Who narrates 'Bridgerton'? Meet the shocking star behind Lady Whistledown's voice

Wondering who narrates 'Bridgerton' after watching the Netflix hit? You might be surprised...

Bridgerton
(Image credit: Netflix)

If you're like us, you were definitely wondering, "Who narrates Bridgerton?" whilst watching the hit Netflix period drama. 

The show—which will be returning to screens with Bridgerton season 2 on Friday, March 25—has been the talk of the town (much like Daphne's empty living room after the ball, ouch!) pretty much since it first graced our TV screens back in December 2020. Why? Its popularity is thanks to everything from the brilliant Bridgerton cast to the captivating personal lives of its lead actors Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor

But fans have also been left wondering who narrates the scandalous series à la Dan from Gossip Girl. Trust us, you'll be fairly surprised by the famous lady who voices the Ton's resident gossip girl, Lady Whistledown



Who narrates 'Bridgerton'?

If you have not recognized the voice that gives life to Lady Whistledown, then maybe you need to spend some time watching classics like The Princess Diaries, The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins

Yes, the narrator of Bridgerton is none other than Julie Andrews! Speaking to Parade, Dame Julie described her role as "a tartar, and a bit of a naughty woman"." Jaw on the floor? Us too!

Andrews added of her narrator's power over the story: “I occasionally guide it, twist it, point it in some direction or another. I can make or break anybody, it seems, if I wish.”

Actress/singer Julie Andrews visit BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on October 15, 2019 in New York City

(Image credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty)

Speaking to OprahMag.com back when season one premiered, showrunner Chris Van Dusen spilled the beans on how they secured Queen Clarisse Renaldi herself for the role.

"She was at the top of our list for Lady Whistledown," he said. "We offered her the part, sent her the scripts, not thinking anything would really come of it. But surprisingly she read the scripts and fell in love with them."

And while the show was mostly filmed in the United Kingdom, Dame Julie Andrews actually recorded the voiceovers from her home in the Hamptons, New York. 

"We did all of our sessions virtually with her," Van Dusen said. "I was in Los Angeles, and we were able to do it over Zoom. She was so fun to work with. Everything that you think Julie Andrews is, she is."

"I had such a blast writing the voiceover for Lady Whistledown because she gets to say the most scathing, sometimes insulting things. And they're not typical things that you would think that would be coming out of Julie Andrews's mouth."

Fans react to 'Bridgerton' narrator Julie Andrew:

After finding out that Dame Julie Andrews is the narrator, fans were quick to react on social media.

One said: "Julie Andrews narrates like gossip girl in Bridgeton? dear God let me go get a Netflix membership." 

Another wrote: "Julie Andrews voicing Lady Whistledown brings joy #Bridgerton".

A third added: "Julie Andrews is your classier "xoxo Gossip Girl" in #bridgertonnetflix and I love it."

So if you haven't watched it, you now have another reason to! And you better catch up on season 1 quickly, as a fresh batch of Bridgerton episodes is hitting Netflix on Friday, March 25. 

Mariana Cerqueira

Mariana is Editor of My Imperfect Life. She has previously worked for titles including woman&home and Goodto, covering all aspects of women’s lifestyle — from beauty and fashion to wellness and travel. She was nominated for AOP Digital Journalist of the Year in 2020, and for New Digital Talent of the Year at the 2016 PPA Digital Awards. She’s mildly obsessed with reality TV (Love Island memes included) and spends far too much time checking her horoscope and figuring out the perfect curly hair routine.