Penelope Featherington’s Book Ending Was Perfect — But It Shouldn’t Shape Bridgerton Season 4
When it comes to Bridgerton, the Netflix series has consistently pulled off a delicate balancing act — respecting Julia Quinn’s beloved romance novels while adding modern flair, deeper character arcs, and social commentary. One of the most talked-about characters, Penelope Featherington, had a storybook-perfect ending in the novels. Her love story with Colin Bridgerton was charming, heartfelt, and satisfying.
But here’s the thing: Penelope’s story in the books doesn’t quite work for TV anymore.
The show has gone much deeper into her emotional complexity, her identity as Lady Whistledown, and her quiet suffering under society’s judgment. With that growth, a simple, clean romantic resolution just doesn’t do her justice anymore. In fact, sticking too closely to the book risks undercutting everything the series has built around her.
Let’s explore why Penelope’s book ending was great for readers — but not the right direction for Season 4 of Bridgerton.
The Book Version: Why Readers Loved Penelope and Colin’s Love Story
The Wallflower Who Got Her Fairy Tale
In Julia Quinn’s “Romancing Mister Bridgerton”, Penelope was the underdog — overlooked, ridiculed for her appearance, dismissed by society. But beneath it all, she was brilliant, sharp-witted, and secretly the infamous Lady Whistledown.
Colin, the charming and aimless third Bridgerton son, finally noticed her after years of friendship. He was drawn to her wit, her warmth, and eventually, her secret identity. Their relationship blossomed from friends to lovers, filled with slow-burn tension and heartfelt confessions.
It was everything readers love in a Regency romance: the glow-up, the hidden identity, the childhood crush who finally sees the heroine.
A Sweet and Satisfying Closure
By the end of the book, Penelope is no longer hiding. She and Colin are happily married, and she finds peace in revealing her true self. For many fans, it’s a triumph. The awkward girl who never fit in wins the love she’s always wanted — and gains the confidence to stop hiding behind Whistledown’s anonymity.
Why That Ending Doesn’t Translate Well to the Show Anymore
TV Penelope Is Much More Complicated
The Netflix version of Penelope (played by Nicola Coughlan) is far more than the shy, sweet girl from the books. The show dives deeper into her insecurities, her family trauma, her obsession with power through Whistledown, and her deeply flawed friendship with Eloise.
She’s not just a wallflower anymore — she’s a layered, morally ambiguous character. That complexity makes her fascinating but also harder to write into a neat romance arc. The Penelope of the show needs something more than a fairy tale ending.
Her Relationship with Colin Has a Problem
Here’s the tough truth: Colin has been kind of awful to Penelope in the show. In Season 3, his dismissiveness, condescension, and lack of awareness about her feelings made fans question whether he truly deserves her. He’s spent years overlooking her, even mocking her — and most of his character growth has focused on himself, not their relationship.
The romance in the books works because Colin’s realization feels earned. In the show? It feels rushed — unless Season 4 completely reimagines his arc.
Season 4 Needs to Break the Mold — And Give Penelope Her Own Power
Let Penelope Grow Before She Gets the Guy
The best part of Penelope’s journey so far has been watching her evolve — not just in how others see her, but in how she sees herself. Instead of rushing to pair her with Colin, Season 4 should focus on her own empowerment.
What does it look like if Penelope chooses herself first? If she walks away from the marriage plot and embraces her Whistledown identity fully? If she builds a life not based on love, but on agency?
Those questions are far more interesting than whether Colin will say the right thing at the right time.
Romance Isn’t the Only Path to a Happy Ending
Bridgerton has made some bold moves already — including giving Queen Charlotte her own spin-off, rewriting Eloise’s arc, and deepening Anthony’s emotional vulnerability in Season 2. It’s time to do the same for Penelope.
She doesn’t have to end up married to be fulfilled. She could become a force in London society, challenge class and gender norms, and maybe even spark a new kind of romance with someone who truly sees her — not just someone from her past who finally wakes up.
Colin’s Redemption Arc Needs More Time
We Can’t Forget His Season 3 Mistakes
In Season 3, Colin’s behavior — especially his infamous “I would never court Penelope Featherington” comment — hit hard. It wasn’t just a moment of rejection. It was public humiliation, and Penelope overheard every word.
For him to suddenly fall in love with her without fully reckoning with that moment feels emotionally dishonest. The show would need to give Colin a true redemption arc — one that doesn’t just paint him as a charming hero but as someone who grows, apologizes, and earns Penelope’s trust again.
Let Colin Prove He’s Worthy
The book gives Colin a lot of charm, but the show has an opportunity to do more. What if Season 4 lets us see him struggle? Let him confront his privilege, his obliviousness, and how his actions have hurt others — including Penelope.
Only then can their relationship feel like something worth rooting for.
Whistledown Is More Than a Plot Twist — It’s a Statement
Her Secret Identity Carries Real Power
Lady Whistledown isn’t just a fun twist — she’s Penelope’s weapon against a world that silences women like her. In the books, revealing Whistledown is part of Penelope’s happy ending. In the show, though, it could be a new beginning.
What if instead of giving it up, she doubles down? Uses Whistledown not just to gossip, but to challenge the establishment? To uplift other women? To expose injustice?
That storyline would be revolutionary — and it would make Penelope more than just someone’s love interest.
She’s Not a Side Character Anymore
Nicola Coughlan has become one of the show’s breakout stars, and Penelope has outgrown her original role. She’s not just the sidekick or the quirky friend — she’s the emotional core of the series.
Bridgerton should embrace that. Give her the screen time, the storyline, and the transformation she deserves. Let her make mistakes, chase power, question herself — and come out stronger.
What a New Season 4 Arc Could Look Like
A Focus on Female Friendships
One of the most heartbreaking arcs in Season 3 was the rift between Penelope and Eloise. A huge betrayal — Penelope writing about her — shattered their bond. But there’s potential for healing.
Imagine Season 4 diving into rebuilding that friendship. Showing how women forgive, grow, and support each other. That would be a far more meaningful arc than simply ending up with Colin.
A New Love Interest?
Here’s a bold idea: what if Penelope doesn’t end up with Colin at all? Maybe she meets someone new — someone who challenges her, respects her intelligence, and doesn’t carry years of baggage.
It doesn’t have to be the end of #Polin — but it would show that Penelope isn’t just waiting around for someone to love her. She’s choosing her own path.
Power, Not Pity
Let’s stop treating Penelope like the poor, unlucky girl who finally gets her prince. Let’s start seeing her as a strategist, a writer, a disruptor. Season 4 should be about her owning that role — whether it’s as Lady Whistledown, a businesswoman, or a queen in her own right.
Final Thoughts: Give Penelope the Season She Deserves
The books gave Penelope Featherington a beautiful, satisfying conclusion. But the TV show has evolved far beyond its source material — and so has Penelope.
She doesn’t need a fairy tale. She needs a transformation.
Season 4 of Bridgerton has
