Lady Whistledown is the driving force of the gossipinBridgerton, and the distribution of her letters is always an anticipated moment in the show.Every member of the Bridgerton familyis very familiar with Whistledown’s publishings, although her identity is shrouded in mystery. However, at the end of season 1, audiences discover that the one and onlyPenelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown.
Inevery season ofBridgerton,Penelope takes her quill and informs the Ton about all the latest scandals and exciting matchesof the season. Whistledown’s narrations and letters are rife with drama and are very opinionated, although some are more relevant than others. While Whistledown’s reports in certain episodes are because the news is simply too juicy to ignore, some of Penelope’s publications hold much more personal meaning.
Season 1, Episode 1
Lady Whistledown’s First Announcement To The Ton
Bridgerton’s first episodecontains several letters from Lady Whistledownand, ironically, Penelope introducing herself to the community as the author ruffles a lot of feathers. Her breakdown of the Bridgerton and Featherington families is a great way to set up theBridgertoncharacters and establish who they are to audiences, but Penelope is careful in her phrasing.
It’s hard for the residents to avoid talking about Whistledown’s mysterious letters suddenly appearing around the surrounding area.
Whistledown clutches the attention of the Ton on a day that should really be about the debutante. While they are still the main focus,it’s hard for the residents to avoid talking about Whistledown’s mysterious letterssuddenly appearing around the surrounding area. However, she ensures that her first letter asserts her dominance by telling the Ton that her judgment is more important than Queen Charlotte’s.
Lady Whistledown Chooses Daphne As The Diamond Of The Season
Although Whistledown is adamant that the Ton will never know who she is, she very much knows them, establishing an aura of dominance. With Whistledown’s name on everyone’s lips,her decision to label Daphne as the season’s Incomparable is perfectly timed.Penelope sees Daphne’s debut with her own eyes, and she knows nobody can deny that the Queen’s reaction is favorable.
However, in Penelope’s home, her mother is far from pleased about Whistledown’s opinions. Portia’s youngest daughter doesn’t hesitate to pull focus fromBridgerton’s Featherington familyand place it on the titular group, although it makes sense, considering that Penelope doesn’t like being perceived. Even Violet believes that Whistledown is rather harsh about the Featheringtons, unaware that Penelope is doing this to avoid suspicion.
Lady Whistledown Dwells On Lady Danbury’s Party
In the build-up to the ball hosted byBridgerton’s Lady Danbury, Whistledown builds friction in the Ton by discussing the pressures of the first of many social events of the season.Penelope already fears being a spinster herself,but she isn’t afraid to spark the same worry into the hearts of her peers. She also happily calls out some of the male population for their “terribly rakish ways” and shames them into reevaluating their priorities over marriage.
What is surprising, albeit quite funny, is that Penelope mocks her mother’s choice of dresses.The Featherington style is undoubtedly bold and unique,but as Pen proves in later seasons, it isn’t to everybody’s taste. This letter demonstrates just how confident she is as Whistledown, especially as, at this moment, she doesn’t seem concerned about repercussions over slandering her own family.
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Lady Whistledown Shifts Her Attention To Marina Thompson
Whistledown’s sudden announcement that Daphne is no longer the true diamond is a truly gossip-worthy moment.Lady Whistledown’s decision to turn on Daphneand focus on Marina is chaotic, but it is also a clever one, seeing as she had hoped to push her debut back a year, just like Eloise.
However, Penelope’s actions are more layered than this. She knows that the Queen will hate being wrong more than anything else, and she causes conflict by suggesting this.Whistledown’s report also impacts Daphne, whose many suitors start to dwindle,which causes her to panic over her prospects on the marriage market. What’s even better, though, is that Pen pokes at Portia’s ego by mentioning that the true diamond is under her roof, but she isn’t one of her daughters.
Lady Whistledown Updates The Ton On The Bridgertons, Simon, & Marina
Whistledown continues to keep the Ton’s gossip mill grinding by feeding information over Simon’s adamance in not taking a bride. Despite this, Penelope creates more chaos by planting the idea in the mothers’ heads that the Duke of Hastings’ mind can be changed. However, she also shares the news that Colin has set his sights on Marina.
Pen tries to remain as straightforward as she can with these comments, but mentioning that Colin will sweep Marina off her “pretty little slippered feet” is one of severalsubtleBridgertondetailsthat prove her jealousy. However,Whistledown also ensures that Daphne’s reputation continues to slipby making the Ton question whether Nigel, the “town idiot,” can “reverse her rather dire circumstances,”although she likely does this simply to tarnish the Bridgerton name and to put her father off agreeing to an engagement between Colin and Marina.
Lady Whistledown Announces Daphne & Simon
Whistledown’s letter about the Vauxhall Gardens party is very impactful. Of course, while it is all staged,Penelope is quick to report Daphne and Simon’s implied courting, reestablishing the eldest Bridgerton daughter as the season’s Diamond. Pen also makes sure to assert her dominance as the Ton’s most knowledgeable by stating that if anyone would share how the pair got together, it would be her.
Pen appears to be more confused by their supposed relationship than anything else, although she seemingly thrives on the new content she has to play with. While she doesn’t mention this in the letter, it’s interesting that Whistledown starts to charge for her reports from this moment. It shows that Pen isn’t to be messed with, but also that she is very aware that she has the Ton hanging on her every word.
Season 1, Episode 2
Lady Whistledown Points Out Daphne Entertaining Others
Lady Whistledown is far quieter in season 1, episode 2, although she does start by recounting the events of the previous night and labeling Simon asa rake, a word used inBridgertonand a term from history that refers to a liar or scoundrel. Her next publication comes later on, in which she comments on Daphne’s sudden flurry of new suitors.
While Penelope isn’t aware of Simon and Daphne’s arrangement, she does cause conflict by questioning why Daphne is bothering to entertain other men when she has the Duke. Even though her comments are minimal and direct,Penelope knows that she is creating speculation in the Ton and also getting in Daphne’s head.
These remarks also encourage other suitors to chase after Daphne, which weakens Simon and Daphne’s act even more. Pen sees the two walking together, so it’s possible that she feels frustrated that Daphne is getting so much attention when she already has the attention of the most wanted man in the Ton, but it’s more likely she is simply enjoying reporting the gossip.
Lady Whistledown Reveals Nigel Berbrooke Has A Love Child
Thanks to Violet Bridgerton and her maids, Lady Whistledown discovers that Nigel Berbrooke is a far from ideal suitor for Daphne. As the news of Nigel’s illegitimate son spreads through the Ton, Whistledown doesn’t hesitate to put it in writing for everyone to learn for themselves.
What’s so great about this moment is thatPenelope shares Whistledown’s publication with her sisters over tea as if she hasn’t written it herself.Even if Pen isn’t sure whether it is true or not, she is clearly more invested in Daphne and Simon, and so she does the Bridgerton woman a favor by spreading the gossip even further.
Season 1, Episode 3
Lady Whistledown Shines A Light On Daphne’s Proposals
Lady Whistledown kicks off “Art of the Swoon” by sharing with the Ton that Daphne has turned down three proposals in a week.Penelope believes Daphne is waiting on Simon, but upon closer inspection of her words, it’s apparent that she is actually voicing her own frustrations over the marriage process.
Pen highlights that Daphne is essentially being picky and that the longer she waits, the more risk she’ll miss out. However, Pen adds that she is also waiting on the perfect suitor, which is a subtle nod to Colin.
21An Affair Of Honor
Season 1, Episode 4
Whistledown doesn’t have much to share in “An Affair of Honor,” although she does comment on how easily a woman can fall from grace if she enjoys herself too much at a party. However,it’s likely that Penelope is too distracted by Marina’s unusual behavior to write anything of note.
Season 1, Episode 5
Lady Whistledown Confirms Simon & Daphne’s Engagement
While Penelope is rather distracted by Eloise’s theories to write much as Whistledown in “An Affair of Honor,” she is quick to report on Simon and Daphne’s engagement in “The Duke and I.” This is, of course, a shock to the Queen and Prince Friedrich, which is likely a good thing for Penelope, who takes every opportunity to criticize the Queen.
However, she does cause more speculation by questioning why the pair needs a special marriage license.Pen enjoys implying a possible scandal, and this is exactly what she does by making these comments, further infuriating the Queen. While these events need to be shared, it is rather risky, seeing as Penelope is close to being discovered by Eloise.
Season 1, Episode 6
Lady Whistledown Reveals Colin & Marina’s Plans To Marry
While Whistledown’s first letter in “Swish” starts with her congratulating Simon and Daphne on their marriage, the narrative swiftly changes when Penelope grows jealous of Colin and Marina. Despite caring about Marina, her heart is really with Colin.
Regardless, Pen shares the news, which upsets Violet, who fears that Colin’s relationship is progressing too fast. Interestingly, Pen’s announcement isn’t part of the episode’s voice-over, buther sudden change in attitude toward Marina encapsulates everything she is feelingperfectly.
Lady Whistledown Spills On Marina’s Pregnancy
Later in the episode, however, Penelope’s jealousy gets the better of her. Knowing that Marina has been hiding a pregnancy since her arrival, it isn’t long before Whistledown shares this news with the Ton. Much to Colin’s surprise, he learns that his soon-to-be wife is carrying a child at the same time as his neighbors.
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Lady Whistledown’s voice-over inBridgertondoes imply that Penelope doesn’t want to do this, but she does so for the sake of Colin’s reputation and happiness. This is also clear when Pen breaks down in Eloise’s arms. While it is a cruel and even cowardly way to reveal such a shocking thing,Pen genuinely believes that Colin deserves to know the truth,but she doesn’t want to be the one to tell him.
Season 1, Episode 7
Lady Whistledown Comments On The Fallout Of Marina’s Disgrace
As Whistledown continues to report on Marina in “Oceans Apart,” she recognizes the impact that the news has on her family.The Featheringtons are at the center of a huge scandal, and their reliability is called into question. However,Penelope doesn’t hesitate to slander both Colin and Marina for their choices.
Other than Colin and Marina, the only thing worth mentioning is Simon and Daphne’s lack of guests, although this is put down to the pair enjoying wedded bliss. Later in the episode, Whistledown herself remarks that there is nothing of note to report, but she knows that the Ton, especially the Queen, is anticipating her next issue.
17After The Rain
Season 1, Episode 8
Bridgerton’s season 1 endingsees Whistledown wrap up the season’s events and share some of the lesser expected pairings of the year.She mentions that the Hastings’ ball, the last occasion of the season, could bring “anticipation or dread,”although she later congratulates the new couple on their hosting. At the end of “After the Rain,” audiences finally learn that Lady Whistledown is Penelope.
Season 2, Episode 1
Lady Whistledown Changes Her Attitude On Naming A Diamond
After the dramatics ofBridgertonseason 1, Penelope carefully times Whistledown’s first letter of season 2. However, she reemerges in “Capital R Rake” with a bang by challenging Queen Charlotte to name a Diamond of the season.Pen is incredibly confident in doing this, knowing that the Queen is keen to figure out Whistledown’s identity,yet she doesn’t hesitate to call out the monarch.
To add insult to injury, Whistledown suggests that it is her place to name the Diamond rather than the Queen. However, by the end of the episode, Whistledown decides that the idea of a Diamond is ludicrous and that women should be celebrated for their achievements. This is mainly because ofthe new Lord Featherington’s arrival, as Pen realizes that titles aren’t earned and don’t really hold any true meaning, although it is also a way of her supporting Eloise’s outlook on life.
15Off To The Races
Season 2, Episode 2
While Whistledown does publish letters in “Off to the Races,” the contents of them aren’t directly discussed by the characters. In her voice-over, she generally comments on the new season, butit’s possible that Eloise’s determination to find out who Whistledown is deters Penelope from writing anything too scandalous.However, Penelope’s secret is at risk of becoming public when Genevive sees her buying supplies for Whistledown’s publications.
