Should Bridgerton be green-lit for a second season, Coughlan hopes that Penelope will be able to invoke more of her Whistledown self-assurance in her day-to-day life. Netflix's Bridgerton is built around one central mystery: who is Lady Whistledown? The fact that Penelope is Whistledown does set up some enticing places for Bridgerton to potentially visit in future seasons. He loves Clueless. Now that Colin Bridgerton has set off to travel the world, Penelope's true desire is out of the picture and she can arguably focus more on policing the ton's morals. Gossip Girl waited for six seasons before confirming the identity of its actual Gossip Girl. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. Romancing Mister Bridgerton spent six weeks on the USA Today bestseller list and four weeks on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list. Serienstar Nicola Coughlan (34) ist schon jetzt ganz angefixt und verrät, was sie sich vor allem für ihren Charakter Penelope Featherington wünscht! What Happens to New York Theater on April 2? Whistledown is the center of the ton's operating systems - of morality, governance, fashion - precisely because they're broken. And of course, Whistledown will have to do so as Eloise continues to investigate, possibly out of her own obsessive intrigue rather than a desire to expose. This season is rife with deceptions and cover-ups, most notably the scheme by Daphne and Simon to pretend to be courting each other so that Daphne can attract more suitor options. Related: Bridgerton Season 1 Ending Explained (In Detail). She’s deemed irrelevant. Which kind of makes sense. The same can be said of Penelope, who, like far too many of the young women on this show, doesn’t even understand how sex works, let alone what could be motivating all the people in town. Penelope is likely someone you least expected, but if you’re a reader of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels, then you already knew Penelope is Lady Whistledown herself. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. Crackenthorpe was the anonymous author behind the Female Tatler, … Warner Bros. 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She talks to T&C about being Lady Whistledown & … Eloise … In Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown is at the center of the ton, policing the communities morals and suppressing scandalous behavior, but who is she? It may sound like s strange revelation, but there is a real world equivalence of Lady Whistledown from a very similar time period. Can’t get enough of that Lady Whistledown gossip! Romancing Mr. Bridgerton was chosen by popular vote as one of Romance Writers of America’s Top Ten Books of 2002. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, We See Taylor Swift Is Up to Her Old Tricks Again, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Ariana Grande Are All Under One Roof Now, DMX Is Hospitalized and in Critical Care After Suffering an Overdose. Penelope has a huge crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and didn’t want him marrying Marina, as she was misleading him. To allude to another Netflix favorite from this year, everyone on Bridgerton thinks they’re playing chess, but it’s really Penelope who is dictating what move each player will make next. In her regular life, Penelope is viewed by many, including her own mother, as a person who can be skipped over, a sweet young lady who’s too mousy and awkward to attract a viable suitor for herself. Everybody else, though, may have been a bit blindsided. The Lady Whistledown/Penelope element fits right into that overarching narrative modus operandi. That is clearly part of why she hides her identity, not to mention the access anonymity gives her and the likely repercussions to her and her family if all was revealed. But the answer of who Whistledown is extends beyond just the revelation of Penelope Featherington: it's a loaded sting in the season's tail that poses even more questions. Penelope Featherington is revealed as Lady Whistledown in the Bridgerton season 1 finale, which is a twist that adds yet more heartbreak to her story. Bridgerton spoilers and updates tease that Claudia Jessie has shared some teasers about what to expect with her character, Eloise Bridgerton. Whistledown has created a matriarchal power system, but is upholding patriarchal standards through it and as Penelope bemoans her own liminal status on the edge of society, she's also reinforcing them. Nah, just kidding, Andrews is the voice of Whistledown’s writing on Bridgerton. Bet you didn’t see that coming, did you? *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. There's no hint in the show of how Pen initially finances the free release of the first papers, she will have amassed considerable wealth from the subsequent charged releases, ensuring her own financial independence in defiance of the age. The Shondaland-made, Regency-era-set romance mixed in elements of gentle farce, outright comedy, drama, and swoon-inducing Jane Austen magic and captured its audience's attentions to the extent that it's now one of Netflix's most watched original series ever. All rights reserved. Log in or link your magazine subscription. The prospect of her finding out should create some tension in future episodes, particularly since Eloise clearly admires Lady Whistledown and may feel pangs of jealousy, or even disappointment, when she realizes her idol is actually Penelope. Get the scoop, below! Here's why Penelope Featherington decided to be Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton. BRIDGERTON has thrilled fans with it’s Gossip Girl style narrative. “Bridgerton” also stars Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Ruby … Never mind, then, you definitely saw it coming. Netflix's Bridgerton reveals the true identity of Lady Whistledown in the season one finale. The fact that Penelope is Whistledown does set up some enticing places for Bridgerton to potentially visit in future seasons. Basil and Ely Kreimendahl Offered Me Free Maple Syrup, It’s Cute Couples Week over here at “Follow Friday.”, 9 Revelations From Demi Lovato’s Heartbreaking New Album. Featuring B-sides from Britney Spears, ’N Sync, M2M, and Billie Piper. Now that we know Penelope is the writer of that Bridgerton zine, we can see in retrospect how she used her role to bend the season of spouse-hunting to her liking. As Eloise realizes Madame Delacroix couldn’t possibly be Whistledown, the real deal is revealed: Penelope, a.k.a. From a sweet, shaggy dog to McDreamy on a beach. All of the pomp and circumstance of the Regency Era setting is about adhering to expectations and making sure that all appearances are proper. Other publications would focus on scandals as a means to whip up interest, but Crackenthorpe - whose official billing was "a Lady who knows every thing" according to 'The History and Authorship of Mrs. Crackenthorpe's "Female Tatler"'by Paul Bunyan Anderson. Armie Hammer Exits Tracy Letts’s Broadway Play. While most newspapers of the Regency Era were dedicated to politics, crime, fashion and royalty, there was a satirical paper put out called Female Tatler, by anonymous writer "Mrs. Crackenthorpe," which was, uncharacteristically aimed at women and which strayed into gossip. By placing Penelope in the Lady Whistledown role, it’s correcting an imbalance of another kind, taking someone deemed forgettable by a society fixated on beauty and status and making her the most powerful person in that society. The woman who’s actually, secretly Whistledown is … Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), the most overlooked Featherington daughter with the deepest crush on Colin Bridgerton. It will shape the future, with Bridgerton season 2 very much an inevitability and reframes much of what the audience came to know about the figure behind the papers. Penelope also makes a hasty exit from the party in the finale as Eloise plans her later aborted rendezvous with Whistledown. Throughout the series, the audience is invited to follow Eloise Bridgerton as she seeks clues to the scandal-sharing socialite's true identity, and by season one's end, the shock is revealed. What, exactly, will that look like? This is a slightly different twist on the sort of unreliable narration found in Jane Austen’s works, like Pride & Prejudice and, most especially, Emma. The rest of Bridgerton will no doubt reveal all. What on earth does this coded video mean? From mistreatment by ex-managers to manipulation by ex-fiancés. The normally shy Featherington shines a coquettish smile as she unveils herself to the audience towards the end of "After The Rain," suggesting she takes some pleasure in her role writing the scandal papers. Whistledown targets those who aren't immaculate in aesthetic or integrity, but the reality of the ton is that everyone has secrets; some good, some bad. Bridgerton is an American streaming television period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes.It is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency era London's ton during the season, when debutantes are presented at court.Bridgerton is Shonda Rhimes's first scripted Netflix series.. Bridgerton premiered on Netflix on December 25, 2020. Lady Whistledown, in her carriage on the way to the press. Like, a lot. Click here to find out who Mrs Whistledown is. If you’re like me, you may have mixed feelings about dropping this piece of information in season one since, assuming Bridgerton runs for additional seasons, the mystery surrounding the gossip columnist could have been milked for a good while longer. ... (Anthony Bridgerton), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Claudia … Plus, Queen Charlotte is unlikely to have turned off her own desire to reveal Whistledown's identity after the slight against her in season one, so it's all poised for further drama in the ton. Penelope pushes Eloise to share her new theory that Whistledown is a tradesperson with the Queen at that evening's concert, perhaps as a way of leading the royal down the wrong track. Yes, there were some outdated tropes and an opportunity to be a little more challenging, but the likes of Bridgerton, Downton Abbey and The Crown are successful precisely because they adhere to genre. Yet everyone takes what she declares as gospel, without knowing who she is or who her sources are. Link To The Secret Captain America Explained, The Rostov On Bucky's List Has Deep Ties To Black Widow. There may be shades of Jane Austen in this Shondaland joint, but it is first and foremost a soapy romance, and soapy romances run like action movies: on engines that are always revved and ready to get to the next destination. Of course, Penelope’s reveal as Lady Whistledown makes sense in terms of Bridgerton‘s story.Season 1 saw Penelope as one of the many women in London high society trying to … He referred to her as omniscient and confirmed that her revelations caused outrage by the families in question, though her true identity was never revealed. She could open the ton to progressive "sub-culture" behavior, like allowing Sir Henry Granville's community to exist without persecution, but there's very much the sense that his homosexuality would be punished through revelation in her papers. With all hints pointing towards Anthony being the main character in season 2 of Bridgerton and his "rake" reputation so far fairly well protected, it may well be that he becomes her prime target. She may present herself as a paragon of virtue, but she is not as honorable as she appears. Already a subscriber? When Lady Whistledown declared Daphne to be the “diamond” of the debutante scene, she was actually helping the family of her best friend and the man she loves. Here, we reveal the true identity of Lady Whistledown … That’s exactly what Bridgerton does in one of the last scenes of episode eight. But who is Lady Whistledown as an individual, as a construct and as a story pillar and what does she mean for Netflix show going forward? Bridgerton book readers don’t discover that Penelope is Lady Whistledown — or the depths of her feelings for Colin Bridgerton — until Book 4, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. "Duchess to possible princess is an achievement that even this jaded author must applaud." This one is carefully orchestrated so you might miss it. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown, ... Bridgerton characters Penelope Featherington ... “Mrs. The Whistledown mystery was at the heart of the story, but it, crucially, was only part of the narrative tapestry as the relationships between characters was the true star of the show. It seems some of … Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown Twist Explained: Identity, Meaning & Future, Bridgerton Season 1 Ending Explained (In Detail), Bridgerton: How The Ending Sets Up Season 2, All The Clues To Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown Twist, Why Simon Isn't Returning In Bridgerton Season 2 (& What About Daphne? Bridgerton's genius was in presenting something nostalgic and classic, but with a modern spin. Governor Cuomo announced that indoor performance will be allowed to return at 33 percent capacity starting today. But it’s also clear that Penelope will use her alter ego to reset situations back on to what she perceives as a fairer course, which is why Lady Whistledown eventually does break the news that Marina is expecting, protecting Colin from walking blindly into their marriage. What Bridgerton does on a broader scale is correct the balance of what has traditionally been imbalanced in such period pieces, particularly by giving Black men and women the same stature and agency as the white people who typically dominate shows and movies like this. This partly makes Whistledown the villain of the piece, because Bridgerton's aspirations are progressive. That said, Whistledown's identity was still the narrative blue chip, and though the revelation was a last minute addition, it was still a huge moment. Netflix's new series "Bridgerton" features a mysterious gossip columnist named Lady Whistledown. Actress Nicola Coughlan, beloved for her work on Derry Girls, takes on her next big role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's period romp. But her older brother rules out her potential suitors and Lady Whistledown casts aspersions on her. A show in which everyone’s hot to rip each other’s clothes off would naturally be just as eager to yank the mask off its secret disseminator of all the rumors that are fit (or unfit) to print. It takes a while to realize that Emma’s characterizations of events may not be fully accurate because what she tells the reader is based on her incredibly blinkered worldview. Penelope, fundamentally, is driven by how respectable society treats her, but not enough to burn what are oppressive systems down. A one-stop shop for all things video games. Could she find her true love in the future? Related: Bridgerton: How The Ending Sets Up Season 2. A conversation with Philip Roth’s biographer, Blake Bailey. Oh, you read the books? But Bridgerton couldn’t last more than one before spilling the beans about who Lady Whistledown is. There’s more to this crime-thriller series from action maestro Gareth Evans than just bloody mayhem, but none of it transcends the bloody mayhem. Yes, the quick witted and outspoken anonymous gossip columnist (played by Nicola Coughlan and voiced by Julie Andrews) is the shy and unassuming best friend of Eloise, and also secretly desperately in love with Colin Bridgerton.It's this unrequited infatuation that gave us the biggest hint to her identity earlier in the season—but we'll get to that in a moment. She is indeed – not that we, or indeed any of the other characters, find out until book four of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series. Bridgerton's genius was in presenting something nostalgic and classic, but with a modern spin. Those seeking free expression - of identity, gender, sexuality or artistry - are effectively driven behind closed doors by the same attempt to bring justice to those who dishonor women, their family or their duty (like Lord Featherington). Penelope Featherington is the youngest Featherington child. It’s also very possible she was elevating Daphne in an effort to make her two dismissive and suitor-desperate sisters look bad. Penelope is engaged in an even more complicated ruse, one that involves presenting a false identity and disseminating information that doesn’t necessarily reflect the objective truth. It seems Penelope, aka Lady Whistledown, was dropping identity hints all along. But the answer of who Whistledown is extends beyond just the revelation of Penelope Featherington: it's a loaded sting in the season's tail that poses even more questions. Irish star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, reveals where "Bridgerton" might go next following its major Season 1 reveal. After all, contrasting the Incomparable with her rake brother who has historically mired himself in controversy - particularly when he has expressed his desire to find a wife - would provide bountiful narrative drama. Eloise (Claudia Jessie), convinced that Mrs. Whistledown is Genevieve Delacroix (Kathryn Drysdale), the town modiste, dashes to the printer to warn her that some of the queen’s minions are planning to ambush her before she publishes her next newsletter. The need to continue keeping this secret from the rest of the Featheringtons and Colin, not to mention the queen, should also provide plenty of fodder for Bridgerton to explore. The real society paper author was, in fact, Penelope Featherington, the "black sheep" of the Featherington family, who was, in fact, the most in tune with the fashions of society despite sitting on its edge. Eloise successfully does so but doesn’t see who Whistledown is, only realizing the next day, after her brother Benedict (Luke Thompson) mentions that he spent the previous evening with Genevieve, that she couldn’t possibly be the modiste. Penelope Featherington. Giving Ross a few extra days to get his leather pants back on and get out of that bathroom. Though she plays a pivotal role in “Bridgerton,” it’s not until the final moments of the Season 1 finale that viewers find out the identity of Lady Whistledown — but boy, is it worth the wait. But as Lady Whistledown, she snatches her relevance and claims it. Her Exit After Colin Says He's Leaving. On the other hand, the disclosure is in keeping with the qualities that Bridgerton establishes for itself throughout the first season: Its plot developments come quickly, the changes of heart for its characters come even more quickly (loved it when Simon announced two seconds after going down on Daphne in a stairwell that he’d emotionally detach from their marriage if she turned out not to be pregnant), and the twists never take a holiday. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan just shared a major detail from her character Penelope's first scene. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Click the button below to start this article in quick view. The LAPD has opened an investigation following an allegation of rape made against the actor. Pen aches to be the thing Whistledown most cherishes: the perfect debutante, but she doesn't fit the model, so she seeks to ensure the integrity of that model is upheld, somewhat counterproductively. Of course, Penelope also succeeds at keeping Colin single and available for herself, so she is not always purely guided by a moral compass. Penelope is in love with Colin Bridgerton and best friends with Eloise Bridgerton…and she is also the mysterious, influential Lady Whistledown. (In Julia Quinn’s book series, Whistledown’s identity isn’t revealed until the fourth novel.) The series did a quite skillful job of tossing enough Whistledown candidates into the realm of possibility — Genevieve, Queen Charlotte, even Eloise herself — that many viewers may not have begun to suspect Penelope. Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande’s Hot New Collab Would Make the Devil Blush. Only a small number of people know the truth - presumably her she uses different coach drivers each time, but the printer must be aware at the very least - and Whistledown as yet has no reason to stop her papers circulating. Get the scoop, below! Would that end her time as Whistledown? Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan has dropped a major Bridgerton bombshell. Simon is a veteran editor who has been writing online since 2010 - long before anyone wanted to read his work. As Whistledown, Penelope is an unreliable narrator, not only because she’s hiding behind a pseudonym but also because she’s not transparent about the biases that dictate what she publishes. A lengthy but entertaining acting challenge cements the narratives our final four will ride into the finale. At the very end of the first episode of Bridgerton season one, of course, Whistledown's secret is finally revealed, with Eloise unwittingly discovering that her prime suspect, Madame Delacroix, had an alibi, disproving the intrepid Bridgerton's theory. Rian Johnson, we’re here to help you out, and you’re welcome. Whether it seems too soon or just right to reveal Penelope’s side hustle at this stage, the fact that Penelope is Whistledown works as a clever touch for a few different reasons. She still seems to idolise order and proper behavior, targeting those who step out of her moral parameters. Penelope's alter ego comes to light in Quinn's fourth Bridgerton novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. For now, Penelope's secret is safe, thanks to the actions of Eloise. Spoiler! By Alyssa Morin Feb 20, 2021 11:53 PM Tags And it's all because the residents of the ton are terrified of the revelation of their own truths: they read the society papers expecting themselves to appear and hoping they don't. Like the noughties teen drama, the Netflix show sees anonymous writer Lady Whistledown report on scandalous events involvin… It’s a testament to Penelope’s integrity that she didn’t plaster the news of Marina’s pregnancy all over the place right away, proving that she values her relationships over a good scoop. Eloise clearly doesn’t know that her best friend is secretly a one-woman TMZ. In a flashback to the night before, we see something Eloise did not: Lady Whistledown lowering her hood to reveal that she’s actually …. By the season’s end, we realize that we’ve been conned by Penelope just as effectively as everyone within the series has. Is Penelope also Lady Whistledown in the novels? The rapper was hospitalized at 11 p.m. on Friday, and reportedly also suffered a heart attack. Finally, Lady Whistledown didn’t have any news to report from the queen’s luncheon. Next: All The Clues To Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown Twist.