After some fans responded to the announcement angrily, Coughlan reposted his story, calling him a “true gentleman,” “the kindest friend,” and a “dream costar.” Finishing everything off with a white heart emoji she wrote, ”Couldn’t have been luckier than to spend the last 6 months travelling the world with you @lukenewtonuk what a ride!”
7. She could not be more relatable
While some stars can seem a little too perfect and polished, Coughlan is consistently real and relatable. Just take this GLAMOUR interview when she revealed that her first kiss took place behind a shed at her school. “I remember thinking, like, ‘Is this what kissing is? It doesn’t seem great.’”
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Then there was the time when Coughlan made her Met Gala debut in 2022 and told Emma Chamberlain, “I always watch the Met at home in my pyjamas with no makeup on, eating crisps, really judging, being like, ‘Wow, they really didn’t do the theme.’”
Girl, same.
8. She works hard
A nepo baby she is not. It seems like Coughlan worked really, really hard to break into the industry, and for that, we can only applaud her.
In fact, after being rejected from two drama schools, Coughlan regrouped and found a series of retail jobs as she doggedly pursued the career. In a New York Times interview, she even revealed that there were times when she had less than $100 in her bank account.
“Deep, deep down, she believed in herself,” said playwright Camilla Whitehill in the same interview. “She did have some awful — like, truly, truly awful — part-time jobs that were depressing as hell. But I never really doubted her.”
9. She’s a writer, too
Is there anything this girl can’t do? In addition to being an immensely talented actor, Coughlan is also a wonderful writer. In fact, she has written two op-eds for The Guardian.
In the first, published in 2018, Coughlan calls out critics for commenting on her weight in their reviews of a Donmar Theatre production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. “I’m emboldened and inspired to come out and speak now, thanks to the work of the brilliant women in the Time’s Up movement. I hope in the future that more people will talk about our work, our inspirations, our drive, rather than our looks. A revolution is happening, and I want to play my part in it,” she wrote.
The second piece, from 2021, explores why she loves playing multi-dimension female characters. “The best moments on the sets of Derry Girls and Bridgerton came when the young women were allowed to be unapologetically themselves, never worrying that they might not be appealing,” she wrote. “I, for one, am excited by all the difficult, brilliant, complex women to come, who have yet to grace our screens. Long may the sisterhood reign over us.”
10. She is a chic icon. Always.
I would love to be as chic as Nicola Coughlan.
Exhibit A: In a recent GLAMOUR interview with fellow actor Lydia West, Coughlan revealed that she “only ever drinks Champagne” with West. So chic.
Exhibit B: This Mad Hatter Q&A when she revealed her favourite method of relaxation is a bubble bath and and her favourite food is “anything with garlic in it.”
Exhibit C: Her famous friends include the likes of Paul Mescal, Phoebe Bridgers, Mae Martin and Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness.
Imagine sipping Champagne in the tub before heading out to a garlic-filled meal with Paul Mescal. So chic!