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Every now and then, a star comes along who we simply can't help but fall in love with — and Nicola Coughlan is a wonderful example.
From her faultless comedic chops in Derry Girls to her swoon-worthy performance in Bridgerton to her remarkable advocacy work to her countless fashion slays, she is, for lack of a better word, a total babe. And yes, we are obsessed with her. Do we want to be best friends with her? Do we want to be her? Do we want to build a shrine to her and worship at it? Yes. To all of the above.
To quote poet Elizabeth Browning: Who do I love thee, Nicola Coughlan? Let me count the ways.
1. She's literally hilarious in Derry Girls
Whoever said women aren't funny has clearly never met Nicola Coughlan. Because the girl is laugh-out-loud hilarious. While Coughlan brings her comedic chops to practically every role she takes on (her turn in season 3 of Bridgerton, anyone?), it's as the chaotic, blunt Clare in Derry Girls that we really get to see her shine.
2. Her performance in Bridgerton season 3 had all of us swooning
Naturally, Coughlan was also very funny in Bridgeton. However, in season 3, her character, Penelope, had the chance to step into the role of leading lady — and Coughlan more than proved herself capable of the task. The perfect rom-com-esque heroine, Coughlan won us over with her perfect portrayal of Pen's pining, her awkward attempts at flirtation and, eventually, finally, her romance with Colin.
“We were locked in a carriage together with cameras outside. So it felt kind of real. It did feel intimate.”
3. She always serves on the red carpet
Nicola Coughlan is officially a fashion girlie. We must all bow down and thank her for her many serves. Just take her utterly stunning plunging black gown on the red carpet for Bridgerton season 3. During this year's press tour, she also wowed us with a dramatic sparkly pink gown complete with red velvet gloves and a headpiece, a bright yellow metallic plated gown that was the fashion equivalent of a piece of armour, a white, sculptural off-the-shoulder gown and voluminous baby blue mini paired with a deep red cloak.
Oh yeah, and she's officially a Skims girl now. What an icon.
4. Her advocacy work
One thing Nicola Coughlan will always do is use her platform for good. This year, as she's shot to fame as the leading lady of one of Netflix's biggest hits, she has used all of the media attention as an opportunity to speak up for people suffering in Gaza.
“I think it’s important to me because firstly, I’m a very privileged person,” she said to Teen Vogue of her decision to speak up for Gaza. “I’m so lucky I’ve gotten to this point in my career, and I’m privileged as a white woman, first off. Then the fact that I get to do the job I love and travel the world and meet amazing people, I feel a moral responsibility to give back."
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She went on, “Even before I was on television, I was involved in different causes. I went campaigning door-to-door for marriage equality in Ireland, I went on marches for abortion rights. I’ve always cared about causes and social justice.”
She concluded, "To me it always becomes about supporting all innocent people, which sounds oversimplified, but I think you’ve got to look at situations and just think, Are we supporting innocent people no matter where they’re from, who they are? That’s my drive.”
So far, she has raised a staggering $2 million for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Back in 2022, she also partnered with Choose Love to help raise money for the Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
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5. She knows exactly how to respond to dumb questions
Women in the entertainment industry often find themselves facing what we can only call dumb questions. It's been happening for years. Back in 1975, a reporter asked Helen Mirren, "Do you find that your figure, your physical attributes which people always go on about, hinder you in your pursuit of the ambition of being a successful actress?" In 2015, Taylor Swift once shot down a reporter who asked her how many men she would be taking home. And in 2024, Nicola Coughlan was asked if she felt brave for daring to do an intimate scene as a plus size woman.
Naturally, this legend had the perfect response.
“You know it is hard because I think women with my body type — women with perfect breasts,” Coughlan said, as the crowd erupted in laughter and applause. “We don't get to see ourselves on screen enough and I'm very proud as a member of the perfect breast community. I hope you enjoy seeing them."
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During a recent audience Q&A in Dublin, Coughlan jokingly shut down any further discourse surrounding her body.
6. She stands up for her co-stars
As if all of this weren't enough, Nicola Coughlan also seems to be a truly great friend and colleague. For instance, earlier this year, she wasted no time in quietly standing up for her Bridgerton co-star, Luke Newton, when fans accused him of faking a romance with Coughlan on the red carpet before revealing he was dating someone else in an Instagram story.
After some fans responded to the announcement angrily, Coughlan reposted his story, calling him a “true gentleman,” “the kindest friend,” and a “dream costar.” Finishing everything off with a white heart emoji she wrote, ”Couldn't have been luckier than to spend the last 6 months travelling the world with you @lukenewtonuk what a ride!”
7. She could not be more relatable
While some stars can seem a little too perfect and polished, Coughlan is consistently real and relatable. Just take this GLAMOUR interview when she revealed that her first kiss took place behind a shed at her school. “I remember thinking, like, ‘Is this what kissing is? It doesn’t seem great.'”
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Then there was the time when Coughlan made her Met Gala debut in 2022 and told Emma Chamberlain, “I always watch the Met at home in my pyjamas with no makeup on, eating crisps, really judging, being like, ‘Wow, they really didn’t do the theme.'”
Girl, same.
8. She works hard
A nepo baby she is not. It seems like Coughlan worked really, really hard to break into the industry, and for that, we can only applaud her.
In fact, after being rejected from two drama schools, Coughlan regrouped and found a series of retail jobs as she doggedly pursued the career. In a New York Times interview, she even revealed that there were times when she had less than $100 in her bank account.
“Deep, deep down, she believed in herself,” said playwright Camilla Whitehill in the same interview. “She did have some awful — like, truly, truly awful — part-time jobs that were depressing as hell. But I never really doubted her.”
“It just felt like the biggest ‘f-ck you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body.”
9. She's a writer, too
Is there anything this girl can't do? In addition to being an immensely talented actor, Coughlan is also a wonderful writer. In fact, she has written two op-eds for The Guardian.
In the first, published in 2018, Coughlan calls out critics for commenting on her weight in their reviews of a Donmar Theatre production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. “I’m emboldened and inspired to come out and speak now, thanks to the work of the brilliant women in the Time’s Up movement. I hope in the future that more people will talk about our work, our inspirations, our drive, rather than our looks. A revolution is happening, and I want to play my part in it,” she wrote.
The second piece, from 2021, explores why she loves playing multi-dimension female characters. “The best moments on the sets of Derry Girls and Bridgerton came when the young women were allowed to be unapologetically themselves, never worrying that they might not be appealing,” she wrote. “I, for one, am excited by all the difficult, brilliant, complex women to come, who have yet to grace our screens. Long may the sisterhood reign over us.”
10. She is a chic icon. Always.
I would love to be as chic as Nicola Coughlan.
Exhibit A: In a recent GLAMOUR interview with fellow actor Lydia West, Coughlan revealed that she "only ever drinks Champagne" with West. So chic.
Exhibit B: This Mad Hatter Q&A when she revealed her favourite method of relaxation is a bubble bath and and her favourite food is “anything with garlic in it.”
Exhibit C: Her famous friends include the likes of Paul Mescal, Phoebe Bridgers, Mae Martin and Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness.
Imagine sipping Champagne in the tub before heading out to a garlic-filled meal with Paul Mescal. So chic!
