Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
If you’ve ever been aBridgertonbinge-watcher (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?), then you know that Nicola Coughlan is a name that has stuck like a good cup of Earl Grey tea on a lazy Sunday.
From being a wallflower inBridgertonto the hilarious Clare Devlin inDerry Girls,Coughlan has done more than just steal hearts—she’s effortlessly shown the world that talent doesn’t need to shout, it speaks softly, yet powerfully.
However, have you ever stopped to wonder,“Who’s the woman behind those stunning Regency gowns?”Or, more intriguingly, “Where is she really from, and what’s her heritage?”Sure, we all know Penelope, but how much do we truly know about Nicola Coughlan? Her character inBridgertonis a secret writer and a master of the perfect tea-drinking posture, but there’s so much more to this Irish gem than meets the eye.
Well, pull up a chair, and let’s spill some tea!
What is Nicola Coughlan’s nationality and ethnicity?
Nicola Coughlanis Irish by nationality, having been born in Galway, Ireland, on July 24, 2025. As for her ethnicity, she is of Irish descent, with both parents hailing from Ireland, and her roots deeply intertwined with the country’s rich culture and history.
Growing up in Oranmore, a picturesque village on Ireland’s western coast, the actress, now 37, was part of a military family (viaCapital FM).
“That scene encapsulates everything”: Bridgerton Season 3 Actor Claims His ‘Exposed’ Scenes With Nicola Coughlan is the Heart of the Series
Her father served in the Irish Army, while her mother nurtured the family from home. Coughlan attended Scoil Mhuire for primary school and Calasanctius College for secondary school, later studying English and Classical Civilisation at the National University of Ireland, Galway (perConnacht Tribune). But she wasn’t content with merely learning the theory—she wanted to act.
So, like any determined artist, she packed her bags for England, training at the Oxford School of Drama and the Birmingham School of Acting (viaBelfast Telegraph).
Though her academic journey was no walk in the park, it didn’t quite gear her up for the two worlds she was about to step into. InDerry Girls, Nicola Coughlan’s portrayal of the neurotic yet endearing Clare Devlin, navigating the chaos of ’90s Northern Ireland, won her fans in droves. But it wasBridgertonthat truly sent her career into overdrive, taking her to new heights.
The Netflix period drama offered a striking contrast toDerry Girls, thrusting Coughlan into the glamorous, upper-crust society of Regency-era London as the overlooked Penelope (Featherington) Bridgerton. But if you think it’s all about fancy gowns and a stiff upper lip, you’re barking up the wrong tree. There’s much more beneath the surface!
While Coughlan sports a thick Irish accent in Derry Girls, she switches gears and adopts a distinctly English accent inBridgerton. One might be surprised to learn that while Coughlan’s English accent as Penelope is flawless, she’s actually a proud Irishwoman.
Nicola Coughlan’s contract clause to protect her Irish Catholic parents fromBridgerton’s steamy scenes
We all have that one relative who’s less than thrilled at the idea of us starring in steamy TV scenes. ForBridgertonstar Nicola Coughlan, that relative is her Irish Catholic parents.
In an interview withSiriusXM Hits 1, the actress shared a hilarious tidbit about how she managed to protect her parents from the steamy scenes inBridgerton—or at least limit their exposure (viaThe Independent). Coughlan revealed that she had a specificclause added to her contract: a PG version of the show for her family to watch. As Coughlan explained:
It’s literally written into my contract. People think I’m like saying it as a joke. I just don’t want to. I grew up Irish Catholic. That’s just not how we vibe.
Coughlan’s family, particularly her mother, were thrown into the deep end when they first tuned intoBridgerton. As if the prim and proper world of Regency London wasn’t enough of a shock, they were greeted withJonathan Bailey’s bare bottom within the first few minutes of the series. Coughlan laughed, recalling her mother’s initial reaction:
When she first saw Bridgerton, she didn’t know it was gonna be so saucy. And then you get a bottom, Jonathan Bailey’s lovely bottom, about two minutes into the first episode ever. And she was like, ‘What is this?’
But her mother quickly warmed to the show’s cheeky charm. “Now she thinks it’s fantastic and really funny, and she keeps talking about bottoms,”Coughlan added, clearly amused by her mother’s growing fondness for the show’s more playful moments.
It’s safe to say thatBridgertonhas become a family favorite—just, you know, with some PG edits for those who aren’t quite ready for all the n*dity and drama.
Despite the humorous moments, there’s no denying the overwhelming success ofBridgerton. The show garnered 251.74 million viewing hours between March 28 and August 10, 2025 (perDeadline)—a clear indicator that the world has fallen in love with the period drama’s blend of passion and jaw-dropping moments.
Did Nicola Coughlan lead the charge for women’s rights in Northern Ireland?
Change starts with action, and action starts with courage. These words could easily be used to describe Nicola Coughlan, whose impact stretches far beyond the screen. Known for her role inDerry Girls, her activism has made her a trailblazer in her own right. It’s one thing to shine in front of the camera, but it takes an entirely different kind of strength to stand up for what you believe in.
“It’s literally written into my contract”: ‘Bridgerton’ Star Nicola Coughlan Strikes an Unusual Deal With Netflix Series Execs For Her Parents’ Sake
In 2019, Coughlan took a bold step into the real world to make her voice heard. Alongside herDerry Girlsco-star, Siobhán McSweeney, she led a powerful march in Northern Ireland to raise awareness about women who were forced to travel to England for abortion procedures.
The march was symbolic, with each participant carrying a suitcase, representing the 28 women who made this journey every week—facing not just the physical but emotional burden of leaving their own country for a procedure that should have been available to them at home. Coughlan made her stance clear, tellingGrazia:
Women are being treated like criminals in their own country.
McSweeney, who marched alongside her, echoed her sentiments, adding:
This is an issue of neglect. It might seem like a silly stunt with suitcases, but it is drawing attention to the fact that people are incredibly ignorant…If we can raise the awareness that people have about the North, that’s all we can do.
In these words, there’s a powerful urgency, a cry for awareness, and a rallying cry for action—because real change can’t take root until we first expose the issues that have long been hidden under the rug.
Nicola Coughlan on body transformation: Body changes are a role requirement
Who knew posting a workout selfie could spark a full-blown body critique?
Nicola Coughlan, the shortest cast member inBridgertonat 5′ 1″ (viaIMDb), has always been upfront about her boundaries. So, when she posted a cheeky post-workout selfie to her Instagram story (viaStylist), she probably didn’t expect it to spark a storm of tabloid headlines. But, as always, tabloids have a way of turning innocent moments into full-blown scandals.
What was a light-hearted, “I’m proud I made it to the gym”moment quickly turned into a full-blown discussion of her“body transformation”. Let’s be real here—when Coughlan shared her post-workout photo, she didn’t mention any“transformation,” weight loss, or body goals. She didn’t even make it a point to boast about looking any different—she just made a funny remark about feeling like a medal-winner for working out before work.
But for some reason, that snap caught the attention of tabloids, which began pushing the narrative that Coughlan was flaunting a “trim new look”. Why? Because of the constant pressure for women, especially those in the public eye, to “transform” their bodies.
In an interview withRefinery29, Coughlan addressed the issue head-on, explaining that while she’s often grouped into the“body positivity”movement, that’s not her focus:
There are so many incredible people who are, and I admire them and think they’re wonderful, but that’s not my focus. I’m an actor. That’s the bottom line for me.
If her role calls for a specific body type, then so be it—she’ll dive into the character. It’s about the role, not the body. She added:
If I was playing a ballerina or an Olympic gymnast, I may have to lose a bunch of weight. If I’m playing a sumo wrestler, I may have to gain a load of weight. If it’s relevant in the script, then it’s relevant to me.
The actress pointed out that the demands of a role should dictate how she might alter her body for a particular character.
Nicola Coughlan’s response to ‘brave’ body comment during the Dublin Q&A
The bizarre obsession with her body didn’t stop there. Earlier this year, at a Q&A in Dublin, a male journalist called Nicola Coughlan “brave” for playing Penelope Featherington. She responded with her trademark humor, quipping (viaVogue),
You know, it is hard because I think women with my body type—women with perfect breasts—we don’t get to see ourselves onscreen enough. And I’m very proud as a member of the perfect breasts community. I hope you enjoy seeing them.
And she’s not alone. HerBridgertonco-star Simone Ashley, who portrays Kate Bridgerton, has spoken out in support of Coughlan, praising her for her strength and resilience (viaVariety):
She’s a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman. She’s also a really kind human being, and I think that’s such a universal language that people can relate to.
Well, Nicola Coughlan, who’s built her reputation brick by brick, is a fine example of resilience in an industry that often thrives on flashiness. Whether she’s bringing Penelope’s emotional turmoil to life inBridgertonor making us laugh till we cry inDerry Girls, there’s one certain thing: Coughlan is not just a fleeting face—she’s here to stay, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
So, next time you see Penelope Bridgerton on screen, remember that behind the character’s wit and heartache lies an Irish talent who has not only mastered the art of accents but has also become one of the most beloved actresses of our time. Her nationality? Irish. Her ethnicity? Irish. Her legacy? Still being written…one role at a time.
All seasons ofBridgertonare available to stream on Netflix.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
