Inside Nichola Coughlan’s life when she’s not causing chaos as Whistledown in Bridgerton

She’s a huge fan of MAFS

7 months ago

Nicola Coughlan is an absolute QUEEN in season three of Bridgerton. Her characters glow up, the development and her chemistry with Colin? All major chef’s kiss. As well as being as incredible as Penelope and Lady Whistledown, Nicola has also starred in other major TV shows and movies including Derry Girls and Barbie. But what about when she’s not on-screen?

Inside Nicola Coughlan’s vibey life when she’s not playing Penelope Featherington and being an icon in season three of Bridgeton:

Nicola Coughlan is 37 and is from Galway, Ireland

Much to the surprise of a lot of people given how well she plays teenagers, Nicola Coughlan is 37. She was born on the 9th of January 1987 and began acting at the age of 10.

She’s a relatable queen and loves reality TV

I’m actually obsessed with her. In a recent interview she admits she watches a lot of reality telly and, in particular, she’s a big fan of MAFS Australia which she religiously watches. She said Tahnee and Ollie were her favourite couple. “Tahnee and Ollie were so cute and Bronte and Harrison, that was very stressful to watch but it’s fantastic,” she told Pedestrian TV.

She’s also said on a red carpet that she’s a huge fan of the TikTok page Sylvanian Drama and honestly how relatable.

She’s got loads of famous friends

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A post shared by Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan)

Nicola has a load of famous friends and she’s best friends with Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness. The two became friends when Nicola posted a video on Twitter of her wearing a hoodie with Jonathan’s face on. Then speaking to POPSUGAR, Jonathan said: “I saw that video and I was like, “Oh my God, I love her!”, cause I’d already like seen all of ‘Derry Girls’ season one and I was obsessed. We just made friends after that…We’ve been really close friends ever since.”

They’ve been on a group holiday to Hawaii and also went to Beyonce’s Renaissance tour together. Lydia West from It’s A Sin also appears to be in their friendship group.

Nicola also became friends with Kim Kardashian after they bonded over the initial series of Bridgerton. Speaking to Bustle, Nicola said: “I woke up one morning and had a DM from Kim Kardashian. I was like, “What is going on?” So weird! We talked about Bridgerton.”

Nicola also messaged her to wish her good luck ahead of an appearance on Saturday Live, to which Kim messaged her to say thank you. They’ve been friends ever since

And after her cameo in the Barbie movie, Nicola also became friends with Margot Robbie. Margot spoke to FM104 about Nicola, saying: “Isn’t she just the best? I told you today, I just love, I love Ireland, I love the Irish. Nicola being in the movie is just the icing on the cake for the Barbie movie. We’re so lucky.”

She’s also besties with her co-star Luke Newton

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A post shared by Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan)

Having denied relationship rumours, Nicola Coughlan is besties with her co-tar Luke Newton who plays Colin. Addressing the dating rumours, Nicola said: ““We think it’s really sweet … because we truly love each other. He is a really special person in my life, and I got to do this experience with him. I’ll never get to do something like this again, on this scale … It’s so nice having such a lovely friend that I can do all this with.”

She used to work at a frozen yoghurt shop before she became famous

Speaking to the Radio Times, Nicola admitted that she “lived a whole life” before Bridgerton happened. “I worked a million different jobs, lived in different places, in terrible house shares with mould on the walls. It’s funny because people see you at fancy events and think you must be fancy. I was making frozen yoghurt in Westfield not long ago. This is not normal for me.”

“Moving to London was hardcore because I was really broke. I was in debt. I had to work every hour of the day to afford to live there – but that meant I had no time to audition. I didn’t last terribly long that first time in London – probably six to eight months.”

But she now has a net worth of £1.6 million

After appearing in Bridgerton, Derry Girls, Barbie, Harlots and more, Nicola Coughlan is reported to have a net worth of £1.6 million.

She’s currently believed to be single

Nicola lives very privately so we don’t know much about her relationship status, although she is believed to be single.

Previously, it was reported that she dated actor Laurie Kynaston, who appeared as Phillip in Derry Girls and as Corey in Fool Me Once, but neither of them addressed the rumours.

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A post shared by Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan)

Most recently, she has been rumoured to be dating none other than her Bridgerton co-star, Luke Newton. But, a source close to the two actors confirmed “they are not dating,” according to People. Then, in an interview with Extra TV, she confirmed they’re just friends. “We think it’s really sweet, I think because we truly love each other,” she said.

“He is a really special person in my life. I’ll never get to do something like this again, on this scale.”

She’s done a lot of charity work and advocacy

Nicola Coughlan has done a lot of work for charity and is big into political activism. In April 2022 after the release of the third series of Derry Girls, Nicola protested the attempted privatisation of Channel 4, posting a picture of herself holding up a middle finger on Instagram and linking to a change.org petition.

the day bridgerton comes out… oh what a woman you are nicola coughlan! pic.twitter.com/nqy7UBj10s

— agapé is ISO ERAS LONDON N7/ N8 (@agapethamar) May 16, 2024

Nicola has also been very vocal about the Israel–Hamas war, posting infographics and activism on her social media. Nicola Coughlan was one of over two thousand to sign an Artists for Palestine letter calling for a ceasefire and accusing Western governments of “not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them.”