‘Bridgerton’: Julia Quinn Admits Nicola Coughlan Changed Her Entire Perspective on Penelope Featherington

Before there was an entire Bridgerton cast on Netflix, there were eight Bridgerton books written by Julia Quinn. The author put her heart and soul into writing each character, but then the Netflix series came along and changed her entire perspective. In a recent Instagram post, Quinn wrote a touching message to Nicola Coughlan, who portrays Penelope Featherington. The author learned so much about a character she created through Coughlan’s acting.

Bridgerton author Julia Quinn wrote a message to Nicola Coughlan

Julia Quinn gave the highest of accolades to Bridgerton cast member Nicola Coughlan. Although Quinn created the character of Penelope Featherington, the author reflects that Coughlan gave her life.

“Of all the characters I’ve created, no one has connected with readers quite like Penelope Featherington,” Quinn’s Instagram caption read. “Everyone seems to see a piece of her inside themselves, myself included. I thought I knew who she was, inside and out, but then @nicolacoughlan came along and made her into something even more—more special, more three-dimensional, more Penelope.”

The moment became even sweeter for readers and viewers alike when Coughlan responded to Julia Quinn in the Bridgerton author’s comments.

“Oh, Julia, this is so unbelievably sweet of you to say,” Coughlan began. “It’s been such an honour playing her, and I hope I continue to do you (and her) proud xxx.”

Quinn’s followers responded positively to the interaction between the author and actor, agreeing with the writer’s sentiments. It was a heartfelt moment ahead of the Bridgerton Season 2 premiere.

When does ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2 come out?

Netflix and the Bridgerton social media accounts announced the Bridgerton Season 2 release date to fans in December 2021. Season 2 drops to Netflix on March 25, 2022. The upcoming second season follows the story of Viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his relationship with Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Although fans swooned over Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevor) true love match, the Duke of Hastings, Rege Jean Pagé, won’t return for season 2. However, Julia Quinn assured readers that Daphne would appear, interfering with his love life, as he did hers.

Julia Quinn teases details about the Sharma family in ‘Bridgerton Season 2’

Julia Quinn gave her readers and viewers a taste of the newcomers to Bridgerton Season 2. She highlighted the Sharma Family in another Instagram post.

“When I wrote The Viscount Who Loved Me, it was incredibly important to me that the Sheffield (now Sharma) family be one that was full of love and devotion,” Quinn began. “This is a family that was joined in part by marriage and in part by blood, and I wanted to show that the bonds in this type of family could be just as strong and full of heart as in one like the Bridgertons.”

The author added that Charithra Chandran, Simone Ashley, and Shelley Conn “have brought the Sharmas to glorious life in season 2.” 

Bridgerton Season 2 drops to Netflix on March 25, 2022. The first season is currently available for binge-watching on the streaming giant.