'Bridgerton': What happened to Marina Thompson and why she isn't in Season 3
Contains spoilers for 'Bridgerton'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Netflix's 'Bridgerton' Season 3 Part 2 is highly anticipated, focusing on Colin Bridgerton's (Luke Newton) romantic journey. With drama, secrets, and societal pressures, the season promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
As 'Bridgerton' Season 3 fans are curious if Marina Thompson will return. Marina, played by Ruby Barker, was first introduced in Season 1 as a distant cousin of the Featherington family, sent to stay with them due to her unexpected pregnancy. Colin fell in love with her, but their engagement ended quickly when Marina left to marry another man.
In Season 2, Marina's presence decreased, but she didn't vanish entirely. Colin visited her at her new home with her husband, Sir Phillip Crane (Chris Fulton). Despite being unhappy, Marina urged Colin to move on. This left her story feeling unfinished, and Season 3 hasn't provided any updates on her character yet.
Fans are speculating about Marina's future in the show, wondering if she will reappear. Although Marina Thompson has exited the show, her fate in Julia Quinn's 'Bridgerton' books takes a turn for the worse. This leaves viewers wondering if she might return and what challenges she might face.
Why Ruby Barker is not returning to 'Bridgerton' as Marina Thompson
Marina Thompson's actress, Ruby Barker, doesn't expect to return to 'Bridgerton' and has expressed a desire not to. Though Marina's sudden departure from the series might seem unexpected, the reasoning behind it is quite clear.
In an interview that happened in 2023 with Digital Spy, Barker revealed that she would probably not return to 'Bridgerton.' She explained, '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.'
Barker's decision is deeply personal, influenced by the significant mental health struggles she faced during her time on the show. While 'Bridgerton' was a highlight in her career, it coincided with some of her most challenging personal experiences.
She shared that playing Marina, whose storyline is fraught with tragedy, compounded the difficulties she was already facing. This duality of experiencing professional success while enduring personal hardship made it clear to Barker that returning to the role was not an option.
Reflecting on her experience, Barker concluded, 'It's not going to happen. I've done my bit.'
How 'Bridgerton' books show Marina Thompson's fate?
Marina Thompson's fate in the 'Bridgerton' books is tragic, and if the Netflix series follows the same path, her story will end in sorrow. In Julia Quinn's novels, Marina dies of a fever following a failed suicide attempt after about eight years of marriage.
This somber event is recounted in letters from Phillip Crane to Eloise Bridgerton, who offers her condolences at the start of book five, 'To Sir Phillip, with Love.' Marina's death sets the stage for Phillip's eventual romance with Eloise, highlighting that he and Marina were never truly in love.
Marina's life with Phillip was marked by a persistent melancholy, with her only source of joy being her twin children. This was evident even in the 'Bridgerton' series, where Colin's visit in season 2 revealed Marina's somber state. Her relationship with Phillip is depicted as indifferently polite, with the couple spending much of their time apart.
Marina's story, filled with unfulfilled love and enduring sorrow, profoundly impacts the 'Bridgerton' narrative, particularly as it lays the groundwork for the relationship between Phillip and Eloise. If the series remains faithful to the books, Marina's demise will add a poignant layer to the unfolding drama.
'Bridgerton' is available for streaming on Netflix