Bridgerton vs. Love Island: One Star's Hilarious Take on TV Kissing

Nicola Coughlan, everyone's favorite wallflower-turned-love-guru Penelope Featherington, is spilling the tea on Bridgerton's steamiest scenes. And it turns out, she has thoughts about how a certain reality dating show handles its make-out sessions.

"I always compare it to 'Love Island' kisses, which can look disgusting," Coughlan quipped during a recent radio interview. "I'm sure it feels great, but it doesn't look nice on camera.

Ouch! Tell us how you really feel, Nicola.

Kissing 101: Bridgerton's Secret Weapon for Steamy (But Tasteful) Romance

Coughlan, no stranger to a passionate scene or two in this season of Bridgerton, went on to explain that crafting the perfect on-screen kiss is a lot more complicated than it looks. Luckily, the show has a secret weapon: intimacy coordinators.

"We had an intimacy coordinator with us in my trailer," Coughlan revealed. "It felt like being a teenager at school, like, 'We're going to arrange how to kiss for the camera.

Her co-star, Luke Newton, who plays the oh-so-swoon-worthy Colin Bridgerton, chimed in with a playful suggestion.

"We'll go into the 'Love Island' villa and be like, 'Guys, here you go,'" he joked, offering their services as on-screen kissing coaches.

From Awkward First Kisses to Unbridled Passion: Inside Penelope and Colin's Steamy Love Story

Coughlan admitted that she was more nervous for Penelope and Colin's first kiss than for any of the more intimate scenes that followed.

"It was terrifying," she confessed. "So, we got to practice it before we filmed it, which was great because it takes the pressure off."

And practice makes perfect, as evidenced by the swoon-worthy chemistry between Coughlan and Newton this season. From their characters' awkward first kiss (initiated by a bold move from Penelope!) to the passionate embraces that follow, their romance has been one of the highlights of Season 3.

Bridgerton: Raising the Bar for On-Screen Romance

So, there you have it, folks. Bridgerton's recipe for romantic success involves a dash of intimacy coordination, a sprinkle of pre-kiss practice, and a whole lot of chemistry. And if you're looking for kissing inspiration that won't make you cringe, you know where to tune in. Sorry, "Love Island," but Bridgerton takes the crown for steamiest (and most tasteful) on-screen kisses.