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. 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. 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. It seems some of … Would that end her time as Whistledown? “Bridgerton” also stars Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Ruby … 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? A conversation with Philip Roth’s biographer, Blake Bailey. 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. In Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown is at the center of the ton, policing the communities morals and suppressing scandalous behavior, but who is she? Lady Whistledown, in her carriage on the way to the press. Serienstar Nicola Coughlan (34) ist schon jetzt ganz angefixt und verrät, was sie sich vor allem für ihren Charakter Penelope Featherington wünscht! 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. Eloise clearly doesn’t know that her best friend is secretly a one-woman TMZ. 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. Actress Nicola Coughlan, beloved for her work on Derry Girls, takes on her next big role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's period romp. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Whistledown is the center of the ton's operating systems - of morality, governance, fashion - precisely because they're broken. 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. Penelope has a huge crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and didn’t want him marrying Marina, as she was misleading him. 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? By Alyssa Morin Feb 20, 2021 11:53 PM Tags The fact that Penelope is Whistledown does set up some enticing places for Bridgerton to potentially visit in future seasons. Bridgerton's genius was in presenting something nostalgic and classic, but with a modern spin. 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. Crackenthorpe was the anonymous author behind the Female Tatler, … BRIDGERTON has thrilled fans with it’s Gossip Girl style narrative. What, exactly, will that look like? That’s exactly what Bridgerton does in one of the last scenes of episode eight. Everybody else, though, may have been a bit blindsided. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton was chosen by popular vote as one of Romance Writers of America’s Top Ten Books of 2002. Oh, you read the books? Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan just shared a major detail from her character Penelope's first scene. 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. 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. 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. Like the noughties teen drama, the Netflix show sees anonymous writer Lady Whistledown report on scandalous events involvin… Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown, ... Bridgerton characters Penelope Featherington ... “Mrs. Bet you didn’t see that coming, did you? 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. 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. Giving Ross a few extra days to get his leather pants back on and get out of that bathroom. In a flashback to the night before, we see something Eloise did not: Lady Whistledown lowering her hood to reveal that she’s actually …. 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. Rian Johnson, we’re here to help you out, and you’re welcome. 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. Netflix's Bridgerton reveals the true identity of Lady Whistledown in the season one finale. 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. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. 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. Simon is a veteran editor who has been writing online since 2010 - long before anyone wanted to read his work. Never mind, then, you definitely saw it coming. All rights reserved. Gossip Girl waited for six seasons before confirming the identity of its actual Gossip Girl. But Bridgerton couldn’t last more than one before spilling the beans about who Lady Whistledown is. 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. 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 … 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. But as Lady Whistledown, she snatches her relevance and claims it. 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. He loves Clueless. Penelope Featherington. By the season’s end, we realize that we’ve been conned by Penelope just as effectively as everyone within the series has. Penelope Featherington is the youngest Featherington child. From a sweet, shaggy dog to McDreamy on a beach. 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. This one is carefully orchestrated so you might miss it. Here, we reveal the true identity of Lady Whistledown … 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. Get the scoop, below! Penelope, fundamentally, is driven by how respectable society treats her, but not enough to burn what are oppressive systems down. Armie Hammer Exits Tracy Letts’s Broadway Play. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Governor Cuomo announced that indoor performance will be allowed to return at 33 percent capacity starting today. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. From mistreatment by ex-managers to manipulation by ex-fiancés. She’s deemed irrelevant. What Happens to New York Theater on April 2? Already a subscriber? 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. 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). ), Theory: Black Mask Turns Kate Kane Into The Arrowverse's Winter Soldier, Why Bucky Still Has The Winter Soldier Inside Him, Why The Flash Keeps Changing Barry & Iris's Children, Falcon & Winter Soldier's New Captain America Wanted Chris Evans' Suit For Debut, Why Everyone Loves Captain America Again (Despite His War Crimes), Invincible: Robot's Plan & Connection To [SPOILER] Explained, Grey's Anatomy Star Responds To Fan Complaint She Spoiled An Episode, Falcon & Winter Soldier Get Citizen Super Titanium Armor Watches, New SVU Clip Reveals Stabler Learning Benson’s Life After He Left, Bridgerton's Simon Actor Regé-Jean Page Won't Appear In Season 2, Star Trek: All 4 Shows Captain Picard Appears In, Explained, Ben 10’s Tara Strong Previews Upcoming Specials With Sneak Peek Clip [EXCLUSIVE], Why The Bad Batch Is More Than Just Clone Wars Season 8, Who Is Doctor Nagel? 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. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. (In Julia Quinn’s book series, Whistledown’s identity isn’t revealed until the fourth novel.) Related: Bridgerton Season 1 Ending Explained (In Detail). Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande’s Hot New Collab Would Make the Devil Blush. Which kind of makes sense. 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. What on earth does this coded video mean? Log in or link your magazine subscription. 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. 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. But her older brother rules out her potential suitors and Lady Whistledown casts aspersions on her. Of course, Penelope also succeeds at keeping Colin single and available for herself, so she is not always purely guided by a moral compass. Related: Bridgerton: How The Ending Sets Up Season 2. Like, a lot. It’s also very possible she was elevating Daphne in an effort to make her two dismissive and suitor-desperate sisters look bad. Warner Bros. Television is reportedly searching the galaxy for a new home for the series. The fact that Penelope is Whistledown does set up some enticing places for Bridgerton to potentially visit in future seasons. Penelope's alter ego comes to light in Quinn's fourth Bridgerton novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. It seems Penelope, aka Lady Whistledown, was dropping identity hints all along. 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. 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. Featuring B-sides from Britney Spears, ’N Sync, M2M, and Billie Piper. 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. The rapper was hospitalized at 11 p.m. on Friday, and reportedly also suffered a heart attack. 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. 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. "Duchess to possible princess is an achievement that even this jaded author must applaud." As Eloise realizes Madame Delacroix couldn’t possibly be Whistledown, the real deal is revealed: Penelope, a.k.a. Spoiler! 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. For now, Penelope's secret is safe, thanks to the actions of Eloise. Netflix's Bridgerton is built around one central mystery: who is Lady Whistledown? She still seems to idolise order and proper behavior, targeting those who step out of her moral parameters. 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. The LAPD has opened an investigation following an allegation of rape made against the actor. Can’t get enough of that Lady Whistledown gossip! 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. 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. 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. 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. A one-stop shop for all things video games. 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. 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. Get the scoop, below! ... (Anthony Bridgerton), Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington), Claudia … 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. She talks to T&C about being Lady Whistledown & … 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. 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. Link To The Secret Captain America Explained, The Rostov On Bucky's List Has Deep Ties To Black Widow. Her Exit After Colin Says He's Leaving. Click here to find out who Mrs Whistledown is. Could she find her true love in the future? 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. Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan has dropped a major Bridgerton bombshell. Finally, Lady Whistledown didn’t have any news to report from the queen’s luncheon. 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. 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. Eloise … She may present herself as a paragon of virtue, but she is not as honorable as she appears. 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. Is Penelope also Lady Whistledown in the novels? It may sound like s strange revelation, but there is a real world equivalence of Lady Whistledown from a very similar time period. 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. Penelope is in love with Colin Bridgerton and best friends with Eloise Bridgerton…and she is also the mysterious, influential Lady Whistledown. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. Next: All The Clues To Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown Twist. 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. The rest of Bridgerton will no doubt reveal all. Click the button below to start this article in quick view. 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. 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. 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. 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. Romancing Mister Bridgerton spent six weeks on the USA Today bestseller list and four weeks on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list. 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. Bridgerton spoilers and updates tease that Claudia Jessie has shared some teasers about what to expect with her character, Eloise Bridgerton. Bridgerton's genius was in presenting something nostalgic and classic, but with a modern spin. All of the pomp and circumstance of the Regency Era setting is about adhering to expectations and making sure that all appearances are proper. Penelope also makes a hasty exit from the party in the finale as Eloise plans her later aborted rendezvous with Whistledown. 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. 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. Here's why Penelope Featherington decided to be Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton. A lengthy but entertaining acting challenge cements the narratives our final four will ride into the finale. 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. This partly makes Whistledown the villain of the piece, because Bridgerton's aspirations are progressive. The woman who’s actually, secretly Whistledown is … Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), the most overlooked Featherington daughter with the deepest crush on Colin Bridgerton. The Lady Whistledown/Penelope element fits right into that overarching narrative modus operandi. Netflix's new series "Bridgerton" features a mysterious gossip columnist named Lady Whistledown. 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. Irish star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, reveals where "Bridgerton" might go next following its major Season 1 reveal. Yet everyone takes what she declares as gospel, without knowing who she is or who her sources are.