Nicola Coughlan Steps Back From Penelope Role in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5

Netflix’s popular drama Bridgeton’s star Nicola Coughlan is stepping back from her role as Penelope Featherington in the upcoming fifth season.

In the recent interview, Coughlan disclosed the ‘bittersweet’ after being a major part of the series for several seasons.

Coughlan shared her thoughts on her time with the series, saying said her time on the series has been nothing short of an “epic run.” The actress also highlighted how Bridgerton continues to refresh its story and characters. Every season follows a different love story nd brings different members of the Bridgerton family and their circle into focus.

Coughlan’s character as Penelope has been one of the show’s most key characters since the beginning. It was later revealed that she was Lady Whistledown, the anonymous writer behind London’s society gossip.

The secret behind Lady Whistledown exposed at the end of season 3 after her romance with Colin Bridgerton played by Luke Newton. Penelope faced the impact of having her hidden identity exposed. Also, she resisted to pen about those around her deprived of allowing her feelings to impact her writing.

By the season finale, Penelope ultimately decided to step away from Lady Whistledown and concentration on her marriage to Colin and her life as a mother.

However, the Lady Whistledown story continued when a new writer claimed the famous identity. The character behind the new persona has not yet been revealed.

Coughlan said she does not know who the new Lady Whistledown is, joking that she is “really bad at keeping secrets.”

Coughlan admitted that she has not been informed about the number of episodes in during the fifth season, which is set to premiere in 2027.