For four seasons, Lady Whistledown was the pulse of the show. She wasn't just a narrator; she was a power broker. Now that Penelope has come clean and moved into her "happily ever after" era, the show faces a vacuum. You can’t have the Regency era without the social stakes, and the writers have made it clear: someone else is watching from the shadows.

Season 5, which is expected to drop in late 2026, looks like it will lean heavily into the "whodunnit" energy. From the teaser clips and early production leaks, the new Whistledown isn't just a copycat; they seem to have a sharper, perhaps more cynical edge than Penelope ever did.

If you’re placing bets, here is how the leaderboard looks based on the source material and where Season 4 left the characters.

In the books, Hyacinth is the one who eventually displays the most "Penelope-esque" wit. She’s observant, she’s bored, and she’s remarkably smart. While she’s still young, Season 5 is expected to feature a time jump that could place her right in the center of the action. If the show wants to keep the Whistledown mantle "in the family," Hyacinth is the most logical choice. She has the access and the Bridgerton charm to hide in plain sight.

Let’s be real: Cressida has been through it. After being socially exiled and losing her bid to be the "fake" Whistledown in Season 3, she has every reason to want to burn the Ton to the ground. Season 5 could easily see her returning from her "aunt’s house" with a sharpened quill and a list of names. It would turn Whistledown from a social commentary into a weapon of revenge, which—honestly—would be a fun pivot for the show’s drama.

Eloise has always hated the gossip, but she’s also the only one with the writing chops and the political mind to actually use the platform for something bigger. There’s a theory that the "new" Whistledown might not be about who is marrying whom, but rather a more radical pamphlet. However, Eloise is usually too loud about her opinions to keep them anonymous for long.

The showrunners have hinted that Season 5 will introduce fresh faces to the marriage mart. It’s entirely possible that the new Whistledown is someone we haven't met yet—someone who isn't burdened by the existing loyalties of the Bridgerton or Featherington houses.

For parents watching this with older teens, the Whistledown plot is more than just Regency-era TMZ. It’s a perfect entry point for talking about anonymity and social power.

In the 1800s, it was a physical pamphlet; today, it’s a burner account or a "confessions" page on social media. The show does a great job of showing how one anonymous voice can ruin a reputation or shift a power dynamic. If your kid is hooked on the mystery, it’s worth asking them: Why do people trust anonymous sources more than the people standing right in front of them?

If your family is leaning into the Regency vibes, don't just stop at the show. The "Bridgerton Effect" is a great way to pivot into actual history or different types of storytelling.

Find more shows with great mysteries

The "Who is the New Lady Whistledown?" mystery is the show's way of keeping the stakes high without Penelope. While the show is famous for its "romance" (read: very graphic scenes), the Whistledown plot is the intellectual engine.

The Friction Point: The show is rated TV-MA for a reason. If you have younger teens who want in on the Whistledown mystery but aren't ready for the "romance" parts, you’re going to be doing a lot of fast-forwarding. The mystery is great; the bedroom scenes are... a lot.

Q: Is Penelope still in Bridgerton Season 5? Yes, Nicola Coughlan is expected to return, but her role will shift from the central protagonist/narrator to a supporting member of the family. She’s officially "retired" from the gossip game.

Q: Will Julie Andrews still be the voice of Lady Whistledown? This is the million-dollar question. While Julie Andrews is the voice of Whistledown, if a new character takes over the quill, the show might introduce a new voice-over to reflect that change. However, nothing has been officially confirmed for Season 5 yet.

Q: Is Bridgerton Season 5 appropriate for a 14-year-old? It’s a "know your kid" situation. The social mystery and costumes are fine, but the sexual content is explicit. Many parents treat it as a "watch with the remote in hand" show. For a full breakdown, see our best shows for kids list.

The hunt for the new Lady Whistledown is going to be the central obsession of the Bridgerton fandom for the next year. Whether it's Hyacinth finding her voice or Cressida seeking her revenge, the quill is back in play, and the Ton is about to get a lot more dangerous.