Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan reveals Lady Whistledown’s clue during the first episode—did you spot it?

Nicola Coughlan has revealed the easy-to-miss clue she added to the first episode

Nicola Coughlan playing Penelope Featherington in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton
(Image credit: Netflix)

Sure, we’re all wondering when the Bridgerston second season will be released,  but that doesn’t mean we can’t still reflect back on the first! Apparently, a hidden clue alluding to the true identity of Lady Whistledown can be found in the show's very first episode—were you watching closely enough to catch it? Spoilers ahead!

It turns out that Bridgerton cast member Nicola Coughlan , who plays Penelope Featherington in the Netflix hit, had hinted at her character’s true identity from the very start of the series. But viewers didn't learn who Bridgerton’s mysterious writer was until the show's final episode. If you managed to spot the hidden clue, good for you—it was hidden well!

Eagle-eyed fans may have seen a massive feather that looked a lot like a quill in the first episode. It turns out this was a tiny hint at the true identity of Coughlan’s character, the person behind the pen name Lady Whistledown.

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Coughlan recently confessed: “Ok, I'm just curious, has anyone spotted the massive Easter Egg about Penelope in the very first scene of Bridgerton?”

She added: “I decided on a prop for the scene where you first see Penelope, that prop happened to be a giant feather that looked a lot like...a quill.”

Some fans have decided to use the new information as an excuse to watch the whole show all over again, with one joking: “Oh no. I missed it. Guess I’ll have to watch the entire season again.”

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Other observant viewers noticed the connection between Penelope’s pseudonym, the Featherington surname, and the prop in the first scene, as one commenter took to Twitter questioning: “Because Featherington and Whistledown both reference types of plumage?”

Now we're wondering if any of the characters left clues about what will happen in season two. We know the next season will focus more on Anthony Bridgerton's romance and his love interest, Kate, who will be played by Simone Ashley. But anything else would be pure speculation at this point. 

Whatever the case, we’re sure Lady Whistledown will have plenty more tricks up her sleeve once Bridgerton is back!

Kudzai Chibaduki

Since December 2020, Kudzai has worked as a trainee journalist at FUTURE, writing about fashion, entertainment and beauty content for My Imperfect Life.

Kudzai previously worked as a freelance fashion wardrobe stylist, directing magazine photoshoots and coordinating the fashion direction of recording artists.

A fully qualified Journalism and Media graduate from De Mont Fort University, Kudzai graduated in the summer of 2020.