Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton might have put her pen to rest and retire as Lady Whistledown towards the end of Bridgerton season 4, but the character is expected to live on with another mysterious person wielding the quill. In an unexpected twist towards the end of the latest season whose second set of episodes premiered on February 26, it was revealed that the Whistledown gossip papers are continuing to be published—And Penelope is clueless on the person's identity.

Since Bridgerton season 4 part 2's release, the ton as well as audiences have been left in shock for a new Whistledown is taking over Penelope's much-adored papers. The cliffhanger was enough to send internet into a spiral on who could the next Whistledown be with many theories pointing to three main characters.

Mrs Mondrich aka Alice

In the current season, Emma Naomi channels her quiet strength in season 4, taking her character arc from being a boxer's wife to inheriting a title and moving into society's glitz and grandeur. She has now been appointed as the new lady-in-waiting for Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) based on the recommendation of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh). She gets to know about Sophie (Yerin Ha) and Benedict Bridgerton's (Luke Thompson) love story and uses it to her advantage to reveal their betrothal at the right time. She holds the key to keeping the Queen happy with even the latter appreciating her spirited and energetic nature. She also tells the queen how she loves gossip, and if not for her, who else could it be?

Hyacinth Bridgerton

Bridgerton family's youngest sibling Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) is at a pivotal juncture in her life as she held her first recital this season and is all set for her debut in the marriage mart. But only Eloise, Benedict and mother Violent Bridgerton know about her escapades to balls and events she is not allowed to. She has previously slipped into several parties unknown and during the last few episodes, she gets dressed as a maid to enter into Cressida Cowper's (Jessica Madsen) first ball as the new Lady Penwood, thanks to Sophie's help. So, would she be the one to bring fresh, juicy gossip to the ton from now on?

Mrs Varley

Lorraine Ashbourne's character as Mrs Varley is surely one among the key characters to remember in Bridgerton throughout all the seasons as she isn't just an efficient housekeeper, but also the harbinger of all the best gossip from across the ton. Remember the scene where Penelope mentions Varley brings the best secrets from all of Mayfair after being fired from the Featherington household? It is also common knowledge that the maids know about the who's who of society and what secrets they carry. However, not all maids know to read and write. Sophie was an exception as she grew up in the Penwood house and was born to a nobleman. With Julie Andrews' voice moving into an almost Varley-esque tone, she may very well hold the power of Whistledown's pen—if it is revealed next season that she is indeed well read.

Eloise Bridgerton

Eloise (Claudia Jessie) has always been a troublemaker. From sneaking out to make friends with Theo Sharpe to announcing that she has decided to be "on the shelf" throughout season 4, Eloise is known for her acts that could be deemed disrespectful and borderline scandalous. Throughout the four seasons, she was the one keen on finding who Whistledown is and all of last season, Eloise was Queen's personal detective. She is nosy, observing and carries a rebellious energy, which is enough clues to speculate her identity as the next Lady Whistledown, especially since she wants to create a change in society. It could also be a powerful lead-on for season 5 as she might take the centrestage in finally finding her loved one.