Liam Daniel / Netflix
What To Know
- Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan is getting candid about how much of Penelope fans will see in Season 5.
- Coughlan and Luke Newton were the leads of Season 3.
- Season 5 is set to return in 2027.
Bridgerton Season 5 may be shifting its focus to Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela (Masali Baduza) for the latest romance, but one element from all seasons of the series remains, and it’s the fact that Lady Whistledown is still sticking around as Nicola Coughlan reprises her role as Penelope.
No longer a Featherington and now an integral member of the Bridgerton family after marrying Colin (Luke Newton) in Season 3, Penelope may have put her pen down as the gossip columnist in Season 4, but Coughlan is promising she will be back, but there’s a catch.
In a new interview with PureWow, Coughlan shared, “I’ve had a really amazing year. I’ve been very, very lucky. I’m still filming on Bridgerton in more of a cameo role this time, but it’s just been a joy to come back and see everybody.”
While Coughlan didn’t discuss who else would be back for Season 5, it’s already been confirmed that she is returning alongside Newton. Additionally, other past leading couples, including Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley, as well as Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha, will all be back as Anthony and Kate, and Benedict and Sophie.
Liam Daniel / Netflix
In August, Coughlan hinted at her reduced onscreen presence, but noted, “I’ll always pop back to Bridgerton if they want me. If I can be set dressing, I’ll be there, no problem.”
Such has been the case for Bailey, who, despite getting a major career bump from Netflix‘s Shondaland hit — landing him roles in major studio projects like Wicked and Jurassic World: Rebirth — has continued to pop up for an episode or two alongside Ashley since they led Season 2 of the series.
Coughlan has been quite busy as she takes on various new gigs, including an upcoming role in the glitzy sixth season of Only Murders in the Building, known as Only Murders in London. She’s just one of the many stars recruited for the latest mystery, which will also include Ashley!
What do you think of Coughlan’s “cameo” classification for Penelope’s onscreen presence in Bridgerton Season 5? Let us know in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more on the latest chapter as we approach the new year.
Bridgerton, Season 5 Premiere, 2027, Netflix