Whistledown gives a brief rundown of the main players at the beginning of episode one, including a scathing description of Lady Portia Featherington. And in the final seconds of the season finale, we learned her true identity. However, Penelope doesn't even let Eloise explain her theory. the identity of Lady Whistledown is finally revealed to be Penelope Featherington. he asks Penelope. [Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for all of Season 1 of Bridgerton.]. California residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. Get all the best moments in pop culture & entertainment delivered to your inbox. Her Identity Revealed 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. She responds, "Lucky indeed. Lady Whistledown's gossip sheets continue to wreak havoc on London, prompting the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel) and Eloise Bridgerton (Claudie Jessie) to try and discover her secret identity. Though anyone at the ball could sense that Marina made quite an impression on the town's suitors, Penelope is fully exposed to her mother's reaction and may have used the column to poke and prod her. Lady Whistledown is both the most powerful and most elusive member of society on season one of Netflix's "Bridgerton.". While indulging in playful banter with Colin at Lady Trowbridge's ball, Penelope exposes her mischievous side. Despite the fact that Penelope and her sisters may be "ruined," her first thought is Colin. "Because of her, Colin, no one believes you are the father of Miss Thompson's child," Anthony Bridgerton tells his brother of Whistledown. Ahead of her big reveal on the season finale, "Bridgerton" writers dropped subtle hints about Penelope's double life along the way. Lady Whistledown, notably, only reveals Marina's pregnancy after Penelope has exhausted every option to stop Marina and Colin from getting married. Where did she go? The real society paper author was, in fact, Penelope Featherington, the "black sheep" of the Featherington family, who … Eloise idolizes Whistledown, viewing her as an independent, fearless woman rebelling against society. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. However, both parties refused to listen to her. "She knows nothing," Portia says of the writer. So Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) set off on a goosechase to unmask her, suspecting everyone from tradespeople to the town modiste. Queen Charlotte is curious about Whistledown's identity from her first column, finding amusement in the latest gossip floating around London's upper ranks. Keep reading to see the subtle hints "Bridgerton" writers dropped along the way. Her identity is finally revealed in the season one finale, but there were clues about who was behind the articles in earlier episodes. If Lady Whistledown is not around to witness the scandal, how can she possibly report on it? Their help seems to don the same color scheme. Was the lack of coverage a result of not being in attendance to witness any news to cover or as retaliation for being publicly embarrassed? That's right. Who Is Lady Whistledown. Society is abuzz when the Season's most promising debutante is jilted by her intended—only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue's dashing older brother—in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn's witty, charming, and heartfelt tale. She tried to warn Colin that Marina was not in love with him. Bridgerton's Penelope had the means to observe all of the scandalous happenings. Eloise … "We shall talk.". Who is Lady Whistledown, exactly? Eloise confirms that she saved the modiste, who she believed to be the writer, and Penelope seems pleased. So when Eloise comes knocking on her door later that evening with an update on her search for Whistledown, she isn't in the mood to make small talk. Obsessed with travel? Who Is Lady Whistledown on ‘Bridgerton’? deep in the throes of guessing who Lady Whistledown … Eloise decides she will find out Lady Whistledown's identity. But do you not think the boy bares a passing resemblance to Lady Trowbridge's footman?". Eloise's profile of Lady Whistledown describes Penelope perfectly. "Lady Whistledown's identity is quite protected," Penelope says, brushing off the plan and telling Eloise that her social calendar is too busy to help her hunt. This one is carefully orchestrated so you might miss it. She continues: "But what of Colin? As soon as her mother breaches the topic, Penelope hops up to propose that she push off her debut, telling her: "I should gladly sit this season out.". It only makes sense that Penelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown, and I can prove it. Looking startled as she waits for the answer, Penelope asks, "Who is she? Though viewers know the real identity of Lady Whistledown by the end of Season 1, Bridgerton likely will follow the roadmap of Quinn’s novels and delay the in … While Penelope is sweet and innocent, it is revealed that she has a snarky and witty side. The foreshadowing in Penelope's adorable nickname, Pen. As Eloise spends the majority of the series trying to unmask Lady Whistledown's identity, Jessie said she can't wait to see her character's response when she finds out who really is Lady Whistledown. Lady Whistledown Tells All! If you’ve started the Netflix show you’re probably a.) Stop here if you don't want to discover the true identity of Lady Whistledown. What else was a girl to do? Firstly the hint is her in name, Penelope’s nickname is literally Pen aka writing aka Lady Whistledown. Penelope asks Eloise what happened the evening prior, when she stopped the plot to uncover Whistledown. Lady Whistledown’s real identity is only revealed in the season finale of the show. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories. When Eloise checks in on her friend to see how she's faring after Whistledown's column about Marina, Penelope briefly answers her before leaping into questions about Colin's reaction. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! It was dark when Whistledown approached the printing press in episode eight, but the carriagemen are wearing yellow pants and green jackets — making it look like they work for the Featherington family. Believing that George doesn't love her, Marina tells Penelope her plan to run away and marry Colin. She even vocalizes her desire to push back her debut in society to continue her studies early in the season. More than anything, she's a young woman thrust into the marriage market before she's ready. The youngest Featherington (played by Nicola Coughlan) is overlooked, underestimated, and perhaps the least likely candidate to be behind the society papers or so it may seem. "It's lucky the lady produced an heir before the old earl croaked, eh?" Lady Whistledown is both admired and feared throughout Season 1 of Netflix's, The anonymous columnist provided comedy, intrigue, and a season-long mystery that left everyone asking the question, "Who is Lady Whistledown? But when Whistledown publishes a column about Marina's pregnancy the following morning and effectively destroys the engagement, Penelope's reaction can be interpreted quite differently. ", If you've read the books, then you already knew the identity of our illustrious gossiper. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. But after the writer declines to give coverage to the royal's society luncheon, Charlotte becomes determined to silence her. She usually never pressures her friend into attending events with the understanding that Eloise doesn't wish to enter society, especially when Penelope isn't attending the event herself. Penelope Featherington is smart, cunning, and wise beyond her years. Reflecting upon that event, the Featheringtons were only in attendance for a few moments before being asked to leave. "It follows that Lady Featherington is to receive what she has always desired: the season's true incomparable living under her own roof," Whistledown writes, adding, "She must be overjoyed.". Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Let us know in the comment section below. The big reveal came in a flashback to Eloise Bridgerton thwarting Whistledown's capture by the Queen - … The identity of Lady Whistledown was revealed at the end of season one, episode eight. It turns out that Penelope Featherington was Lady Whistledown all along. It initially teases the idea that Lady Whistledown is Eloise, who, in Jo March fashion, is a writerly type adamant about continuing her education and living independently. She begged Marina not to trick Colin into marriage. Violet's housekeeper, who's also in on the plan, shares the story with Mrs. Varley. Though Penelope may be naive and have a tendency to fade into the background, especially during the balls where women are being plucked and ushered toward the dance floor, she's extremely well-positioned to collect information about those around her and publish it when no one's watching. Portia certainly has a reputation around town, so the opening line could've been written by a number of people. As Eloise prepares to share her findings with the Queen, Penelope tells her to "go before you miss your chance.". cwillen@businessinsider.com (Claudia Willen), Best & Worst Refi Mortgage Companies of 2021, Price Alert: These SUVs Are Now Only $19,000 (Deal Of The Day), Expert: “This credit card is so good I signed up personally”, Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Viewers joined Eloise Bridgerton on her journey to unmask the infamous Lady Whistledown. Hopefully, a potential Bridgerton Season 2 … She is truly a wonderful Lady Whistledown and we will be waiting to see what she has up her sleeves for Season 2. Because while the anonymous gossip columnist (voiced by Julie Andrews) seems to know everything about Regency era London's high society, no one knows a single thing about her. Either way, the fact that Whistledown doesn't write about the luncheon, which was a major society event, hints at the Queen's strained relationship with the Featherington family. Penelope is visibly startled when Eloise discloses to her that she has uncovered Lady Whistledown's identity in Episode 8. Her sobs may have been partially due to sadness of Colin's feelings for Marina, but it's more likely that she feels guilty for sharing her cousin's secret. So when she does encourage Eloise to go, it raises questions about her true motivations. Simon approaches her to … Can LA's top prosecutor transform the criminal justice system? Get it? "I'm sure with Whistledown still on the loose, next season will be far more interesting," she says. $1,400 checks are coming in the new coronavirus relief bill. So Penelope may have wanted both Eloise and Charlotte to be distracted while she printed the next day's paper. While it may come off as Penelope vocalizing her nerves in the moment, the short interaction is a clue that Penelope wrote the Whistledown column to get out of her social obligations. Not to mention, Eloise is her best friend, so she is able to get the inside information on what is happening in the Bridgerton household. 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. While Penelope is sweet and innocent, it is revealed that she has a snarky and witty … Her comments were very familiar to another's way of expressing rumors and gossip. Warning: There are major spoilers for season one of "Bridgerton" ahead. The author's hidden identity was one of the central plots of the series as she shared scandalous gossip about members of the Ton. Only after Marina and Penelope had a falling out concerning Colin was Marina's scandalous pregnancy revealed. Dearest reader, the time has come to place our bets on the true identity of Bridgerton’s most sought after gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown.. "We shall do what women do," Violet tells Daphne. Keep reading to see the clues you might have missed. At a sumptuous fete, Friedrich prepares to propose but Daphne flees to the garden. Colin looks surprised by her comment, calling her a "barb." Finally, one of the most telling clues to Lady Whistledown’s identity is the timing of Marina Thompson’s downfall. So while Eloise throws Charlotte off course, Penelope is likely fleeing the ball to drop off the next day's paper at the printing press. Did you notice another moment that hinted at Lady Whistledown's identity? In retrospect, Penelope not only reacts this way because she's upset, but also because she knows Eloise hasn't unmasked Whistledown's true identity. Even though Whistledown reveals Marina's secret in her papers, she makes a point to say that her intended, Colin, isn't the father. Did you guess who Lady Whistledown was when watching the first season of Bridgerton? But, if you are new to the world of. I was almost shocked by the reveal myself, but then I realized Lady Whistledown's identity was hinted at throughout the entire season. Penelope leaves the Hastings ball early on the evening that Eloise runs into Lady Whistledown to warn her of an impending trap. Both those criterion describe Penelope, who knows more about Marina's condition than anyone. She then darts off, presumably out of the party, and isn't seen again at the event. Her Identity Revealed Oh, that's right, she went to the printing press to deliver her article. Eloise said that Whistledown was a "single woman of means...who would be invited to all of the events but not paid any attention.". ", Penelope runs into Eloise at the Hastings Ball in the season finale. The reason Whistledown doesn't mention the event could be because Penelope and her family were uninvited shortly after arriving, so it may be a snipe at Charlotte for embarrassing them. Marina is set up with an older suitor and is saved by Colin. Lady Whistledown and Penelope both reference famous poet, Lord Byron, in the first episode. Maybe it's because she's in love with him, but it could also be because she holds power to change the public's perception of her family in the future. Another big clue is the reveal of Miss Thompson’s pregnancy and plot to marry Colin. Fans will have to watch to the end of Bridgerton Season 1 to get some answers about Whistledown's real identity. While introducing Portia's daughters, Whistledown says, "Three misses, foisted upon the marriage market like sorrowful sows by their tasteless, tactless mama.". Not only does Penelope smirk when Lady Cowper tells Portia that Whistledown reports "nothing but the truth" in episode one, but the youngest Featherington seems to use the column as an opportunity to back out of her debut. Since she is quiet and unassuming, she is able to eavesdrop on all the juicy information effortlessly. Reporting on what you care about. The gossip column became less frequent during the time that the Featheringtons were excluded from social events. From the series' opening moments, Penelope disagrees with her mother's views on everything from marriage to her treatment of her cousin Marina, so it's a tip-off that Whistledown consistently paints such a negative picture of Portia.