What happens to Marina Thompson in Bridgerton? Status of the character as of Season 3

Bridgerton season 3 part 2 is almost upon us, and fans are excited to see where the blossoming romance between Colin and Penelope heads this season. In the first season of the Netflix period drama, we saw a potential love interest for Colin emerge in Marina Thompson. However, due to a series of unfortunate events, that romance did not come to be.

Bridgerton season 3 focuses on Colin's journey to find love, raising questions about whether his former betrothed, Marina Thompson, will make an appearance. Despite fan speculation, there has been no sign of the character so far.

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Marina Thompson was introduced in Season 1

Marina Thompson, played by Ruby Barker, was first introduced in season 1 as a distant cousin of the Featherington family. She was sent to stay with them because she was pregnant and needed to find a husband at the soonest to avoid any scandal. Colin fell in love with Marina, but their betrothal was short-lived as Lady Whistledown revealed Marina's pregnancy

At the end of season 1, Marina receives devastating news that George, the father of her child, was killed in battle. His brother, Philip Crane, delivered the news and knowing about Marina's pregnancy, offered his hand in marriage to uphold her family's honor. Left with little choice, Marina and Philip eventually get married.

In Bridgerton season 2, we saw Colin visit Marina at her new estate, where she lived alongside her husband, Sir Phillip Crane. They parted ways amicably and that was the last we saw of Marin Thompson.

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What happens to Maria Thompson in Bridgerton?

Bridgerton season 3 has yet to reveal Marina's fate and if Julia Quinn's books tell us anything, we know that Marina faces a tragic end.

In season 2, it was hinted that Marina Thompson is unhappy with how her life turned out. In the books, Marina makes a rash decision to end her sadness by attempting to take her own life by drowning in a nearby lake. Though her husband saves her from drowning, she eventually ends up dying of lung fever after several days. This tragic storyline is unlikely to be played in Bridgerton season 3.

However, Marina Thompson will return, at least by name, for Eloise's storyline to take place. While Ruby Baker will not likely return to play Marina's end, the incident will likely happen off-screen and there will be some mention of it at some point in season 3.

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About Ruby Barker, the actor playing Marina

Ruby Barker is a British actor who made her breakthrough with the Royal Shakespeare Company after director Phillip Breen cast her as Mary in the 2016 York Mystery Plays. Since then she had a recurring role as Daisie in the fifth series of the CBBC teen fantasy series Wolfblood and as Private Sarah Findlay in the play Of Close Quarters at Sheffield Theatres.

Barker made her feature film debut opposite Lily-Rose Aslandogdu in the thriller film How to Stop a Recurring Dream for which she was awarded Best Actress at the British Urban Film Festival. She has recently been cast in the horror film Baghead.

Ruby Barker had previously hinted that she would likely not return to the Shondaland Netflix period drama. To explain this, she said,

"I wouldn’t return to Bridgerton because A) it wouldn't be my choice, and B) when I did Bridgerton – obviously this is very much in the public knowledge and stuff like that – I had a mental health crisis."

She also said that Marina's tragic end impacted her, making it impossible for her to return.

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Catch Bridgerton season 3 part 2 on Netflix on June 13, 2024.