Bridgerton fans fear for star's future as finale 'kills off' role in twist
The Bridgerton season three finale has left fans fearing for one star's future in the hit Netflix series. The finale episode of the Regenecy series had viewers on the edge of their seats, as Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) took centre stage.
Penelope finally unveiled her secret identity as Lady Whistledown in front of the ton. She went on to bid a final farewell to her writing persona, as she signed her next column under her real name.
Lady Whistledown is voiced by actress Julie Andrews, yet after Penelope revealed her secret, Julie's voice was swapped out for actress Nicola's. Fans are now fearing Julie will no longer be appearing in Bridgerton.
Many fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the twist. One person said: "THE CHILLS WHEN IT SWITCHED FROM JULIE ANDREWS’ VOICE TO NIC/PEN’S VOICE MY GOD I CANT."
"If they are taking 2 years for the next season of Bridgerton, then I need a Julie Andrews cameo in season 4 and nothing less," a second added. A third wrote: "Bridgerton S3 was spectacular (perhaps the best season yet?) but the fact we won’t hear Julie Andrews’ voice anymore???"
Another said: "nothing hurt my heart more today than julie andrews saying ‘goodbye’ #BRIDGERTON," and somebody else penned: "WAIT… DOES THAT MEAN JULIE ANDREWS WILL NO LONGER NARRATE?!"
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell has teased Julie's future in the Netflix series following the end of the third season. Speaking to The Wrap, she admitted she'd "hate" to lose the actress from the show.
“While she is, in many ways, the voice of Penelope when she was trying to hide herself, I also think she’s just become so iconic as the voice of Lady Whistledown. So we’re playing with different ideas in Season 4, and people have to wait and see where we go with that," Jess told the publication.
The Netflix series begins to stray from Julia Quinn's novels, as Penelope gives up her column after her identity is unveiled to everyone. This means Lady Whistledown is no longer present in future novels following Romancing Mister Bridgerton. However, the character will be staying in the series going forward, with Jess teasing there's "more to come with Lady Whistledown".
