Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan reveals why she won’t be in new season as much

Bridgerton fans all have their favourite couples and seasons, and it's bad news for fans of Nicola Coughlan's Penelope Featherington, as you'll be seeing less of her next time.

For the uninitiated, the swoon-worthy period drama on Netflix is based on the books by Julia Quinn, and focuses on the seven Bridgerton siblings.

Each book, and each season of the show, focuses predominantly on each sibling and their love interest.

Warning: Spoilers ahead

Coughlan portrayed Penelope as viewers saw her spend years pining after Colin Bridgerton, but the two eventually became a couple after their long-term friendship.

Their relationship was the main focus of season three of the show.

They married and welcomed a baby, Elliot.

She told E! News that fans will be seeing less of her for season five, which will tell the love story of Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling.

Nicola Coughlan stars as Penelope in Bridgerton, and has said she will not be in the next season as much (Netflix)

It is currently being filmed and is expected to air in 2027.

“It’s bittersweet,” she declared, “I feel like, God, I had such an epic run."

“I think that’s part of the beauty of that world is it keeps reinventing itself. Every season being a new story, it takes on a different guise.”

"I feel very lucky," she added. "I still get to pop back to Bridgerton now and then and see everybody, and it's just like coming home. You're like, 'Oh, hey guys, how you doing?'"

Penelope also played a major part throughout the other seasons, too, as she was revealed to be the original Lady Whistledown, the author of the controversial gossip sheet.

She wrote about the misdeeds and affairs of their neighbours in society, as well as documenting the search for the diamond of the season.

Her identity was revealed to the rest of society at the end of season three.

She then went on to struggle to write without her anonymity as she battled to be unbiased, and the end of season four saw her deciding to put down her quill.

A new anonymous writer has now stepped forward, but viewers do not yet know who it is - but it all contributes to reasons why we'll be seeing less of Coughlan on our screens.

Coughlan also confessed that even she doesn't know who her replacement is, and for good reason, as she says she's 'really bad at keeping secrets.'

Nicola's character Penelope played a major role in earlier seasons (Netflix)

“I told everyone and said I was her, so they know not to tell me. But I genuinely have no clue and it’s quite nice not to know. I don’t need to know.”

She added that it's 'so nice and low pressure' to have a smaller role next time.

After season one, Daphne and Simon (played by Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page) both seemingly disappeared into thin air, so viewers are used to people stepping out of the spotlight.

Despite all this, Coughlan has said she would be all too happy to return if they ask.

“I’ll always pop back to ‘Bridgerton’ if they want me,” she said. “If I can be set dressing, I’ll be there. No problem.”

With those gorgeous costumes, we don't blame her!