Nicola Coughlan on Body Positivity, Her Exciting New Roles, and Why She's Done with Labels
If you've spent any time scrolling through social media lately, you'll know Nicola Coughlan has been dropping some serious truth bombs. The Bridgerton star, who absolutely won us over as the sharp-witted Penelope Featherington, is proving once again she's so much more than just another face in a corset. Fresh off the whirlwind of season three, she's fired back at the endless chatter about her body—and honestly, it's the most refreshing thing you'll read all week.
"How messed up is it that we're still defining people by their bodies?" she recently shot back, after noticing how headlines kept zeroing in on her weight loss instead of, you know, her actual work. The Irish actor isn't having a bar of the 'plus-size' label—or any label, for that matter. From her breakout role in Derry Girls to stealing every single scene in Bridgerton, her talent has always been the only thing that should matter. And she's spot on: why are we still picking apart women's bodies like they're public property? It's a message that really hits home here in Aotearoa, where we love a straight-talker who keeps it real.
But while she's busy schooling the internet on body positivity, Nicola's also quietly building a slate of projects that'll have you racing to get the dates in your diary. Word on the street is she's attached to some seriously exciting adaptations:
- Big Girl, Small Town: Word has it she's keen to bring Michelle Gallen's darkly comic debut to life. Set in post-Troubles Northern Ireland, it's a story absolutely dripping with dry wit and heart—basically a match made in heaven for someone with her comedic timing.
- The Magic Faraway Tree: She's rumoured to be voicing the film adaptation of Enid Blyton's beloved childhood classic. Just imagine that Irish lilt bringing the enchanted forest to life—our kids are about to get a whole new dose of magic.
- GOAT: Smalls Can Ball: In a brilliant left-field move, Nicola's been shouting from the rooftops about this basketball documentary on her socials. Turns out she's as obsessed with an underdog sports story as the rest of us. Who knew?
- Listening Still: A Novel: She's been spotted with this heartwarming Irish bestseller on set, and whispers are getting louder that she's got her eye on it for a screen adaptation. If it happens, expect something deeply personal and utterly charming.
For Kiwi audiences, Nicola feels like a kindred spirit. Maybe it's the way she has a laugh at herself, or how she refuses to take Hollywood too seriously. She's proof that you can be a global star without losing your humanity—or your sense of humour. Whether she's absolutely slaying on the red carpet or cosying up with a good book on set, she's doing it entirely on her own terms.
So here's to Nicola Coughlan: a woman who's well and truly done with labels, loaded with talent, and only just getting started. Trust me, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for what she does next.