Nicolae Coughlan, Bridgerton’s stage theft, reveals how he discovered that twist about her character

She stole the hearts of fans like Penelope Featherington on Bridgerton.

However, Nicola Coughlan revealed that she was not fully aware of the biggest twist involving her character until after she was hired.

The 33-year-old, originally from Galway, was glad that Variety discovered the great secret of Penelope by reading a fan thread online.

To tell the truth: Nicola Coughlan revealed that she was not fully aware of the biggest twist involving her character until after she was hired

At the end of season 1, which fell on Netflix on Christmas Day, Penelope is revealed as none other than Lady Whistledown.

Lady Whistledown is the writing name of the author of a newsletter that frequents high society in Regency England.

Nicola, who was also a fan favorite as a gay school in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in Derry Girls, was nominated for her audition from Bridgerton to Variety.

“When I went to the first audition, I only had a few days to prepare; I didn’t have time to read books or do anything like that. I just thought, “I’ll do this and if I get a second call, then I’ll read everything,” she confessed.

As seen in the suit: The 33-year-old from Galway told her that Variety had discovered Penelope’s big secret by reading an online fan thread

– But that didn’t happen, I just got the job. So, then it was like, “I’d better read these books and find out who this character is.”

By “books” Nicola was referring to the series of romantic novels Bridgerton by Julia Quinn, specializing in period pieces.

Nicola shared: “I also went to many online fan forums because these books have been out for 20 years. People love them and have such a connection with them. Penelope is very close to their hearts. On a forum I realized it was Lady Whistledown. When I saw her, I thought, “No, no, no, no, it can’t be right.”

She said: “I kept rereading it, because it didn’t make sense: [I’m] getting this amazing role in a Shondaland-Netflix show, and that’s that role. It’s pretty amazing.

Spoiler alert: At the end of season 1, which fell on Netflix on Christmas Day, Penelope is revealed as none other than Lady Whistledown

The Bridgerton series was produced by Shonda Rhimes and created by Chris Van Dusen, who worked for her on Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal.

While talking to Variety Nicola also flew that “It was so much fun”, filming Penelope’s revelation as Lady Whistledown.

“We had to film this in the middle of COVID. I had to be super, super secret. I had to be flown from Ireland, tested, tested and tested, and assembled.

He recalled: “It was a top secret; I couldn’t let anyone know I was there or what was going on. But it was so much fun filming that. ‘

Leaving him out: Nicola, who was also a fan favorite as a gay school in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in Derry Girls, won the Bridgerton audition for Variety