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Nicola Coughlan

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Nicola Coughlan
Coughlan in 2017
Born
Nicola Mary Coughlan

(1987-01-09) 9 January 1987 (age 37)
Galway, Ireland
EducationCalasanctius College
Alma mater
OccupationActress
Years active1997–present
TelevisionDerry Girls
Bridgerton

Nicola Mary Coughlan (/ˈkɒklən/; born 9 January 1987) is an Irish actress. She is known for her roles as teenager Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls (2018–2022) and Penelope Featherington in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton (2020–present).

Early life

Coughlan was born on 9 January 1987 in Galway, Ireland, and grew up in Oranmore.[1][2] At the age of five, when watching her older sister performing in a school play, she decided to become an actress.[3] She attended Scoil Mhuire for primary school and Calasanctius College for secondary school.[4][5] She graduated with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation from the National University of Ireland, Galway.[2][6] She then went on to train in England at the Oxford School of Drama and Birmingham School of Acting.[7]

Career

Early work (2004–2017)

At the age of 10, in 1997, Nicola Coughlan had an uncredited role in action thriller film My Brother's War.[8] In 2004, she started her career with a role in Tom Collins’ short film, The Phantom Cnut, a revenge comedy.[2][8] In the following years, she did various voice works in various animated series and films, including The Fairytales from 2004 to 2005, Summer of the Flying Saucer in 2008, Simsala Grimm II: The Adventures of Yoyo and Doc Croc in 2010, and Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer in 2011. She made brief appearances in the soap opera Doctors in 2012 and musical comedy film Svengali in 2013.[8] Due to financial difficulties, Coughlan was forced to return to Ireland. She suffered from depression during this period, and received help from her family.[3][9] She worked part-time at an optician in Galway, and later responded to an open casting call for Jess and Joe Forever at The Old Vic in London, winning the main role of Jess. Her first performance was in September 2016, prior to a national tour.[3][10]

Breakthrough (2018–present)

In 2018, Coughlan began playing Clare Devlin, one of the main characters, in Derry Girls, a sitcom set in Derry, Northern Ireland, in the 1990s.[11][12] Coughlan also played Hannah Dalton in Harlots, a period drama television series set in 18th-century London.[13][14] 2018 marked her West End debut in The Donmar Warehouse's production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. In September, the Evening Standard named her "one of the Rising Stars of 2018".[15] In December, she competed against some of her Derry Girls co-stars in an episode of The Great British Bake Off.[16] Though Derry Girls was broadcast in January and February on Channel 4, it was after its rerelease onto Netflix in December that the show gained an international audience and popularity.[8]

Coughlan has stated that she auditioned for the part of Robin Buckley in season 3 of Stranger Things, but did not get the part.[17] In 2019, it was announced that Coughlan had been cast in the Netflix series Bridgerton, which premiered in December 2020.[18] Coughlan played Penelope Featherington, a reluctant debutante and youngest daughter of a newly rich family in Regency era London.[8][19] Coughlan's role was significantly cut back in the third series of Derry Girls in 2022 due to scheduling conflicts with Bridgerton and the coronavirus pandemic.[20]

In November 2022, she appeared in a Sam Mendes produced Audible audio adaptation of Oliver Twist.[21] She starred as Humble Joan alongside Aimee Lou Wood and Lolly Adefope in Seize Them!, a 2023 comedy film set in the Dark Ages.[22] Coughlan also made a brief appearance in Barbie as Diplomat Barbie, later citing filming clashes for the short time she was in the film.[23]

Coughlan will portray Queen Victoria in the 2023 Dodger Christmas special on BBC One and CBBC.[24] She also has an upcoming lead role in the Channel 4 sitcom Big Mood opposite Lydia West.[25] In November 2023, it was announced that Coughlan would appear in the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special alongside Barbie co-star Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor.[26]

Charity and advocacy

In 2018, while Coughlan was appearing on stage in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at London's Donmar Warehouse, she wrote a piece for the Guardian calling out unfair scrutiny of women's bodies in theatre criticism.[19][27][28] In the following year, she made headlines again for rebutting the Daily Mirror’s comment on her 2019 British Academy Television Awards look: "Not the most flattering". She tweeted "I mean incorrect @DailyMirror I look smokin’, sorry bout it".[19] Following the 2021 Golden Globe Awards, she retorted against other comments on her weight on Twitter.[29]

In February 2019, 28 women with their suitcases led by Nicola Coughlan crossed London's Westminster Bridge to demand the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland. They represented the estimated number of women a week who had to travel to England to access abortion.[30][31]

On 26 June 2020, Coughlan and her fellow Derry Girls co-stars performed a sketch with Saoirse Ronan for the RTÉ fundraising special RTÉ Does Comic Relief. The night's proceeds went to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[32]

In July 2020, she auctioned off an Alex Perry dress and raised €5,000 towards the Laura Lynn Hospice, an Irish children's hospice which provides specialist palliative and supportive care services.[19][33]

On 12 April 2022 upon the release of the third series of Derry Girls, Coughlan protested the attempted privatisation of Channel 4, posting a picture of herself holding up a middle finger on Instagram and linking to a change.org petition.[34][35]

In light of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Coughlan was one of over two thousand to sign an Artists for Palestine letter calling for a ceasefire and accusing western governments of "not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them."[36]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2004 The Phantom Cnut Katie Short film [2]
2023 Barbie Diplomat Barbie [37]
2023 Seize Them! Humble Joan post-production [38]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 Doctors Marie Callaghan Episode: "Every End Has a Start" [39]
2018–2022 Derry Girls Clare Devlin Main role
2018 Harlots Hannah Dalton Guest role [13]
2020–present Bridgerton Penelope Featherington / Lady Whistledown Main role [40]
2023 Dodger Queen Victoria Episode: "Coronation"
2024 Big Mood Maggie Upcoming series [41]
Doctor Who TBA 2024 Christmas special [42]

Voice work

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2004–2005 The Fairytaler Various Voice (English version)
2008 Summer of the Flying Saucer Janis Voice
2010 Simsala Grimm II: The Adventures of Yoyo and Doc Croc Various Voice (English version)
2011 Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer Edda Voice
2012 Ivan the Incredible Lottie Voice (English Version of Gummi T, 2012)
2020 Her Song Eve Voice
2021 Whistle Through the Shamrocks Tiny Nenny/ Granny Maureen/ Herself Voice, Also Creator and Writer (6 episode Podcast)
2022 Oliver Twist Nancy Voice

Theatre

Year Title Role Director Theatre Ref
2013 Chapel Street Kirsty Bryony Shanahan Scrawl Theatre Company
UK Tour 		[43]
2014 Duck Sophie Stella Feehily Out of Joint Theatre Company [44]
2015 Nadya Elena Sarah Meadows Park Theatre [45]
2015–2017 Jess and Joe Forever Jess Derek Bond The Old Vic
Orange Tree Theatre
Traverse Theatre 		[46]
2018 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Joyce Emily Polly Findlay Donmar Warehouse [47]

Other Television Appearances

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 The Great Christmas/Festive Bake Off Herself Contestant, Episode : "Derry Girls edition" [16]
2020–2021 Would I Lie to You? Herself Panelist, Series 14 episode 6 [48]
2021 Taskmaster Herself Contestant, Episode : "New Year Treat" [49]
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race UK Herself Guest judge, Episode : "Great Outdoors" [50]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Nicola Coughlan
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2017 Off West End Awards Best Actress in a Play Jess and Joe Forever Nominated [2]
2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Bridgerton Nominated [51]
Irish Film and Television Awards Rising Star Award Won [52]

References

  1. ^ "Nicola Coughlan: 11 facts about the Bridgerton and Derry Girls star you should know". PopBuzz. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Charlie McBride (11 January 2018). "From Oranmore girl to Derry Girl". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Japleen Khera (25 December 2020). "Who Plays Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton? All We Know About Nicola Coughlan". TheCinemacoholic. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Derry Girls star is Galway to her core!". Connacht Tribune. 21 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Shane (7 January 2021). "Derry Girls Nicola Coughlan takes us on a tour of her hometown, Galway". Irish Central. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Derry Girls' Nicola Coughlan on life in NUI Galway, acting, and the impact of the hit comedy show". Student Independent News. 2 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Margot Robbie speaks of 'love' for Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan at Barbie premiere". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Maddy Casale (23 December 2020). "Woman Crush Wednesday: Nicola Coughlan is the Belle of the Ball in 'Bridgerton'". Decider. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  9. ^ Katrina Turill (11 December 2020). "Nicola Coughlan health: 'I couldn't get out of bed' Derry Girls star's depression battle". Express. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  10. ^ Cooper, Joe (2017). Jess and Joe Forever. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 2. ISBN 9781350058927.
  11. ^ "Galway actress joins new Channel 4 comedy". Galway Independent. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  12. ^ Blauvelt, Christian; Buller, Laura; Frisicano, Andrew; Grant, Stacey; Morris, Mark; Toal, Drew; Robson, Eddie; Serota, Maggie; Turner, Matthew; Ulster, Laurie (2020). What to Watch When: 1,000 TV Shows for Every Mood and Moment. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 249. ISBN 9780241502501.
  13. ^ a b "Everything You Need to Know About Bridgerton's Beloved Breakout Star, Nicola Coughlan". Peoplemag. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  14. ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (8 July 2019). "'Obscenely enjoyable': why Harlots is the best show you're not watching". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  15. ^ "The rising stars you need to know about". Evening Standard. 27 September 2018.
  16. ^ a b Meghan O'Keefe (6 December 2020). "'The Great British Baking Show'/'Derry Girls' Crossover was the First and Last Good Thing to Happen in 2020'". Decider. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  17. ^ Percival, Ash (9 April 2022). "Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan Reveals The Role In Another Major Netflix Show She Lost Out On". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  18. ^ "When is Bridgerton released on Netflix? What's it about?". Radio Times.
  19. ^ a b c d Jones, Ellen E (12 December 2020). "Derry Girls' Nicola Coughlan: 'It bothers me that we reduce women to the size of their body'". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  20. ^ Ward, Fiona (29 March 2022). "Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan 'devastated' as her role is cut back in the final series of Derry Girls". Glamour UK. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  21. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (30 November 2022). "Brian Cox, Nicola Coughlan, Daniel Kaluuya & Kit Connor Among Cast For Sam Mendes Audible Series 'Oliver Twist'". Deadline. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  22. ^ Waheed, Jabeen (6 July 2023). "Seize Them! is the new medieval film with Aimee Lou Wood & Nicola Coughlan". Glamour UK. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  23. ^ Stedman, Emily (21 July 2023). "Barbie star Nicola Coughlan explains her brief role". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  24. ^ Anderton, Joe (9 November 2023). "First look at Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan in BBC Christmas special". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  25. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (16 October 2023). "Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan stars in first-look at new TV drama". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Nicola Coughlan Will Appear on 'Doctor Who' With Ncuti Gatwa, Russell T Davies Says". Variety.
  27. ^ Corr, Shauna; McCahill, Elaine (17 June 2018). "Derry Girls actress Nicola Coughlan gets apology after being branded 'overweight little girl' in scathing British Theatre Guide". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  28. ^ Coughlan, Nicola (29 June 2018). "Critics, judge me for my work in Derry Girls and on the stage, not on my body". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  29. ^ Hampson, Laura (3 March 2021). "Nicola Coughlan powerfully claps back at podcast host who called her 'the fat girl from Bridgerton'". Glamour UK. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  30. ^ Laura Silver (26 February 2019). "This Is Why The Cast Of Derry Girls Marched On Westminster Today". Grazia Daily. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  31. ^ Shepherd Alison. Abortion in Northern Ireland: women march in London[permanent dead link‍] BMJ 2019; 364: 1999
  32. ^ "Derry Girls cast fangirl over Ronan in hilarious sketch". 26 June 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  33. ^ Nadia Breen (21 July 2020). "Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan auctioning iconic BAFTA dress for a brilliant cause". Belfast Live. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  34. ^ Starkey, Adam (14 April 2022). "'Derry Girls' star Nicola Coughlan gives middle finger to privatisation of Channel 4". NME. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  35. ^ Barr, Sabrina (13 April 2022). "Derry Girls' Nicola Coughlan sticks middle finger up at Channel 4 privatisation". [[Metro (British newspaper)|]]. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Tilda Swinton among 2000+ artists calling for Gaza ceasefire". Artists for Palestine. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  37. ^ Kroll, Justin (15 April 2022). "Barbie: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Emerald Fennell, Scott Evans, Others, Rounding Out Cast Of Warner Bros. Mattel and LuckyChap Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  38. ^ Long, Lacy (21 March 2022). "'Seize Them!': Nicola Coughlan, Aimee Lou Wood, and Lolly Adefope Join Dark Ages Comedy Film". Collider. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  39. ^ "BBC One - Doctors, Series 13, Every End has a Start". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  40. ^ "When is Bridgerton released on Netflix? Cast, plot and latest news". Radio Times.
  41. ^ "Channel 4 reveal first look and announce the cast joining Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West on comedy series Big Mood (w/t)". channel4.com/press. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Nicola Coughlan Will Appear on 'Doctor Who' With Ncuti Gatwa, Russell T Davies Says". Variety.
  43. ^ Stephanie Faye Bartlett (11 June 2013). "Review: Chapel Street and Bitch Boxer, TakeOver Festival 2013, York Theatre Royal". The Press. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  44. ^ "Rehearsed readings and discussions – Duck". Out of Joint Theatre Company. 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  45. ^ "Nadya". The Production Exchange. 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  46. ^ "Orange Tree TheatreJess and Joe Forever | Whats On | Orange Tree Theatre". www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk.
  47. ^ "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". Upstage Darts. 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  48. ^ "BBC One - Would I Lie to You?, Series 14, Episode 6". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Taskmaster - Series 11: Episode 101 | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  50. ^ "BBC Three - RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Series 3, Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  51. ^ "2021 SAG Awards: The Complete Nominations List". 4 February 2021.
  52. ^ "Nicola Coughlan thrilled with IFTA nod & new Bridgerton". RTÉ.ie. 15 June 2021.
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