Meet Bridgerton’s new leading man, Luke Newton: he’s been dubbed ‘sexy pirate’ after his season 3 glow-up as Colin Bridgerton, but which role did he originally audition for – and is he single IRL?

May 14, 2024

Bridgerton’s Luke Newton attends the premiere of season three of Netflix’s smash series in April. Photo: @lukenewtonuk/Instagram

Before rising to fame on Netflix’s smash period romance, Newton attended the Brit School like Tom Holland, Adele and Amy Winehouse, and appeared on Disney Channel series The Lodge

Newton is taking the leading-man mantle from Jonathan Bailey and starring opposite on-screen love interest Nicola Coughlan – but who has the British actor dated?

With the third instalment of Netflix’s steamy period show Bridgerton set to hit screens on May 16, all eyes are on Luke Newton – who plays this season’s male lead, the adventurous Colin Bridgerton – and his jaw-dropping glow-up.

Luke Newton teases his appearance in Bridgerton season three in this still taken in the fictional family home. Photo: @lukenewtonuk/Instagram

The forthcoming season will focus on the third Bridgerton brother as he endeavours to smooth the way for so-called friend Penelope – played by Irish actress Nicola Coughlan – the youngest of the Featherington sisters. Of course, Colin is oblivious to Penelope’s long-time crush on him, and hijinx aplenty are sure to unfold as the pair embark on London’s social season – and their very own friends-to-lovers journey.

While trailers ahead of the season’s release have prompted much hype from fans, it’s Newton’s visible glow-up for his character that’s truly sent the internet into a tizzy.

Fans of the show have been tweeting on X (formerly Twitter) nonstop about Newton’s character’s “rugged” new look. As the new leading man, Newton has big shoes to fill after Jonathan Bailey’s unforgettable performance in the last season as the family’s oldest sibling, Anthony Bridgerton.

Here’s what we know about the internet’s latest heartthrob, Luke Newton.

What is Luke Newton’s acting background?

Luke Newton appears with co-star Shun Yin in a behind-the-scenes photo from the 2019 short film Youth in Bed. Photo: @lukenewtonuk/Instagram

Born on February 5, 1993, Newton is a Sussex native. He attended the prestigious Brit School in Croydon, a famous performing arts institute that counts celebs like Adele, Amy Winehouse and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland among its most notable alumni. He went on to graduate from the London School of Musical Theatre in 2012.