She's captured the heart of the ton as Penelope Featherington, but who's stolen the heart of Nicola Coughlan? As season three of Bridgerton sets hearts aflutter, fans are clamoring for details about the actress's own romantic entanglements. While she may play a hopeless romantic on screen, in real life, Coughlan is notoriously private about her love life. Fear not, dear readers, for we've gathered every tantalizing detail, every whisper in the grand ballroom of gossip to unravel the enigma that is Nicola Coughlan's dating history.
While Coughlan is known for keeping her cards close to her chest, one name does stand out in the annals of her romantic past: Laurie Kynaston. This talented actor, perhaps best known for his role in (wait for it) Derry Girls, is the only man Coughlan has been publicly linked to.
The pair reportedly dated for a time, though the exact timeline of their romance remains shrouded in mystery. Some speculate their paths first crossed on the set of Derry Girls, where they shared a brief but memorable scene together. Alas, their love was not meant to be, with sources citing their busy acting careers as the reason for their eventual split.
Fast forward to the Bridgerton season three press tour, and the rumor mill went into overdrive when Coughlan was spotted holding hands with none other than her on-screen love interest, Luke Newton. The internet exploded with speculation, with fans eagerly shipping the pair, dubbed "Polin" in the Bridgerton fandom.
Photos of their hand-in-hand stroll at the Australian premiere sent social media into a frenzy. Adding fuel to the fire, Coughlan shared playful photos on Instagram, including one featuring matching water bottles labeled "Colin" and "Penelope.
However, don't mistake Coughlan for a starry-eyed romantic blinded by infatuation. In a 2022 interview, she discussed Penelope's unwavering devotion to Colin, noting, "If you're going to ever have a relationship with someone, you can't be like, 'Well, he's a god, and I'm trash.'"
Clearly, Coughlan values respect and equality in a relationship – a refreshing perspective in the often-superficial world of romance.
Despite their undeniable chemistry, both Coughlan and Newton maintain that their relationship is strictly platonic.
“Looking back, it was a breeze [filming intimate scenes],” Newton shared in an interview. “She’s my friend, so we just giggle about it.”
Their friendship is evident in their playful banter during interviews and their supportive social media interactions. They seem to have mastered the art of separating their on-screen personas from their real-life bond.
So, is Nicola Coughlan currently single? While she remains tight-lipped about her romantic status, all signs point to yes. But even Lady Whistledown herself would agree that there's no need to fret.
As Coughlan eloquently reminds us, a woman is “so much more than her dancing skills or her comportment.” Her talent, wit, and infectious charm are more than enough to keep us captivated, on screen and off.
And who knows? Perhaps a real-life love story worthy of a Bridgerton plot twist awaits her in the future.
