In a recent interview with Elle UK, Coughlan described how conversations about her body often overshadowed the months of work she put into portraying Penelope Featherington, the central character of the show’s third season.
A Bizarre Fan Encounter
Coughlan recalled a moment when a drunken fan confronted her in a bathroom and began commenting on her body.
The actress said the woman enthusiastically praised the show because of her appearance, but the interaction left Coughlan deeply uncomfortable.
“I loved Bridgerton because of your body,” the fan reportedly told her.
The situation quickly became awkward as the fan continued discussing her body while standing directly in front of her.
Coughlan said the moment made her feel distressed, explaining that she hated seeing her work reduced to physical commentary.
She noted that filming a season of the show requires months of intense dedication — long hours on set, time away from family, and significant preparation — yet conversations often focus only on how actors look on screen.
The “Plus-Size” Label Debate
The actress also spoke about the surprising way her body was discussed during the production of Season 3.
While filming, Coughlan said she exercised regularly and lost weight in preparation for her scenes. At one point, she wore a size-8 corset while filming, which she described as smaller than her usual size.
Despite that, she said some people still described her as “plus-size,” something she found baffling.
She questioned what it says about the entertainment industry if someone of her size is considered the “largest” body type audiences are expected to see on screen.
The comments, she suggested, highlight how narrow beauty standards remain in film and television.
Rejecting the “Brave” Label
Coughlan has also pushed back against another recurring narrative surrounding her performance — the idea that she was “brave” for filming nude scenes in Season 3.
During a public Q&A event in Dublin, she joked about the label while addressing the crowd.
She said that describing an actor as brave for appearing nude simply because they do not match Hollywood’s traditional body type can feel like a backhanded compliment.
Instead of accepting the framing, Coughlan responded with humor, jokingly describing herself as part of the “perfect breasts community.”
Her comments were widely shared online and praised by fans for their bluntness.
Reclaiming Control of the Narrative
Coughlan revealed that she deliberately chose to appear “very naked” in certain scenes as a way of pushing back against the ongoing discussion about her body.
According to the actress, the decision was intentional.
She explained that she wanted the scenes to serve as a statement against the commentary surrounding her appearance.
For Coughlan, the choice was empowering. She has said she wants to look back decades from now and remember feeling confident and proud of how she looked during that time in her life.
“The Conversation Is Boring”
Despite being widely celebrated online as a body-positivity icon, Coughlan has said she does not particularly enjoy the label.
In more recent interviews, including comments from early 2026, she explained that she actually finds the entire body-positivity discourse exhausting.
According to the actress, she would much rather people focus on the work behind her performances — including months of preparation, acting training, dance lessons, and the effort required to bring Penelope’s story to life.
Her message to critics and fans has been direct: if someone has an opinion about her body, she would prefer they keep it to themselves.
Behind the Scenes of Season 3’s Romance
Season 3 of Bridgerton centered on the long-awaited romance between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton.
Coughlan has spoken openly about working with intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot to choreograph the show’s romantic scenes.
She explained that the process was highly collaborative, with both actors contributing ideas about how moments between their characters should unfold.
To help reduce awkwardness during filming, Coughlan and Newton reportedly spent time relaxing between takes in minimal costume to build comfort and familiarity on set.
The approach helped transform potentially uncomfortable scenes into something more technical — similar to rehearsing choreography for a dance or stunt.
Coughlan has also said their real-life friendship played a key role in the season’s chemistry. The two actors had known each other for about four years before filming their characters’ romance.
Responding to Fans and Critics
While Season 3 was hugely popular, some fans debated the show’s storytelling choices and the pacing of Penelope and Colin’s relationship.
Coughlan responded gently to criticism online, reminding viewers that actors do not control the order of storylines or which characters become the focus of each season.
She asked fans to be kind, emphasizing that while she plays Penelope on screen, she is simply following scripts created by the show’s writers and producers.
The Future of Bridgerton
Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for Seasons 5 and 6, ensuring the Regency-era romance will continue for years to come.
Filming for Season 5 is expected to begin in spring 2026.
Although official storylines have not been confirmed, showrunner Jess Brownell has hinted that upcoming seasons may shift focus toward other members of the Bridgerton family, including Eloise and Francesca.
For Coughlan, however, one thing remains clear: she hopes audiences will remember the effort behind the performances — not just the way actors look on screen.
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Nicola Coughlan
