Dearest Gentle Reader: It looks like Lady Whistledown is not going anywhere afterall. After an explosive season 4 finale with burning questions and a major cliffhanger, Bridgerton fans have one lingering question: Who in the ton’s name is the new Lady Whistledown? Before the season wrapped up on what seemed like a clean sheet at first, Penelope Featherington (now Mrs. Bridgerton) announced her resignation as the ton’s brutal talebearer for obvious reasons. However, her successor seems to be lurking around and didn’t waste any time in picking up the pen.
Voiced by the iconic Julie Andrews and portrayed on screen as Penelope Featherington by Nicola Coughlan, Whistledown has been an exciting part of Bridgerton since its inception. As such, it was sad to see her go in season 4. However, the ton didn’t get a chance to move on from her explosive gossip before a new author took over, and this time, they can’t put a face on the writer. We explore different possibilities about who the new gossip-monger could be.
The Final Moments of Bridgerton Season 4 Dropped a Major Hint on Whiledown’s Identity
Apparently, Briderton fans are back to figuring out the identity of the author behind Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers. This comes after what seemed like a perfect farewell to the gossip-monger following her publicized retirement, which the Queen approved. However, in the final moments of the finale, viewers are introduced to another Whistledown. “Are you perhaps feeling a little shock?” asks Whistledown. “You thought I was gone for good, but far too much transpires for this author to remain silent. It is assuredly a reunion rooted in care and love. Though this time with a very different author.”
While her tone sparked nostalgia among fans, it’s hard to miss the subtle change in Whistledown’s voice and narration. The final voice of the fan-favorite talebearer at the end of season 4 sounds less aristocratic than her usual style of narration, giving off a casual air. While the less polished tone in the voice might be a big clue to the new author’s identity, the change in accent is the showrunners’ way of playing with the fact that a new Whistledown is picking up the pen.
Is There a New Lady Whistledown in the Books?
The short answer is no. It would have been easier to flip through the pages of Julia Quinn‘s books to get a sneak peek at who the new Whistledown is. Sadly, this mind-bending twist is not part of Quinn’s original book series, where Penelope is Whistledown, and showrunners couldn’t keep her identity a secret for long. Now, a golden opportunity has presented itself to play with audience expectations. As such, showrunners chose this major moment to steer the Netflix adaptation away from the original storyline, leaving fans with nothing but speculation until the next season.
Wild Theories About the New Lady Whistledown’s Identity
While showrunners can’t reveal the author’s identity yet, theories about the new Lady Whistledown have been springing up. An interesting twist would be that Penelope faked her retirement to reclaim her mantle as the anonymous columnist, which would absolutely make sense. However, it seems she’s done with that life for good. Apart from Penelope, the highest member of the ton, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), is a huge fan of gossip and never wanted Whistledown to stop. With her closest friend, Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), leaving town, the queen will have to find a new way to entertain herself, even if it means becoming the next Whistledown.
Another likely character that fits the profile is Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi), the new Lady in Waiting in Queen Charlotte’s court. Alice seems to have an interest in gossip, like the queen. Moreover, she has access to the noble households, and the role she played in resolving Sophia and Benedict’s complicated relationship reflects her desire to do more to shape society. Both Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza) also fit the profile as they try to move on after the loss of John Stirling (Victor Alli). Hyacinth Bridgerton (Florence Hunt) is also a good match with her curiosity about society. She was also disappointed to learn that Whistledown had retired, and worried her debut would not make it to the column.
As Penelope’s close friend, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) is best suited to take the mantle of Whistledown. Additionally, she always loves her freedom and often seems bored and uninterested in marriage. Araminta Gun (Katie Leung) has every reason to plot a revenge arc, and perhaps she could find her peace by devouring the ton as Lady Whistledown. Of course, Lady Danbury is not left out of the puzzle as she has the personality for the role. Besides, keeping the gossip mill running will make her friend the queen happy. As the new Lady Penwood, Cressida Gun (Jessica Madsen) is also likely to become the new Lady Whictledown, having been a victim of the gossipmonger herself.
Finally, as the newest addition to the Bridgerton household, Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) won’t have to work as a maid, and she does love to stay busy. She’s also good with disguise and would easily infiltrate the ton to reveal juicy gossip. Her friends Alfie (David Moorst) and Hazel (Gracie McGonigal) are also likely candidates for the column, with their privileged access to noble households and ability to remain invisible. Ultimately, there’s a new Whistledown, and viewers can only hope season 5 unveils the mask.
Follow Us
