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?
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.
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.
Here’s what we know about the internet’s latest heartthrob, Luke Newton.
What is Luke Newton’s acting background?
Before landing his life-changing role in Bridgerton, he starred in a number of theatre productions. According to his IMDB page, he didn’t make his television debut until 2010, when he appeared in the BBC Two series The Cut. He also starred in the Disney Channel series The Lodge from 2016-2017.
He comes from a musical family
According to Grazia, Newton has said that he always knew he wanted to be an actor, but he started off in musical theatre before switching over to acting, having grown up in an incredibly musical family.
His father was a singer who won the British talent show Stars in Their Eyes, while his mother is the chair of the Brighton and Hove Operatic Society, per the same publication.
Newton first realised he wanted to take the stage when he went to see his aunts play Fantine and Eponine in a West End production of Les Misérables. “Immediately, I was very young, but I wanted to play Gavroche,” he told Evening Standard.
Who has Luke Newton dated?
Newton’s character Colin is this season’s most eligible bachelor, but is the actor seeing anyone in real life? As far as we know, Newton is currently single.
In the past, he reportedly dated his The Lodge co-star Sophie Simnett between 2016 and 2018.
The singer has reportedly since moved on and is now dating West End actor Morgan Gregory. As for Newton, he is enjoying his single life and focusing on his career, per Marie Claire Australia.
Which Bridgerton role did Luke Newton originally audition for?
With Newton so obviously perfect as the third Bridgerton brother, it’s hard to imagine that the actor originally auditioned for the part of another Bridgerton heartthrob, the charming Duke of Hasting, played by Regé-Jean Page.
But something clicked when Newton read for the part of Colin. “As soon as I read that, I was like, ‘I really hope they don’t change their mind. This is the part I want, this is where I want to go for,’” he told The Independent.
How did Luke Newton get his leading man glow-up for Bridgerton season three?
According to an interview with Evening Standard, Newton revealed that he went from sweet Colin in seasons one and two, to the smouldering rugged hunk in season three, by immediately hitting the gym after season two was released.
“As soon as the second season came out, I just jumped in the gym. As soon as someone goes, ‘you’re going to be half-naked on camera,’ it makes you re-evaluate,” he said.
He also makes sure to take care of his complexion with facials before any close-up scene.
- 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?