Nicola Coughlan is having a moment, and it’s as grand as any Regency-era ball. On January 8, the actress received her first solo Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nomination for her role as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton. The nod comes just in time for her 38th birthday on January 9, making it the ultimate early gift.
This is a very lovely early birthday present! . I’m absolutely in shock and so honoured thank you @sagawards and so proud of the whole @bridgertonnetflix family 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵.
Coughlan gushed on Instagram
But Penelope isn’t the only one making waves. Bridgerton also snagged an ensemble nod, cementing its place as one of the most beloved drama series on TV.
Advertisement Coughlan will compete against powerhouses like Kathy Bates (Matlock), Allison Janney and Keri Russell (The Diplomat), and Anna Sawai (Shōgun). Sawai, fresh off her Golden Globe win, is hot on her heels, but fans are rooting hard for Coughlan to claim her crown.
Meanwhile, life on set during Bridgerton Season 3 was just as dramatic as the storylines. Penelope finally got her happy ending with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), rekindled her friendship with Eloise, and had her Lady Whistledown identity shockingly embraced by Queen Charlotte. It was a whirlwind of romance, gossip, and, of course, scandal.
Coughlan called the season “so romantic.
There were a lot of moments on set where we filmed something and we’d turn around and everyone was sort of clutching their chest being like, ‘Oh my God.’ It was that kind of love.
telling PEOPLE in 2023
While fans speculated about a possible off-screen romance with her co-star Luke Newton, Coughlan shot down the rumors in true Lady Whistledown fashion.
We have such a love for one another and this experience that I’ll never have with someone else again. Isn’t it gorgeous that a man and woman can have that sort of relationship with one another?
she told TIME
That said, Coughlan has her own love story brewing. She’s been linked to actor Jake Dunn since August 2024, and the two have been spotted looking cozy on several occasions.
As Bridgerton heads into Season 4, the spotlight will shift to Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), who is on a quest for love amidst the glittering chaos of high society. New faces like Yerin Ha and Katie Leung are joining the cast, promising fresh drama and excitement.
With her SAG nomination and a sparkling career path, Nicola Coughlan is proving she’s not just a diamond of the season she’s a diamond for the ages. And we’re all here for it.
Source: People