She’s deemed irrelevant. Featuring B-sides from Britney Spears, ’N Sync, M2M, and Billie Piper. Like the noughties teen drama, the Netflix show sees anonymous writer Lady Whistledown report on scandalous events involvin… 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). 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. In Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown is at the center of the ton, policing the communities morals and suppressing scandalous behavior, but who is she? 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. Click here to find out who Mrs Whistledown is. 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. What, exactly, will that look like? By Alyssa Morin Feb 20, 2021 11:53 PM Tags 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. The fact that Penelope is Whistledown does set up some enticing places for Bridgerton to potentially visit in future seasons. 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. Rian Johnson, we’re here to help you out, and you’re welcome. 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. Never mind, then, you definitely saw it coming. Related: Bridgerton Season 1 Ending Explained (In Detail). 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. 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. 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. 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 … 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. 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. A conversation with Philip Roth’s biographer, Blake Bailey. Her Exit After Colin Says He's Leaving. Whistledown is the center of the ton's operating systems - of morality, governance, fashion - precisely because they're broken. What on earth does this coded video mean? Irish star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, reveals where "Bridgerton" might go next following its major Season 1 reveal. Bridgerton, Lady Whistledown, ... Bridgerton characters Penelope Featherington ... “Mrs. Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan has dropped a major Bridgerton bombshell. From a sweet, shaggy dog to McDreamy on a beach. Could she find her true love in the future? Next: All The Clues To Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown Twist. Log in or link your magazine subscription. 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. Serienstar Nicola Coughlan (34) ist schon jetzt ganz angefixt und verrät, was sie sich vor allem für ihren Charakter Penelope Featherington wünscht! 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. Yet everyone takes what she declares as gospel, without knowing who she is or who her sources are. Netflix's Bridgerton reveals the true identity of Lady Whistledown in the season one finale. 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. Link To The Secret Captain America Explained, The Rostov On Bucky's List Has Deep Ties To Black Widow. Already a subscriber? Penelope has a huge crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and didn’t want him marrying Marina, as she was misleading him. 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. For now, Penelope's secret is safe, thanks to the actions of Eloise. 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. 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. Armie Hammer Exits Tracy Letts’s Broadway Play. Actress Nicola Coughlan, beloved for her work on Derry Girls, takes on her next big role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's period romp. It may sound like s strange revelation, but there is a real world equivalence of Lady Whistledown from a very similar time period. Netflix's Bridgerton is built around one central mystery: who is Lady Whistledown? Oh, you read the books? What Happens to New York Theater on April 2? 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 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. Penelope's alter ego comes to light in Quinn's fourth Bridgerton novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. 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. 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? As Eloise realizes Madame Delacroix couldn’t possibly be Whistledown, the real deal is revealed: Penelope, a.k.a. 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. But her older brother rules out her potential suitors and Lady Whistledown casts aspersions on her. 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. Get the scoop, below! All of the pomp and circumstance of the Regency Era setting is about adhering to expectations and making sure that all appearances are proper. Can’t get enough of that Lady Whistledown gossip! It’s also very possible she was elevating Daphne in an effort to make her two dismissive and suitor-desperate sisters look bad. Penelope, fundamentally, is driven by how respectable society treats her, but not enough to burn what are oppressive systems down. Warner Bros. Television is reportedly searching the galaxy for a new home for the series. 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. 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? 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. Related: Bridgerton: How The Ending Sets Up Season 2. 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. 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. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. 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. 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. Get the scoop, below! Bridgerton's genius was in presenting something nostalgic and classic, but with a modern spin.