Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope Featherington on Bridgerton, has provided a fascinating update about her character, Lady Whistledown.
In the climactic moments of Bridgerton’s first season, during episode 8 titled “After the Rain,” the show’s central mystery concerning the anonymous gossip columnist was finally unveiled. Viewers discovered that the seemingly unassuming Penelope Featherington was, in fact, the elusive Lady Whistledown all along. This revelation had a profound impact on the storyline and forever changed the dynamics within the show.
In a 2020 interview with Refinery29, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan discussed her character, Penelope Featherington, and the intriguing nature of Lady Whistledown. Coughlan revealed her unique perspective, suggesting that Lady Whistledown’s origin can be traced back to Portia Featherington, Penelope’s mother, rather than Penelope herself.
This revelation might lead some to question whether Penelope has been deceiving the audience about her true identity. However, the situation is more complex than a simple lie or truth. Lady Whistledown’s existence and connection to both Penelope and her mother add layers of depth to the character’s portrayal and the overall mystery surrounding the gossip columnist’s identity.
In a candid interview, Nicola Coughlan expressed her frustration with Penelope’s actions in Bridgerton, and she revealed that she wasn’t the only one feeling that way, as season 2 of the show further explored Penelope’s choices. Coughlan described Penelope as “playing with fire,” and her character reminded her of the timeless “nature and nurture” debate.
When asked if she was mad with Penelope, Coughlan replied affirmatively, saying that she was indeed mad with her character.
Despite being critical of Penelope’s behavior, Coughlan also acknowledged that Penelope is inherently “very sweet.” However, she pointed out that Penelope hadn’t received much nurturing within her family, especially due to her mother, Portia, who is portrayed as complex and unkind, not just towards Penelope but also her other daughters.
Coughlan emphasized that Lady Whistledown’s emergence was influenced by the judgmental and unpleasant traits of Portia Featherington. She believed that Lady Whistledown was, in a way, an amalgamation of Penelope’s experiences with the women around her, including her family.
Overall, Coughlan’s remarks shed light on the complex interplay of character traits and upbringing that shape Penelope’s actions and the creation of Lady Whistledown’s persona.
As Penelope’s season on Bridgerton approaches its debut, eager fans on Reddit speculate that the show will delve deeper into her character. In season 3, Penelope may find herself torn between her longing to be part of the Bridgerton family and her desire to maintain her independence, embracing the darker aspects of her identity embodied by her alter-ego, Lady Whistledown.
As of now, Bridgerton season 3 has not received a release date.
Source: Startefacts
