** Bridgerton spoilers for all episodes ahead**
Bridgerton season 1 became so hugely popular when it launched on Christmas Day 2020 that the period drama has since become one of the biggest shows ever seen on Netflix. More than 82 million households streamed the first series, and Bridgerton season 2 proved to be just as popular with Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma's (Simone Ashley) passionate love story, and again in Bridgerton season 3 as Penelope and Colin's friendship turned to romance.
But while everyone has been glued to the drama over three seasons, there is one other character that we just couldn't get enough of. While we know the mysterious writer behind those scandalous society sheets is Penelope Featherington, the actual voice for Lady Whistledown is someone entirely different and we can't wait to see her make a comeback in Bridgerton season 4...
Who narrates Bridgerton?
Bridgerton is narrated by showbiz legend Julie Andrews. Despite the fact we never see the film icon on the screen, Julie Andrews has cemented her place in Bridgerton history with her voice adding suspense and scandal to each episode as the mysterious Lady Whistledown publishes another high society gossip paper in Regency-era London.
Who is Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton?
Right at the very end of season 1, we discovered that the mysterious Lady Whistledown, who we had been trying to guess the identity of right from the word go, was actually Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan.
Penelope is the youngest of the Featherington sisters and best friends with Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) who spends most of the first series trying to uncover the identity of Lady Whistledown, despite the fact she was actually right there under her nose the whole time.
By season 3, the news that Penelope is Lady Whistledown becomes common knowledge and almost derails the writer's romance with Colin Bridgerton. Thankfully, after a passionate speech to Queen Charlotte and the rest of the ton at the end of the season, Penelope has been accepted despite the things she has written about her friends and family. The Bridgerton season 3 ending also saw Julie Andrew's voice morph into Nicola Coughlan's as Penelope's secret was out and she no longer needed to hide behind a pseudonym.
Is Lady Whistledown's identity exposed in Bridgerton Season 2?
Lady Whistledown was unmasked by Eloise Bridgerton and she was devastated to discover that it was none other than her best friend Penelope.
The revelation came as a betrayal for Eloise, seeing as Penelope had written scathing gossip about Eloise that damaged the Bridgerton family's reputation and ruined her relationship with Theo Sharpe.
By season 3 the former friends aren't talking and Penelope's secret threatened her romance with Colin.
What else has Julie Andrews been in before Bridgerton?
Following a hugely successful, life-long career on stage and screen, it is probably easier to name the productions Dame Julie Andrews hasn't been in. She's appeared in classics like Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as more recently starring in The Princess Diaries and lending her voice to films like Shrek and Despicable Me to name but a few. Julie Andrews has also had a hugely successful career on stage and TV.
