Hold onto your Lady Whistledown hats, "Bridgerton" fans, because the rumor mill is churning, and this time, it's a doozy! Ever since Colin and Penelope (played by the oh-so-dreamy Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan) shared their wedding in the Season 3 finale, whispers of a real-life romance have been swirling faster than a quadrille at Lady Danbury's.
But wait! Before you start picking out hats for the #Polin wedding, we might need to redirect our matchmaking aspirations.
Because, darlings, have we been looking at this whole thing through rose-colored spectacles (or perhaps, Penelope’s signature lemon-hued ones)? New evidence suggests that Nicola's off-screen love story might not involve Colin after all… but rather, his own brother, Benedict?!
Don't get us wrong, the chemistry between Nicola and Luke N. is undeniable. Their playful banter during interviews, their shared love of all things "Bridgerton," and their adorable social media shoutouts are enough to make any fan swoon.
However, upon closer inspection, their interactions tell a different story. A story of a deep and supportive friendship… but one that might be strictly platonic.
Exhibit A: Their on-and-off-screen photos. While always charming, they're remarkably… G-rated. Hugs? Check. Friendly arm-touches? Check. Passionate, love-struck gazes? Not so much.
"I adore Luke [Newton], he's like my brother," Nicola gushed in a recent interview. "We have so much fun together on and off set.
"
Brotherly affection? It seems plausible… unless, of course, it's all a clever ruse.
Now, let's talk about Nicola and Luke Thompson. Our dear Benedict, often the quieter, more introspective Bridgerton brother, has been surprisingly close to Nicola off-screen. And we’re not just talking about your average, friendly-co-star closeness.
Exhibit B: That photo.
You know the one. Nicola, radiant in a sparkling gown, laughing as Luke T. holds her close, his arm wrapped firmly around her waist. It's the kind of photo that screams, "We're more than just friends!" or at the very least, whispers it conspiratorially behind a fan.
"There's just something about the way they look at each other," remarked one eagle-eyed fan on Twitter.
"The body language doesn't lie!"
Another chimed in, "Maybe Benedict was Penelope's true soulmate all along… just like in the books!"
Is this a classic case of the quiet, brooding artist sweeping the quirky, intelligent girl off her feet? Has Benedict finally found his muse in Penelope, both on-screen and off?
Or, are we letting our imaginations run wilder than Lady Featherington chasing after a suitable suitor?
Only time will tell, dear readers. But one thing's for certain: this unexpected twist has added a whole new layer of intrigue to the "Bridgerton" universe, both on and off the screen.
Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a strongly worded letter to write to Lady Whistledown, demanding answers!
