Leave it to Nicola Coughlan, the queen of quick wit and self-assured charm, to navigate the often-awkward world of watching "Bridgerton" with your parents. The hit Netflix series, known for its lavish costumes, scandalous romances, and, ahem, rather intimate scenes, isn't exactly family viewing material for everyone.
But Coughlan, who plays the ever-so-loveable Penelope Featherington (aka Lady Whistledown herself!), isn't sweating it.
Why? Because this savvy actress came prepared.
A Clause for the Catholic Household: Inside Nicola's Genius Contract Stipulation
In a recent interview, Coughlan dropped a bombshell revelation: she has it written into her contract that her family receives a special edit of "Bridgerton" – one that conveniently omits any love scenes involving her character.
“It’s literally written into my contract. People think I’m saying it as a joke,” Coughlan shared, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
“We grew up Irish Catholic. That’s just not how we vibe.”
And who can blame her? We're picturing the mortification of watching your on-screen alter ego engage in some seriously steamy clinches with your dear old mum and dad just feet away. Shudder.
From "Derry Girls" to "Bridgerton" Bombshell: Nicola's Career Continues to Sizzle
This season, Coughlan takes center stage as Penelope's long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (played by the equally charming Luke Newton) blossoms into a full-fledged romance.
And while fans are eagerly devouring every stolen glance and longing look, Coughlan's family gets to enjoy the courtship without the, shall we say, distractions.
"We Decided What We Wanted to Show": Coughlan on Taking Control of Intimacy
Coughlan, however, is no stranger to on-screen intimacy. She addressed the topic head-on in another interview, revealing that she and Newton had a great deal of agency when it came to filming those more delicate scenes.
"We decided what we wanted to show and how we wanted to choreograph the scenes," Coughlan explained. "We had agency and we could let it flow. Thankfully, we had that physical comfort with one another – so it ended up being a really beautiful thing.”
Nicola's Message: Embrace Your Body, Embrace Your Boundaries
Coughlan's approach to "Bridgerton"'s steamier side is a masterclass in owning your sexuality while also setting firm boundaries. She's open about feeling empowered by her body and her choices, but she's also not afraid to prioritize her comfort and her family's sensibilities.
And that's a message we can all get behind. So cheers to Nicola Coughlan for showing us that you can have your cake (or should we say, heart-shaped box of bonbons?) and eat it too – even if your parents are watching.
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