Netflix’s Bridgerton made a big change from Julia QuinnA series of books about Penelope being replaced as Lady Whistledown.
In Part 2, which premiered on Thursday, February 26, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) decided to stop writing Lady Whistledown’s sheet. The retirement didn’t last long, however, because soon another one appeared to take over from Penelope – without knowing who it was.
“Penelope went through so much trouble last season. She’s no longer a powerless girl who needs Whistledown to get her voice back,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Tudum about the decision. “Although he stands by everything he believes in gossiping that knowledge, gossip has power over the voiceless, he realizes that it is time for him to stop being in that role.”
Brownell expressed his delight at the departure from the book series, which has never had a replacement for Penelope.
“Penelope was Julia Quinn’s Whistledown, so we knew we couldn’t play with that revelation for too long because people can only Google it,” he added. “But now, we are playing to the expectations of the audience.”
Brownell revealed how the shakeup will affect future seasons, saying, “From Genevieve, the modiste in season 1, to Penelope as Lady Whistledown, and now we’re looking at Sophie as the maid, it’s very important for us to explore the lives of these working women, because it was a time when women had very few options and very little agency.”
He concluded by saying: “Showing that there are women who were not just satisfied with what they were entrusted with, but tried their best to make their channel more, increases the knowledge of women in this game.
While season 1 revealed Penelope as Lady Whistledown, Brownell chose not to reveal who was behind the sheet of shame. Other popular fan theories include Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) or Eloise (Claudia Jessie).
Bridgerton is no stranger to booking changes since his 2020 debut. Season 1 focuses on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset (Regé-Jean page) who were the leaders of the first book, Duke and I.
Bridgerton’s decision not to follow the exact order of Julia Quinn’s book series certainly did not go down well with everyone. The historical drama, which began in 2020, focuses on members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Season 1 focuses on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and […]
Season 2 took inspiration The Viscount Who Loved Mesuccessor to Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) as he finds love with Kate Sharma (Simon Ashley). Except for Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) is the subject of a third novel, A Gift from a Gentleman, his love story with newcomer Sophie (Yerin Ha) was not screened until season 4.
The third season instead focused on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Coughlan) as seen in Quinn’s book Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
From the show’s exit to key characters who are transgender, Brownell has found ways to surprise audiences season after season.
“I’m not trying to shake things up too much. I really believe in the idea of the show,” Brownell told Refinery29 in April 2024. “I really want to give stories and books the best possible way.”
Bridgerton is currently streaming on Netflix.
