come back this year and just get to really settle down.”
In season 4, fans get to see Colin and Penelope “live in that honeymoon, happily ever after,” while watching a “beautiful love story blossom from afar” between Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie (Yerin Ha),” Newton says.
Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan attend the Season 3 screening of “Bridgerton” on February 14, 2024 in London, England.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty
The couple are still getting up to some nonsense together, though, and Part 1 sees them revisit a particularly memorable scene from season 3 as they have a steamy hookup in a carriage while on their way to meet Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and John (Victor Alli) for ice cream.
“I know that that was a big moment for fans [in season 3], so it was nice to have a little nod back to that,” Newton says of the carriage scene in season 4 with Coughlan, 39.
“It was also just really funny to stumble out of it, because then we meet [Francesca and John] and then we just go and eat ice cream — it’s like the best day ever for Colin,” Newton says. “Some carriage action and then some ice cream — it’s his dream.”
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton in ‘Bridgerton’
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Even though they filmed a lot of intimate scenes in season 3, Newton says he still came prepared. “It’s always on my mind to be prepared and ready for those kinds of scenes.”
Overall, he says it felt “great to be back” in the Bridgerton world. “I really, really loved it. I almost feel like I’m part of the ensemble again, but really enjoying it as a viewer as well,” he shares.
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in “Bridgerton” season 3
Liam Daniel/Netflix
The carriage scene in season 3 was not only a highly anticipated moment from the book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, it was also a major cliffhanger for fans as it ended Part 1, leaving Colin and Penelope’s future up in the air.
Newton told PEOPLE ahead of season 3’s second installment that he was “blown away” by the fan response to the carriage scene.
“It’s amazing. The stuff I’ve seen online — the creativity behind people’s ideas — it’s just brilliant,” he said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
He and Coughlan made a concerted effort to ensure Colin and Penelope’s intimate moments seemed “really authentic” to the characters, as Coughlan told PEOPLE, “I think what’s really beautiful about this season is the intimacy stuff feels very real.”
Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in “Bridgerton” season 3
Liam Daniel / Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
“They’re awkward in front of one another, this and that, and all of a sudden they become like letharias in the bedroom and whatever, they get to be intimate together in a very real and beautiful way, and I think that’s what makes it so affecting,” she said.
“In those intimate moments, they find moments to laugh, and you see them figuring it out and doing it together, and I love it.”
“We just wanted to honor that because people have a lot of love for their relationship, and we wanted to keep it really true to that,” Newton added.
Part 1 of Bridgerton season 4 is now streaming on Netflix. Part 2 premieres Feb. 26.
Read the original article on People