Bridgerton star confirms reduced role in season 5: 'I had such an epic run'

It seems the ton will be seeing less of one key member of the Bridgerton ensemble come season 5. Nicola Coughlan, who has played Penelope Featherington since the first season of the show, has confirmed that she’ll be taking a bit of a step back in the show’s upcoming season and will have a reduced role for season 5.

"I feel very lucky. It's the best of both worlds, because I'm currently filming on Only Murders, but I still get to pop back to Bridgerton now and then and see everybody, and it's just like coming home," Coughlan told E! News of her reduced role in season 5. “It’s bittersweet. God, I had such an epic run. I think that’s part of the beauty of that world is it keeps reinventing itself. Every season is a new story – it takes on a different guise. I’ll always pop back to Bridgerton if they want me. If I can be set dressing, I’ll be there. No problem.”

When asked about the number of episodes she would be appearing in, Coughlan could not say, so there is hope that perhaps she’ll appear in more than one or two episodes and that it’ll just be her role in the episodes that is smaller. Regardless, it’s going to be strange seeing a season without much Penelope, as she’s been a staple of the show from the start, and one would think she would actually have more to do in season 5 considering the events of season 4.

The fourth season of Bridgerton saw Penelope decide to step away from her role as Whistledown, only for someone new to pick up the quill and assume the role. It’s expected that season 5 will begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the new Lady Whistledown’s identity, and the assumption was that Penelope would have some strong thoughts about someone taking over her column. However, knowing that Coughlan will appear in a limited capacity, we have to wonder how big the Whistledown mystery might actually end up being in season 5.

Season 5 will shift the attention to Francesca Bridgerton, following her as she decides to re-enter the marriage mart following the death of her husband, John. Her plans are thrown out the window, though, when John’s cousin, Michaela, returns to London, forcing Francesca to confront her complicated feelings and inner passions.

We’re certainly excited to see how the writers put a spin on the fifth book in Julia Quinn’s franchise and to see the show’s first LGBTQ+ lead couple take center stage. It’ll be fun to see how the writers adapt the book while bringing in new story threads to help bring Francesca and Michaela’s love story to life.

It’ll be fun to see which returning members of the larger ensemble play a role in the couple’s storyline, and we’re certain the new Lady Whistledown will definitely play a role in the narrative. After all, Francesca and Michaela’s romance is sure to get the ton talking, and Whistledown will surely be fanning the flames as she always does. Hopefully, Francesca’s various siblings will be on hand to lend support along her journey as we expect to see the various members of the Bridgerton clan back for season 5, the biggest question mark being that of Daphne, who was MIA in season 4.

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