From the moment her first scandal sheet was distributed amongst Londoners eager for gossip, Lady Whistledown of Netflix’s Bridgerton has caused quite the ruckus for the city’s esteemed; and in the show's upcoming season 3, Penelope Featherington's columnist is sure to get much worse. In the first two seasons of the streaming service’s record-breaking drama, the town newsmonger acts as the central plot’s driving force, her well-honed wit and unprecedented knowledge of London’s elite unveiling the scandalous truth behind the city’s social seasons. Penelope's anonymity also makes Lady Whistledown particularly frightening for the other characters, who are so used to knowing—and partying with—their nemeses.
Introduced as nothing more than a Regency Age tabloid, Lady Whistledown quickly makes her presence and proximity known in Bridgerton’s season 1, episode 1, “Diamond of the First Wate.” As the series progresses, many are eager to find out who in the upmost’s inner circle is gabbing freely about their personal lives, and profiting from it. It isn’t until the end of Season 1 that viewers are made privy to Lady Whistledown’s true identity in Penelope Featherington, the youngest Featherington child and the Ton’s most infamous eavesdropper. As Lady Whistledown, Penelope’s sharp tone and savvy reporting disrupt the lives of those closest to her and her family. A problem is soon to arise for Penelope and her column after Netflix’s announcement that Bridgerton’s season 3 will focus on Colin Bridgerton and his friends-to-lovers romance with none other than Lady Whistledown herself.
With her scandal sheets so notorious for covering the deep romantic secrets of the upper fold, it’s hard to believe that Penelope wouldn't do everything she could to hide her own secrets, even creating chaos using the overwhelming influence of her column. Because of this, season 3 of Bridgerton is soon to see a mass undertaking by Lady Whistledown, much worse than anything we've seen from her in previous seasons. The gossip will get juicer, the passion will get deeper, and the stakes will be raised in order to protect Penelope’s secret.
There are several reasons why Penelope will take a no-holds-barred approach when maintaining her anonymity as Lady Whistledown, the first being what the column has already cost her personally. Season 2 of Bridgerton details the dissolution of Penelope’s friendship with Eloise Bridgerton after Eloise discovers Penelope’s secret identity. Even though Penelope chooses to continue with her writing after their fight, she won’t risk losing more friendships or romance because of her career. To do this, she'll have to up the ante on Lady Whistledown's gossip, worsening the circumstances for her peers to keep all eyes off her.
Another reason Penelope won’t hold back in creating chaos for her peers is extremely simple: she likes it. For much of Penelope’s life, she has been deemed the societal wallflower, constantly overlooked by male suitors, female acquaintances, and even her own mother. They look down on her for wanting to study writing, for being interested in literature and learning. As Lady Whistledown, she can do all of the things she loves while simultaneously being obsessed over by those who often choose to pretend she doesn’t exist.
Most importantly, though, Penelope wants to maintain her relationship with Colin. As their budding romance is long-awaited, both by Penelope and the Bridgerton audience, nothing will keep Penelope from protecting it. Thus, Lady Whistledown has a lot of digging to do, and the London elite has no idea what’s coming.