Fans of "Bridgerton" have noticed a trend: the leading men undergo a significant "glow-up" between seasons. Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, is the latest example, captivating audiences with his sophisticated new look in Season Three. This transformation, both physical and emotional, reflects the character's journey and adds depth to his romance with Penelope Featherington.
The "Bridgerton" Glow-Up Phenomenon
The "Bridgerton" "glow-up" has become a noticeable phenomenon. In Season Two, Anthony Bridgerton experienced a similar makeover, trading his intense sideburns for stylish brunette waves and swapping high collars for more revealing white cotton shirts. Now, in Season Three, it's Colin's turn to capture attention with a debonair style that some fans have playfully dubbed a "sexy pirate" look.
A Team Effort: Crafting Colin's New Look
Showrunner Jess Brownell explains that Colin's physical "transformation" is intentional, reflecting the character's experiences between seasons. "He has been traveling, and he comes back looking much more worldly, wearing darker clothes sourced from across the globe," Brownell says. Newton himself notes that the character's physical change was a team effort. "I think it’s when all departments align, when everyone comes together and there’s a set goal," he says. He was "excited" to lean into the change.
His hair, previously styled in a gravity-defying coif, is now in gentle waves, and his sideburns are trimmed, all contributing to a more "chiseled and grown" appearance, according to Brownell. Newton also drew inspiration from Jonathan Bailey's strong, well-shaped sideburns in the previous season. "We were very, very proud of those," he gushed. "It took us hours to really work those out, work out the exact shape, the line that we wanted." However, he joked that the sideburns didn't quite fit into his everyday life, making him easily identifiable as a "Bridgerton" cast member even in casual settings.
Beyond the Physical: Emotional Transformation
For Newton, the transformation was about more than just appearance. "For me it was all about story," he says. "Coming back and portraying this new version of Colin and yes, he looks slightly different and yes, he’s getting compliments from his brothers and and debutantes in society. But he’s also gone through a lot of emotional changes, some that he wears on his sleeve, some that are deep inside."
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Brownell adds that Colin's external transformation belies a deeper internal struggle. "Similar to Penelope, the external transformation belies the fact that while he's coming back with all this swagger, he's also denying a whole other part of his personality that he has to learn how to own," she says. This involves accepting his sensitivity and vulnerability. "I think something he needs to realize is that it's OK to have a wobble. It's OK to be vulnerable. It's OK to be sensitive. And it's OK to be a different kind of man in an era that was very prescriptive about what it meant to be a man," Brownell says.
Luke Newton's Diet and Exercise Regime
Newton revealed that he began making lifestyle changes even before he knew he would be the lead in Season 3. He wanted to improve his health and energy levels, which would be essential for the demanding filming schedule. "Going into Season 3, I wanted to change my lifestyle slightly, become healthier, and just ready to go into this season and feel like I have my energy levels high," Newton said.
He embraced the challenge of transforming his physique, especially after reading the script and seeing the line, "'Under what foreign Sun did you apparently get so sturdy?'" This motivated him to dive deeper into the physical transformation of his character.
Newton turned to meal prep companies that offered a variety of fun and healthy dishes that were high in protein, and low in carbs. A typical day of eating on set would start with a banana protein shake, followed by intermittent fasting until lunch, when he would have his meal kit. He would sometimes indulge in a sweet treat like a “crumble or cinnamon social,” especially after filming an intimate scene as a reward.
He trained every day after shooting, using the gym as a way to reset after a long day on set. "I'd train every day after shooting-I wasn't going to get up at three in the morning to go to the gym, because we'd get picked up at four or five to go to set. So I would wrap in the evening, get dropped off at the gym, and that became my routine for resetting after the day. It gave me that extra bit of mental clarity."
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Intimacy and Vulnerability On-Screen
Newton also discussed the intimate scenes in Season 3, emphasizing the importance of consent and vulnerability. He and Nicola Coughlan worked to create scenes that felt both steamy and emotionally honest. "We explore themes of consent in the love scenes, which feel really intimate and gentle but still super sexy," Newton said. "Normally in Regency [romance] it's aggressive and passionate, but I love that these scenes are full of consent and consideration, while still being really passionate. I think it strikes such a good balance."
He shared that he had been told to have a glass of wine the night before an intimacy scene, because it can really shred you," he said. "Rumor has it came from Henry Cavill.
The Impact of Friendship and Chemistry
The chemistry between Newton and Coughlan, who have been friends for years, was crucial to the success of their on-screen romance. "We got to work on our friendship first, just as actors," Newton said. "It's been five years since we started the show, so we were able to play the long game for the story. Audiences are aware of their relationship [in the books] and support it and want them together on screen. So we don't have to try and sell it. The audience is already backing it."
Coughlan added that their real-life friendship created a safe space for exploring the characters' relationship. "It felt like a real safe space to explore these scenes and find new and interesting ways," she explained.
Other Actors' Transformations
Luke Newton is not alone in undergoing a physical transformation for a role. Many actors have famously altered their bodies to embody their characters, often with significant weight loss or muscle gain. Examples include:
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- Cillian Murphy: Lost weight to play J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer.
- Joaquin Phoenix: Lost 52 pounds for his role in Joker.
- J.K. Simmons: Gained muscle for his role in Justice League.
- Jake Gyllenhaal: Lost 30 pounds for Nightcrawler and gained significant muscle for Prince of Persia.
- Michael B. Jordan: Gained nearly 30 pounds of muscle for Creed.
- Jared Leto: Lost 40 pounds for Dallas Buyers Club.
- Christian Bale: Famously known for drastic transformations, including losing over 60 pounds for The Machinist, gaining 40 pounds for American Hustle, and losing 70 pounds for Ford v Ferrari.
- Robert De Niro: Shaped up for his role in Cape Fear.
These transformations highlight the dedication and commitment that actors often bring to their roles, pushing their bodies to the limit to create believable and compelling characters.