Nicola Coughlin in Bridgerton
Nicola Coughlin in Bridgerton Image Credit: Netflix

Irish actress and ‘Bridgerton’ star Nicola Coughlan recently made a huge revelation about the American period drama show, which is based on Julia Quinn’s collection of novels.

Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington and her alter ego Lady Whistledown on the hit Netflix show, said the upcoming season will follow her character Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton) as their friendship potentially blooms into something more all while balancing her double life.

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Nicola Coughlan in season 2 of 'Bridgerton' Image Credit: Netflix

First reported by ‘Deadline’, the actress made the revelation while speaking as a panellist at Netflix’s FYSEE Space’s opening night ATAS.

“Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time and I can confirm to you all that season 3 is Colin and Penelope’s love story,” Coughlan said. “I have kept that secret since two weeks into season 2. This is the first time I am saying it here.”

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BRIDGERTON (L to R) BEN MILLER as LORD FEATHERINGTON, POLLY WALKER as PORTIA FEATHERINGTON, BESSIE CARTER as PRUDENCE FEATHERINGTON, HARRIET CAINS as PHILLIPA FEATHERINGTON, LUKE NEWTON as COLIN BRIDGERTON and RUBY BARKER as MARINA THOMPSON in episode 106 of BRIDGERTON Cr. NICK BRIGGS/NETFLIX © 2020 Image Credit: NICK BRIGGS/NETFLIX

The duo’s love story is the subject of the fourth book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, ‘Romancing Mister Bridgerton’. The first two seasons of the Netflix series followed the first two novels in their original order, focusing on Daphne Bridgerton and Anthony Bridgerton, respectively, and their quests for love.

Shondaland and Netflix already had taken liberty by revealing Lady Whistedown’s identity at the end of Season 1; in the books that does not happen until the fourth book which centres on Penelope.

‘Deadline’ had earlier revealed that Season 3 also will feature Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton, taking over the role from Ruby Stokes who left and is the lead of another Netflix series, ‘Lockwood & Co’. Casting of the new season is already underway.

Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in
Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma and Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in "Bridgerton." Image Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix

The panel also included Bridgerton cast members Simone Ashley, Charithra Chandran, series creator executive producer and Season 1 and 2 showrunner Chris Van Dusen, costume designer Sophie Canale and composer Kris Bowers. It was moderated by actress and host Yvette Nicole Brown.