Lady Whistledown always knows all the juiciest secrets of the ton, whether she’s talking about a failed royal wedding — sorry, not sorry, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) — or the quest to uncover her own identity. But the Bridgerton gossip queen truly outdid herself during Netflix’s annual Tudum fan event. This time, she revealed the very first page of the Season 3 premiere, which we know is titled “Out of the Shadows.” Could the infamously secretive Whistledown be ready to step into the spotlight? 

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Bridgerton’s Penelope Featherington (aka the debutante behind Whistledown’s biting feather quill), pops into Tudum’s Bridgerton section to check in with co-stars Claudia Jessie and Luke Newton. “Would you like to hear what I… I mean, Lady Whistledown, has to say about Bridgerton Season 3?” Coughlan asks. She then unveils the premiere script’s cover page. “Out of the Shadows” is written by Bridgerton’s new showrunner, Jess Brownell, and directed by Tricia Brock, who helmed the first two episodes of Season 2. 

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“Dearest gentlereader, we have been apart for far too long,” Coughlan begins, reading Lady Whistledown’s opening narration in the Season 3 premiere. “At last, London’s smart set has made its return. And so too has this author.” 

Since Penelope is the writer penning these words — and next season’s romantic heroine — it’s worth remembering where she is in her Bridgerton journey. At the close of Season 2, Penelope’s best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Jessie) is heartbroken to realize Penelope has been Whistledown all along — and therefore created the Theo Sharpe (Calam Lynch)–related rumor that nearly ruined Eloise's reputation. Penelope’s relationship with Colin Bridgerton (Newton) is no better. After years of nurturing a secret crush on Colin, Penelope ends the season devastated to hear him speak ill of her at her own family’s ball.

Yet, she is still as focused on marriage mart drama as ever. “As the season begins, the question on everyone’s minds is, of course, which newly minted debutante will shine the brightest?” Coughlan reads from the premiere page, but Whistledown’s prediction for this season’s competitors isn’t exactly sunny. Watch the clip to hear the final lines of the scene — along with Coughlan, Newton and Jessie’s reactions. 

With five distinct celebrations, Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event includes first-look photos, never-before-seen footage, new trailers, behind-the-scenes access, celebrity appearances, interviews, and more from over 100 of your favorite series, films and specials.