Nicola Coughlan, the Irish actress known for her compelling performances and distinctive charm, is making waves in the entertainment industry. Born in Galway, Ireland, in 1987, Nicola first garnered attention with her role as Clare Devlin in the critically acclaimed series Derry Girls. Her rise to fame escalated with her portrayal of Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton. Recently, she also portrayed Sparkle Eyes Barbie alongside Margot Robbie's Stereotypical Barbie, making her mark on the year's most successful film, Barbie.
For her role as Penelope Featherington, Nicola received significant recognition, including nominations for major awards. Recently, she made headlines after being nominated for the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for the third season of Bridgerton. The exciting news broke just a day before her birthday, prompting her to share her joy via Instagram: “This is a very lovely early birthday present! I’m absolutely in shock and so honoured.”
Her character, Penelope, has taken center stage alongside Luke Newton’s Colin Bridgerton, and their on- and off-screen chemistry has intrigued fans, leading to questions about her personal life. Speculation has emerged around whether Nicola and Luke are romantically involved due to their characters' relationship dynamics. But rest assured, Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton are not dating; their relationship is strictly professional, with both actors playing each other's love interests.
Despite her increasing fame, Nicola tends to keep her personal life under wraps, especially concerning her relationships. When she spoke to Marie Claire Australia back in September 2023, she addressed the concept of 'red flags' and 'beige flags' when dating. "When guys want to do a Joker impression," she noted, "that’s just an immediate ick and it’s never good." She confessed that's not something she's personally experienced but has seen it all over social media. "No, I just want to retreat,” she humorously added.
On another note, she revealed her beige flag, which she openly admitted can come off as snobby: "This is really snobby, but when someone uses the wrong 'you’re'. That makes me go 'Oh'." Though she realizes this might be seen as superficial, she continues to struggle with it, saying, "But it can make me cringe a little bit." Yet, regardless of her preferences, Nicola chooses to maintain her romantic life away from public scrutiny.
Rumors about Nicola's romantic life became more pressing at the beginning of 2025 when she was spotted at the All Points East Festival in London. There, she was seen getting cozy with Jake Dunn, who is not just prominent as a film producer but also starred alongside Nicola's Derry Girls co-star Louisa Harland on Disney+ series Renegade Nell. It's evident the two have been socializing within the same circles for quite some time, with Jake frequently appearing on Nicola's social media posts.
While their chemistry has fueled public interest, neither Nicola nor Jake has officially confirmed their relationship status, leaving fans to wonder if there is something more between them.
The debate surrounding her personal life raises interesting questions on how public figures navigate the fine line between their professional and personal spheres, particularly as their popularity grows. Nicola Coughlan's charm lies not only in her acting prowess but also her ability to maintain some semblance of privacy, something many celebrities find challenging, especially with the scrutiny of social media.
With every new project she takes on, including her upcoming role in the film adaptation of The Magical Faraway Tree, it will be intriguing to see how Nicola carries forth her career and personal endeavors, continuing to captivate audiences both on and off screen.