The Featherington family in Bridgerton.

Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s book series of the same name, but the Netflix show is known for changing several aspects of the original story, including completely removing one of the Featherington sisters. The historical romance series follows the individual love stories of one Bridgerton sibling, with season 1 covering Daphne’s relationship with Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, season 2 exploring Anthony’s epic enemies-to-lovers romance with Kate Sharma, and season 3 centering around Colin finally realizing his feelings for Penelope Featherington. Penelope has pined for Colin for years, and it’s time for him to reciprocate her love.

Many moments from Bridgerton season 3 come from the book (Romancing Mister Bridgerton, the fourth installment in Quinn’s Bridgerton book series). For example, the circumstances behind Colin and Penelope’s first kiss, the buzzworthy carriage scene, and more come directly from the source material. Of course, the episodes contain multiple events that never happened in the novel, and Bridgerton season 3 even changes components of the book’s story, like excluding Penelope’s younger sister, Felicity.

Who Is Felicity Featherington? Penelope’s Other Sister From The Books Explained

Felicity Is The Youngest Featherington Sibling

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Polly Walker as Portia Featherington in Bridgerton season 3, episode 1

In Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, Portia Featherington actually has four daughters — Prudence, Philippa, Penelope, and Felicity. However, Polly Walker’s character only has three daughters in the Netflix show since the writers and producers cut Felicity from the story. In the novels, Felicity is the youngest Featherington daughter and the same age as Hyacinth Bridgerton, who is 12 years old as of Bridgerton season 3.

Given they are the same age, Felicity and Hyacinth are close friends in the Bridgerton novels. Felicity also isn’t heard about much because of her young age, which prohibits her from attending the same balls and parties as her older sisters. However, by 1824, Felicity had made her debut and began her search for a husband (while two of her siblings, Prudence and Philippa, were already married). Felicity eventually married Geoffrey Albansdale after their courtship during the season, which her mother wasn’t too happy about as Portia had her eyes set on another man for her youngest daughter.

Why Bridgerton Cut Felicity Featherington

The Showrunner Revealed Why Removing Felicity Was Important For Penelope’s Story

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton season 3, episode 2-2

At first glance, the producers’ decision to completely exclude Felicity Featherington from the narrative in Netflix’s Bridgerton is a bit confusing. However, Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell explained why Felicity is nowhere to be seen in the historical romance series during an interview with TV Insider. Brownell said:

“I think [that] was a smart decision. I think that was a decision made by [creator] Chris Van Dusen and [executive producer] Shonda [Rhimes] early on in the pilot. It just gets hard to characterize three siblings, especially when the Featheringtons are in a secondary position. The main dramatic purpose of the Featherington sisters, they’ve obviously been comedic relief, but they’re there to play as a foil to Penelope … I think in the books, if I’m not mistaken, Felicity is like a kinder sister. I think dramatically it helped Pen [in the show] feel even more isolated and alone and underscored her plight to have her be in this viper’s nest with her sisters who are not very nice to her, and her mother who underestimates her, so we ended up really not needing that character.”

Of course, the Bridgerton siblings are the main focal point of Bridgerton, given that each season revolves around their individual romances. Consequently, the Featherington sisters are the secondary family in the Netflix show. So, since there are already eight Bridgerton siblings to account for, including all four Featherington sisters in the story might have made the series feel slightly overstuffed with characters. But as Brownell explained, Felicity had to be the one to be cut from the plot because of her close relationship with Penelope (and removing her also eases Colin and Penelope’s already scandalous love story in Bridgerton season 3).