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Nicola Coughlan shared that she is taking a step back from her role as Penelope Featherington in the forthcoming fifth season of Bridgerton.
While talking about the latest update on the hit Netflix series with E! News, the Derry Girls star called it "bittersweet", adding, "I feel very lucky."
She continued, "I feel like, 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 being a new story — it takes on a different guise."
"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. You're like, 'Oh, hey guys, how you doing?'"
What happened with Nicola Coughlan's role in 'Bridgerton'?
Nicola's character was also the original Lady Whistledown, the secret author behind Regency London's gossip pamphlet.
Under the pen name, Penelope anonymously wrote about the ongoing events and secret affairs throughout the town.
Penelope's identity was later revealed in society amid her romance with Colin Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Newton, at the end of Season 3.
In the fourth instalment, fans witnessed Penelope struggling to write without the protection of her secret identity.
Additionally, she came face to face with the consequences of her gossip. Ultimately, she decided to retire as Lady Whistledown to settle into her marriage with Colin and as a mother at the end of the season.
However, to viewers' shock, a new imposter introduced themselves, though their identity has yet to be revealed.
Who is the new Lady Whistledown?
Nicola shared that she is unaware who the new writer is, admitting to E! News that she was "really bad at keeping secrets".
"I told everyone and said I was her," she said. "So they know not to tell me. But I genuinely have no clue and it's quite nice not to know. I don't need to know."
The Irish star has yet to be told how many episodes she will be featured in on the upcoming season, set for release in 2027.
Lady Francesca Stirling, portrayed by Hannah Dodd, and Michaela Stirling, played by Masali Baduza, will lead the upcoming season as Bridgerton.
The duo was brought together by the death of Francesca's husband and Michaela's relative, Lord John Stirling, during Season 4.
