Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan Slams Body Comments After Her Weight Loss

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Nicola Coughlan doesn’t want the ton buzzing about her appearance.

Nicola Coughlan, the actress known for her role as Penelope in Bridgerton, has stated she doesn’t want to discuss her body or weight loss publicly.

In a recent interview with Elle, the actress explained that a statement she often makes, which sometimes upsets people, is that she isn’t interested in the concept of ‘body positivity.’ She shared that growing up, she never focused on actors’ bodies and doesn’t feel it’s something she needs to consider.

Coughlan explained she wasn’t interested in it. ‘I have many passions, but this isn’t one of them,’ she said. ‘It’s just not for me.’

The 39-year-old actress was shocked and upset by the comments about her appearance during intimate scenes with her co-star, Luke Newton (who plays Colin Bridgerton), in the latest season of the show.

It was strange, while filming the show, I was working out a lot and had lost a significant amount of weight – I was around a size 10. But then people started calling me plus-size, which made me question what standards we have if I’m considered the largest acceptable body type on television.

She also had to deal with these comments directly. The actress, who starred in Derry Girls, was especially bothered when someone who followed Bridgerton approached her in public and started a conversation about body positivity.

I’ll never forget when a very drunk woman cornered me in a bathroom and told me she enjoyed watching Bridgerton because of my appearance. She started commenting on my body, and I honestly just wanted to disappear – it was incredibly upsetting.

Nicola Coughlan is frustrated that discussions about her work on the show often focus on her appearance rather than her dedication and effort. She explained that it’s disheartening to pour months of work and personal sacrifice into a project, only for the conversation to center on how she looks, calling it a tiresome and superficial issue.

Her packed schedule also requires sacrifices, including the effort to keep her relationship with her boyfriend, Jake Dunn, 26, strong despite the distance.

We really try to stay connected. I send him silly videos and we video chat a lot, but he’s incredibly busy. I used to just admire him as an actor, but I actually love that he’s focused on his own projects and has a lot going on in his life.

Want more tea on the real-life love lives of Bridgerton stars? Well, dear reader, you’re in luck:

I was so thrilled to see Penelope and Colin finally get together in season three! But honestly, I’m even more excited about Nicola Coughlan’s real life! I’ve heard rumors she’s dating Jake Dunn, who was in Renegade Nell, and they seem so cute together. I’m really hoping it’s true!

Though their characters don’t have a romance on screen, the actors who play Lord Debling and Prudence Dankworth are reportedly a couple in real life.

And it appears that Carter’s mum Imelda Staunton approves.

As many of you know, I adored watching Daphne Bridgerton find her happily ever after with Simon Basset on Bridgerton. Well, the actress who brought Daphne to life, Phoebe Dynevor, is now planning her own real-life wedding! It’s so lovely to see their on-screen romance inspire something beautiful off-screen, and I’m thrilled for her as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.

Dynevor flashed her engagement ring from producer Cameron Fuller at the 2024 Met Gala.

Regé-Jean Page, who played the Duke of Hastings and left Bridgerton after the first season, generally keeps his private life to himself. However, he’s appeared very happy with writer Emily Brown since 2021.

Like Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton, the English actor prefers to stay mum on romantic affairs.

In December 2023, he told The Standard that he was in a private, but known, relationship with a wonderful man.

Maintaining a private life is incredibly important to me,” said the star of Fellow Travelers. “I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable speaking up about issues if I felt like my personal life was constantly being scrutinized.”

Simone Ashley, known for her role in Sex Education and initially linked to Anthony following his return from India, publicly confirmed her relationship with Tino Klein on Instagram in March 2023. However, she later announced on BBC’s Woman Hour podcast in February 2025 that she was single, explaining the breakup had happened the previous month.

Benedict Bridgerton appears to simply desire freedom – to pursue his artistic passions and explore his romantic interests. However, it’s possible he’s starting to catch feelings for someone.

Thompson, known for keeping his personal life private, fully embraced his character’s storyline and was open to wherever it led.

He shared with Deadline, before the season three finale, that while he enjoys discovering new things, he also finds real joy and fulfillment in settling down and committing to people or projects.

Actor Newton dated Jade Louise Davies for several years. Jade’s sister, Amber Davies, won the U.K. version of Love Island in 2017 with her boyfriend at the time, Kem Cetinay.

He was photographed holding hands with dancer Antonia Roumelioti in London after the midseason premiere of Bridgerton in June 2024.

It’s no surprise that many fans are sad the actors who play Colin and Penelope aren’t a couple in real life.

Coughlan told Extra that the cast members genuinely care for each other, which is why fans are so invested in their on-screen and off-screen relationships. She described it as ‘really sweet’ because of their real-life connection.

Charithra Chandran, who charmed audiences as Edwina Sharma, is currently single. She recently starred in the 2024 romantic comedy How to Date Billy Walsh alongside her close friend, Sebastian Croft, and the film has quickly won fans.

The actress who landed the role of Eloise Bridgerton actually fell in love with Cole Edwards, a non-actor she met during auditions.

Jessie shared with The Guardian in April 2024 that she landed a job and met someone special on the same day, calling it a ‘great day’ for her.

Despite her character, Eloise, remaining a virgin on the show, she openly discussed her own experiences with sex.

In a 2026 interview with the Associated Press, Claudia jokingly said, ‘It’s funny, but I’m actually having more romantic encounters than both Hannah Dodd and Luke Newton in real life.’

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2026-03-06 06:17