Nicola Coughlan, star of the Netflix hit “Bridgerton,” has revealed her reasons for appearing nude in the upcoming season of the series. The actress, known for her role as Penelope Featherington, shared her thoughts on the decision during an interview with the Los Angeles Times and Stylist. She explained that by the end of the day, she and her co-star Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, were comfortable enough to relax under a blanket without any clothes, jokingly noting, “This is why nudists do it.”
Coughlan, who has been part of “Bridgerton” since its debut in 2020, discussed her motivations for the explicit scenes. She worked closely with the show’s intimacy coordinator to decide what she was comfortable showing on screen. Reflecting on the experience, she mentioned that she specifically requested certain lines and moments to be included in the show. “There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice,” she said. Coughlan described the scene as an empowering moment, allowing her to push back against negative commentary about her body and celebrate her own beauty.
The 37-year-old actress has previously addressed body-shaming comments from trolls. In a 2022 Instagram post, she urged people to refrain from sharing unsolicited opinions about her body, emphasizing the difficulty of handling such scrutiny daily. She reiterated to The Irish Times that her primary focus is on her acting, not her appearance, and she hopes to be judged on her work rather than her weight.
Despite her willingness to participate in nude scenes, Coughlan had a specific clause in her contract with Netflix to ensure a PG edit of the series was available for her parents. She explained that growing up in an Irish Catholic family influenced this decision, as she wanted to maintain her family’s comfort and respect their values.
The first part of “Bridgerton” season three is now available on Netflix, continuing to captivate audiences with its blend of romance, drama, and period allure. Coughlan’s candidness about her choices and experiences adds another layer to the show’s appeal, highlighting the personal and professional journeys of its cast members.
