Nicola Coughlan says being called 'plus-size heroine' after 'Bridgerton' revealing scenes is 'insulting'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nicola Coughlan, who took a leading role in 'Bridgerton' Season 3, is pushing back against discourse surrounding her appearance, particularly when it comes to her revealing scenes.

The 37-year-old takes particular offense at being called "brave" for showing vulnerability as a "plus-sized" individual. 

Nicola Coughlan shuts down 'plus-size heroine' comments

In an interview with TIME, Nicola Coughlan addressed those who praised her for being "brave" in her more revealing scenes, saying, "Don’t call me brave. I have a cracking pair of boobs. There’s nothing brave about that, that’s actually just me showing them off."

The actress, who plays Penelope Featherington in the Netflix series, has faced scrutiny for her body throughout her career, but she doesn't think her body aligns with the "plus-size heroine" stereotype.

"I’m a few sizes below the average size of a woman in the UK and I’m seen as a 'plus-size heroine,'" said Coughlan, adding, "Making it about how I look is reductive and boring."

What truly frustrates Coughlan is the way people fixate on her looks rather than recognizing her hard work on the show.

"I worked my a**e off to make Bridgerton's third season," shared the actress, pointing out that she sacrificed time with loved ones during filming.

Yet, much of the conversation has been focused on her body. "People were just going, 'But your body' ... I don’t take it as nice."

Her frustration extends to the wider discussion about appearance in Hollywood, as she questions the value society places on weight and image.

"What if I was suddenly going to play a ballerina and lose a s**t ton of weight, are you not going to like me anymore?" asked Coughlan, calling such discussions "insane and so insulting."

Nicola Coughlan found the revealing scenes 'amazingly empowering'

Nicola Coughlan's nudity in Season 3 of 'Bridgerton' had become a widely debated subject even before the season aired, but the actress had a significant say in how these scenes were portrayed.

In a May interview with Stylist, she revealed that she "specifically asked for certain lines and moments" about her bareness to be included in the show.

"There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice," explained Coughlan. "It just felt like the biggest ‘f*** you' to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering."

Far from feeling objectified, Coughlan embraced the moment. "I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought: 'When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f***ing hot I looked!'" shared the 'Derry Girls' star. 

The actress asserted, "I feel great about the nudity in 'Bridgerton' Season 3 because not only did I consent to it, but I drove it."