While the major Emmys have yet to be awarded for 2025, the Creative Arts winners have been announced, and Netflix’s Bridgerton received a few accolades for the beautiful costumes and unique hairstyles in Season 3, which certainly deserve the recognition. However, one element that received an overdue award was Julie Andrews’ role as the voice-over for Lady Whistledown. Bridgerton caught attention five years ago when the series first adapted Julia Quinn’s book series about the large family and their various romances, as the anonymous gossip writer Lady Whistledown offers colorful commentary. The series has only grown as it moves through the Bridgerton siblings, and Season 3 became the most eventful yet as both Colin (Luke Newton) and Franchesca (Hannah Dodd) found their spouses.
The romance series has a large ensemble cast, featuring Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Adjoa Andoh, and many other talented actors; however, Andrews’ role is a highlight. The legendary actress is well known for her classic roles in Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and, more recently, The Princess Diaries, but in Bridgerton, her contribution flies more under the radar as she never appears on-screen. Even so, her narration sets the tone for the series, making her Emmy well-deserved after three seasons.
Julie Andrews Sets the Tone for Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ Perfectly
Bridgerton has become such a phenomenon because there is nothing quite like it, no matter how many other streamers have tried to replicate the series’ success. Julie Andrews is a small part, but her role contributes to the show’s success because it sets the tone for the series. Each season and most of the individual episodes open and close with Andrews’ narration of Lady Wistledown’s writing, which discusses the show’s twists. As she provides the audience with the words that cause so much drama, Andrews usually hints at what will come next. Whistledown’s quick wit keeps things light as Bridgerton is supposed to be, but, simultaneously, her harsh judgments establish the stakes. Plus, Andrews’ voice exudes class, providing an instant sense of the show and getting the audience into the right mood.
Andrews’ participation served a clear purpose in Season 1, when the audience was still guessing who was responsible for the infamous words. Season 1 revealed that Penelope (Coughlan) was the author. Even so, Andrews continued to lend her voice, separating Penelope from her secret identity, and in Season 3, that became more tenuous than ever. Because the latest season focuses on Penelope and her love story with Colin, it is a particularly important season for Whistledown. As Penelope struggles to hide her identity, Andrews must deliver especially savage gossip, creating chaos in society. Wistledown sounds in total control (as she always has) while Penelope is struggling more than ever, and Andrews’ voice emphasizes the contrast, helping to show Penelope’s character. All of this builds to Penelope publicly revealing herself as Lady Whistledown, which made Andrew’s role all the more significant, earning her the Emmy.
Julie Andrews Should’ve Won an Emmy for ‘Bridgerton’ Sooner
This is not Andrews’ first Emmy, as her famed career has seen her win one for Outstanding Variety Musical Series for The Julie Andrews Hour and another for Outstanding Nonfiction Series after she hosted Broadway: The American Musical. However, despite having served as the narrator for all three seasons of Bridgerton and its spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, this is the first time she has won for the Netflix franchise. Admittedly, it is a tough category, but she has long deserved that recognition. The wait makes the win all the sweeter for fans who have been enjoying Andrews’ work from the start of the series and can finally see her receive what she deserves.
Narration can be tricky, often venturing into cheesy territory, but in Bridgerton, Andrews has pulled it off flawlessly for years. She was crucial to Season 1 as she concealed the identity of the author, but more than that, Andrews’ role introduces the larger premise of the series. Lady Whistledown and her identity were a major factor in the story, driving Queen Charlotte’s (Golda Rosheuvel) narrative as the Queen forms a rivalry with her and takes increasingly drastic measures to defy the author. Lady Whistledown even impacts the central love stories as she shapes public opinion. Andrews has earned this award several times over, but Season 3 is the perfect time to acknowledge Andrews’ contribution as, more than ever, Lady Whistledown is the center of the season.
‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Will Bring Julie Andrews Back
There is hardly a chance the popular show will end quite yet, but Season 3’s conclusion left Andrews’ return up in the air. As memorable as she is, Andrews doesn’t have a traditional role in the series, never interacting with the cast, even behind the scenes. But more importantly, the end of Season 3 features Penelope coming forward and revealing herself as Lady Whistledown. Penelope apologizes for her actions and promises to be more responsible with her words in the future, assuming Queen Charlotte allows her to continue. With accountability, Lady Whistledown will be different in the future, but she will not be gone. Yet the finale’s last line of narration transitions from Andrews’ voice to Coughlan’s as she begins a new chapter and signs her work as Penelope Bridgerton rather than using her false name. This ending left a question of whether Andrews would return, but fortunately, Netflix announced that Andrews will be back in her Emmy-winning role when the series returns.
Bridgerton Season 4 has finished filming, but it is still a while away. This time, the story will follow Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) romance, as told in Quinn’s novel An Offer from a Gentleman. The season will bring back many fan-favorites along with Andrews, as well as introduce Yerin Ha as Sophie. And, in even better news, fans can be assured that the show is not ending as Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for Seasons 5 and 6. Though little is known about these future seasons, it seems that, regardless of Whistledowns’ lack of animosity, Andrews is here to stay. Her narration is a highlight, and it more than deserves this Emmy victory. But it is especially exciting to know that she will be back in Season 4, continuing to make Lady Whistledown the secret star of Bridgerton.
