Nicola Coughlan, the 37-year-old Irish actor known for her role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton, has made headlines with a bold move in the latest season of the regency drama. Coughlan, who has been vocal about the pressures of body image and the negative comments she has received, requested to appear “very naked” in a scene for the third season as a powerful message to her critics.
Taking the Lead
In the latest installment of Bridgerton, Coughlan steps into the spotlight as the leading lady, opposite Luke Newton’s Colin Bridgerton. Last month, she expressed her astonishment at landing such a prominent role, remarking on her transition from a supporting character to center stage.
“And it’s not because I find myself hideous, as some people have assumed when I say that,” the Derry Girls alum explained. “Pen was a supporting character, the oddball in the corner, but this time she’s very much centre stage.”
A Personal Choice
In a recent interview with Stylist, Coughlan delved into her collaboration with Bridgerton’s intimacy coordinator, Lizzy Talbot, on the season’s sex scenes. She revealed that her decision to be “very naked” on camera was a deliberate one.
“You go, ‘Ok, what do I want to show? What don’t I want to show? What’s scripted, and what do I want to add?’” Coughlan said. “I specifically asked for certain lines and moments to be included. There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice. It just felt like the biggest ‘fuck you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering. I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought: ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how fucking hot I looked!’”
Battling Body Shamers
Coughlan’s decision is rooted in her personal experiences with body shaming and unsolicited comments about her appearance. In 2022, she posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, urging fans to stop commenting on her body.
“Most people are being nice and not trying to be offensive but I am just one real-life human being and it’s really hard to take the weight of thousands of opinions on how you look being sent directly to you every day,” she wrote. “If you have an opinion about me that’s ok, I understand I’m on TV and that people will have things to think and say but I beg you not to send it to me directly.”
In an interview with the Irish Times, she reiterated her stance: “All I care about is the work. Bodies change, if I lose weight or gain weight or I do anything it’s no one’s business, all I care about is doing good acting and being judged on that.”
Bridgerton Season 3: Penelope’s Journey
The third season of Bridgerton finds Penelope Featherington navigating new challenges and relationships. According to the official logline, Penelope has “finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton after hearing his disparaging words about her last season.”
“She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters. But lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly.”
A Special Bond with Luke Newton
Coughlan also spoke about her unique relationship with co-star Luke Newton, attributing their bond to their shared experience of rising to fame through Bridgerton.
Nicola Coughlan’s decision to appear naked in Bridgerton Season 3 is a testament to her confidence and determination to take control of the narrative surrounding her body. By embracing her role as the leading lady and challenging societal expectations, Coughlan continues to inspire and empower, proving that popularity and power go hand in hand when used to make a bold statement against body shaming.
