If you haven't heard of Nicola Coughlan yet, get ready to be obsessed. This Irish actress is taking Hollywood by storm, thanks to her scene-stealing role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's smash hit, Bridgerton. But Coughlan's journey to stardom is anything but an overnight success story. Get ready for the untold truth about this hilarious and talented actress, from her humble beginnings in Galway to her A-list friendship with Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness.
Long before she was donning Regency-era gowns and navigating the scandalous world of Bridgerton, Coughlan was making a name for herself in the UK and Ireland as the lovable Clare Devlin in Netflix's Derry Girls.
But her path to success was paved with the usual struggles of a young actress trying to make it. Coughlan's acting journey began at the tender age of nine, and she spent her twenties bouncing between auditions, odd jobs, and a persistent fear of credit card declines.
"My twenties were rough," Coughlan admitted in an interview. "Being broke all the time is incredibly stressful."
Coughlan's big break came when she landed the role of Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton. But did you know that she credits Shonda Rhimes' best-selling book, Year of Yes, with helping her through the audition process?
"I basically clung to Shonda like Oprah does to her guests," Coughlan hilariously recalled. "I'd never done that to anyone before! But she was so gracious."
As Penelope, Coughlan rocks a head of fiery red hair. But in real life, she's a natural blonde. "People were shocked to see my real hair color," Coughlan joked on Twitter.
"A driver on set once asked if it was my first day because he didn't recognize me without the wig!"
And her secret to looking youthful enough to play a teenager well into her thirties? "Maybe it's all the prosecco," Coughlan quipped to The Guardian. Hey, whatever works!
Hold onto your hats, because this is where things get really interesting.
Coughlan's best friend is none other than Queer Eye fab five member, Jonathan Van Ness! The pair are inseparable, attending Elton John's Oscar party together and gushing about each other on social media.
Van Ness even visited Coughlan on the set of Bridgerton, with Coughlan captioning an Instagram photo of their reunion, "Category is: Bring your cutie pie love dove friend to work day."
With her infectious energy, comedic timing, and undeniable talent, Nicola Coughlan is a force to be reckoned with. And with a second season of Bridgerton under her belt and a global fanbase eagerly awaiting more, it's clear that this is just the beginning of her Hollywood success story.
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