From Eloise to Queen Charlotte, see who has the potential to wreak the most havoc as Lady Whistledown ahead of Bridgerton Season 4.
In the world of Bridgerton, one thing is absolute: information is power, especially when it’s on paper and anonymous. That power belongs to Lady Whistledown, the mysterious gossip columnist who has shaped nearly every major event in Bridgerton.
Lady Whistledown’s gossip sheet has proven that a well-timed whisper can topple reputations, derail marriages, and set all of London ablaze with scandal. It was possible because one woman chose to write what others only whispered.
In the Netflix show, that woman, of course, is Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). As Lady Whistledown, Penelope had the ultimate hidden power. She exposed Marina Thompson’s pregnancy in Season 1. She publicly humiliated Eloise in Season 2 to protect her from the Queen’s suspicion. And in season 3, it was finally revealed who Whistledown is.
If Lady Whistledown’s pen were to fall into other hands, who would cause the most chaos? Here we have listed the top 10 Bridgerton characters ranked by how much havoc they could unleash if they were Lady Whistledown.
1. Eloise Bridgerton
Eloise takes the top spot for one simple reason: she already thinks like a revolutionary journalist. She is sharp, questions authority, and rejects societal norms. She possesses a biting wit that would translate perfectly to Whistledown’s prose.
Eloise is the most dangerous potential Lady Whistledown because she nearly exposed the real one, her best friend Penelope. In Season 2, she tracked down a print shop by following printing routes and ultimately deduced the truth through a process of elimination and logic. Eloise wouldn’t spread gossip for mere amusement; she’d do it to expose injustice. That sense of righteousness would make her gossip feel justified.
2. Lady Danbury
Lady Danbury understands society better than anyone alive. In Queen Charlotte, she learned how power truly works, who pulls strings, and who must be protected. In Season 1, she engineered Simon Bassett’s return to society. In Season 2, she helped guide Anthony and Kate toward their inevitable union.
As Lady Whistledown, her writing would be deliberate and lethal. She wouldn’t flood the paper with gossip; she’d release just enough truth to shift power and influence the marriage market.
3. Cressida Cowper
Cressida has already proven she would abuse the role. In Season 3, she falsely claimed to be Lady Whistledown and used that lie to blackmail Penelope. That alone earns her a high ranking.
Cressida would use Whistledown to humiliate rivals and secure her survival. She evolved from a mean-spirited girl to a more sympathetic character, driven by the immense pressure to marry. Therefore, she’d probably use that power to secure herself from an unwanted betrothal.
4. Queen Charlotte
Queen Charlotte does not need anonymity, but if she had it, the ton would collapse. Across all seasons, her obsession with Lady Whistledown led to interrogations, forcing Eloise to confess.
A single bored whim could erase a family from court. The damage would be immediate and absolute. Imagine, any opinion that she publishes would instantly become a social law. That’s the authority she could have as Lady Whistledown.
5. Benedict Bridgerton
Benedict is an unexpected but intriguing threat. He moves between aristocrats and outsiders, as well as artists and elites. As an artist, Benedict is accustomed to observing people and situations closely, much like Lady Whistledown, who observes the ton from a distance to gather intel.
If Benedict wrote Whistledown, it would be ironic or deeply uncomfortable. He would expose hypocrisy, especially among the elite. He may not aim to destroy, but his honesty would still cause damage. In season 4, Benedict is leading the romance with Sophie. It will be interesting to see how Whistledown helps the couple flourish or fizzle out.
6. Kate Sharma
Kate’s strength lies in perception. She reads people quickly, understands motives, and never misses emotional undercurrents. She overhears a conversation, sees through Anthony’s loveless marriage plan, and immediately disapproves of her sister’s wedding to Anthony.
Moreover, Kate possesses the wit and an assertive nature that would bring highly incisive commentary in her society papers. Kate’s flaws stem from her desire to do the best for her family. If someone threatened her family or crossed the moral line, her plan would strike with no remorse.
Her Whistledown would probably focus on highlighting genuine injustices and hypocrisy within the ton.
7. Portia Featherington
Portia Featherington is driven by ambition, appearances, and finance, perfect fuel for gossip. She knows how society judges women, and she’s more than willing to manipulate that judgment to her advantage.
Though less subtle than her daughter Penelope, Portia would happily trade long-term consequences for short-term gain. Portia is a capable schemer, but her communication style is more direct and less sophisticated than Penelope’s. Her column would likely be more blatant and less literary.
8. Anthony Bridgerton
Anthony’s authority as Viscount gives him access to sensitive information, but his temperament would be his downfall. Lady Whistledown, however, thrives on scandal, which would put him in a constant ethical conflict between protecting his family and reporting the truth of the ton.
He could cause serious damage, but likely unintentionally. Anthony has previously expressed disdain for Lady Whistledown’s work, especially when her columns impacted his family’s prospects or his relationships. As a Whistledown, he would probably protect secrets rather than expose a scandal.
9. Simon Bassett
Simon’s reputation alone caused gossip across Season 1. His vow to end his lineage, his strained relationship with his father, and his sudden marriage to Daphne made him constant Whistledown material.
His difficult childhood and the rigid rules of high society could fuel a desire to expose the Ton’s hypocrisy. However, he is highly intelligent, well-read, and possesses a sharp, often sardonic wit. This is the core skill of Lady Whistledown. His high profile and need for control might ultimately be a disadvantage.
10. Violet Bridgerton
Violet knows every secret in the ton but she believes gossip should guide, not punish. Throughout the series, she has nudged relationships forward rather than exposing scandals.
Known for her protective nature as a mother, she would likely use her platform to subtly blacklist problematic individuals just like she did in season 1 for Daphne. As Lady Whistledown, Violet would influence consequences gently. She would rather protect the vulnerable, rather than focusing on salacious gossip.
As Bridgerton Season 4 approaches, and Lady Whistledown’s identity is known along with Queen Charlotte, the expectations for juicy gossip are higher than ever. If the wrong person gets hold of Lady Whistledown’s attention, it could destroy everything.
