Nicola Coughlan's stunning transformation : From 'Derry Girls' to star-making turn in 'Bridgerton'

Nicola Coughlan then and now

Nicola Coughlan has been enjoying the dreamiest run in her career as the leading lady of 'Bridgerton: Season 3'. Coughlan, famed for her portrayal of Penelope Featherington in the Netflix series, debuted with a minor role in 1997's 'My Brother's War'. But the 37-year-old actress found her footing in showbiz with her appearance as Clare in the comedy 'Derry Girls'. Since then, there is no looking back for the Irish actress. While her role as Penelope was that of a supporting character in the first two seasons of 'Bridgerton', the third season was for her to shine. Join us in witnessing Coughlan transforming from Clare in 'Derry Girls' to be the belle of the ton.

1. 2019

Though the actress appeared in a few roles as a child actress, her career in the entertainment industry got a major boost when she was 30. Talking to Refinery29, she once shared, "I came from a small village in the west of Ireland. I had no connections. I didn't have the money. I needed to take out a loan to go to drama school. I needed to work to pay off that loan. It took me until I was 30 to get a good job on television."

2. 2020

2020 happened to be a special year for Coughlan as she debutes as the fan favorite Penelope Featherington, who also famously lives a double life as the gossip columnist Lady Whistledown. Since then she has been a steady fixture in the steamy Regency romance that individually focuses on each of the Bridgerton sibling's love interests.

3. 2021

Much of Penelope's journey in the series deals with her warding off unsavory comments from her own mother, Lady Featherington, regarding her weight. Coughlan, too faced similarly unsavory scenario as several netizens criticized her plum figure. Following her Golden Globes appearance in 2021, Amanda Richards, host of 'The Big Calf Podcast' tweeted, “The fat girl from Bridgerton is wearing a black cardigan at the Golden Globes, (because) no matter how hot and stylish you are, if you’re a fat girl there will always be a black cardigan you think about wearing, then decide against, but ultimately wear (because) you feel like you have to.” Coughlan later took to her social media to retort back, saying, “I thought the cardigan looked ace. Molly Goddard used them on her runway with the dresses. That’s where the idea came from. Also, I have a name," per Elle. Following the heated exchange, she further wrote her opinion in a series of tweets, per Preview. She wrote, “It’s so reductive to women when we’re making great strides for diversity in the arts, but questions (about weight) just pull us backwards.” Coughlan added, “I’m not a body positivity activist, I’m an actor. I would lose or gain weight if (it’s) an important role requirement. My body is the tool I use to tell stories, not what I define myself by.”

4. 2022

Despite Coughlan's repeated firing backs, the actress was incessantly subjected to unwarranted opinions about her body. Exasperated, she took to her Instagram in 2022, to warn her naysayers, “If you have an opinion about my body, please, please don’t share it with me.” She added, “Most people are being nice and not trying to be offensive. But I am just one real-life human being and it’s really hard to take the weight of thousands of opinions on how you look being sent directly to you every day," per Preview.

5. 2022

Coughlan, however, doesn't shy away from sharing her experiences with excercising. In an October 2022 Instagram post, she posted a selfie after a session in gym, and wrote, "If I ever get up to exercise before work I do feel like I deserve a medal and that is just the truth," per Daily Mail. 

6. 2023

Coughlan, predominantly seen in period films till now, landed a recurrring role in 'Doctor Who' in 2023. Showrunner Russell T Davies shared in November 2023, "[We’ve got] Nicola Coughlan at Christmas. Not this Christmas, next Christmas. We’re shooting Christmas 2024 now,” per Deadline.

7. 2023

Despite proving herself to be a competent leading lady time again, the online chatter regarding her figure seldom subsided. In a recent interview with The Irish Times, the actress opened up about the comments she often receives, and said, "If you have an opinion about my body please, please don’t share it with me ... It’s really hard to take the weight of thousands of opinions on how you look being sent directly to you every day." She continued, "People love to undermine women and their hard work. I don’t think anything has improved unfortunately, but the only thing I can try and do is just go out there and do the best I can do with every job I’m given. And to hopefully get as many different roles as I can. All I care about is the work. Bodies change, if I lose weight or gain weight or I do anything it’s no one’s business, all I care about is doing good acting and being judged on that.”

8. 2024

Coughlan's transformation as an artist witnessed a major milestone after she decided to do a very liberating nude scene for 'Bridgerton'. After a section of commentators said she was "brave" for baring her body onscreen, she addressed the issue to Stylist during an interview. Coughlan explained, “You know, it is hard ’cause I think women with my body type, women with perfect breasts—we do not see ourselves onscreen enough. I am very proud as a member of the perfect-breasts community. I hope you enjoy seeing them.” She added, “I specifically asked for certain lines and moments to be included. It just felt like the biggest ‘f**k you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body, it was amazingly empowering."