Nicola Coughlan facts for kids

Nicola Mary Coughlan (born 9 January 1987) is an Irish actress. She is famous for playing Clare Devlin in the comedy show Derry Girls and Penelope Featherington in the Netflix historical drama Bridgerton.

Her leading role as Penelope in the third season of Bridgerton earned her a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award. She also received a nomination for a British Academy Television Award for her role in the comedy series Big Mood.

Early Life and Education

Nicola Coughlan was born on January 9, 1987, in Galway, Ireland. She grew up in a nearby town called Oranmore. Her father was a soldier in the Irish Army, and her mother was a stay-at-home parent.

When she was five years old, she saw her older sister in a school play and decided she wanted to be an actress. She went to Scoil Mhuire Primary School and later Calasanctius College. After high school, she studied English and Classical Civilisation at the National University of Ireland, Galway. To perfect her acting skills, she trained at the Oxford School of Drama and the Birmingham School of Acting in England.

Acting Career

First Roles and Early Struggles

At age nine, Nicola had a small, uncredited part in the movie My Brother's War. Her official career started in 2004 with a role in a short comedy film. For many years, she did voice work for animated shows and movies.

After finishing drama school, life was not easy. She moved to London several times but had to return home to Ireland because she struggled to find enough work to support herself. During this tough time, her family was a big help. To make money, she worked part-time at an eye doctor's office. Her luck changed when she auditioned for a play called Jess and Joe Forever at The Old Vic theatre in London and won the main role.

Breakthrough with Derry Girls

A mural of the Derry Girls cast in Derry, Northern Ireland.

In 2018, Nicola's career took off when she was cast as Clare Devlin in the sitcom Derry Girls. The show is about a group of teenagers living in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the 1990s. It became one of Channel 4's most successful comedies.

Derry Girls first aired in the UK, but it became popular worldwide after it was released on Netflix. The show won several awards, including Best Scripted Comedy at the British Academy Television Awards in 2023.

..... The Evening Standard newspaper named her one of the "Rising Stars of 2018."

Global Fame with Bridgerton

In 2019, Nicola was cast as Penelope Featherington in the Netflix series Bridgerton. The show, which started in 2020, is set in Regency-era London. Penelope is the youngest daughter of a newly rich family.

The third season of Bridgerton focused on the love story between her character, Penelope, and Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton. For her performance, Nicola received nominations for major awards, including the Screen Actors Guild Award. She is set to return for the show's fourth season.

Other Roles and Recognition

Nicola has appeared in many other projects. In 2023, she had a small role as Diplomat Barbie in the hit movie Barbie. She also played Queen Victoria in a Christmas special of the TV show Dodger.

In 2024, she starred in the comedy series Big Mood, playing a character named Maggie who deals with mental health challenges. Her performance was highly praised and earned her a nomination for a British Academy Television Award. That same year, she also appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special, "Joy to the World".

Nicola has received many honors for her work. In 2024, Time magazine named her one of its Next Generation Leaders. She has also been recognized for her acting by Variety and was named one of the best-dressed women of 2024 by Harper's Bazaar UK.

Personal Life and Activism

Nicola is known for her youthful appearance and has often played teenage characters, even as an adult. She finds the public's focus on her age funny and has always been open about it.

She is also a strong advocate for body positivity. She has spoken out against unfair comments about women's bodies in the media and has encouraged people to be proud of how they look.

Charity Work

Nicola uses her fame to support important causes. She is an ambassador for LauraLynn Ireland's Children's Hospice, which provides care for children with serious illnesses. She has auctioned off her own clothing and items from her shows to raise thousands of euros for the hospice.

She has also been involved in activism. In 2019, she joined a protest to support women's rights in Northern Ireland. In 2024, she helped raise over $2 million for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund to provide aid in Gaza. She has also spoken out in support of the transgender community and raised money for charities that help them.

Filmography

Film

Television