They set hearts aflutter as Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington on Netflix's Regency-era drama, "Bridgerton." But off-screen, Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan are sparking a different kind of frenzy, one fueled by playful banter, genuine affection, and a whole lot of speculation.
"They are so cute together!" gushes one fan on Twitter. "Someone put a ring on it already!" demands another.
The rumors? That these two are more than just friends, their on-screen romance spilling over into real life.
Enter TikTok lip reader @tismejackieg, armed with a keen eye and even keener ears. In a viral video, she decodes a sweet moment between the two at the "Bridgerton" Season 3 Part 2 premiere in London.
Nicola, her face glowing under the flashing lights, leans in to ask Luke, "Are you freaking out?"
A playful smile flickers across Luke's face. "A little," he admits, "but in a good way. This is amazing!"
Nicola, ever the supportive friend, hides her face behind her hand, her voice hushed, "Do I have anything in my teeth?"
Luke leans closer, his gaze intent. "No, I don't think so. You look perfect."
The video, captioned "They're so adorable, I can't even," has garnered millions of views and thousands of comments, further fueling the "Are they or aren't they?" debate.
The plot thickened when Nicola whisked Luke away to her hometown of Galway, Ireland. Videos surfaced of the pair exploring the charming town, laughing and joking like old friends. But it was a particular video, shot outside a cozy pub, that sent fans into overdrive.
"Come meet my mom?" Nicola asks, her arm linked through Luke's.
Luke, ever the charmer, readily agrees.
"Okay, Luke, step right over here," Nicola directs, her smile radiant as she introduces him to her mother.
What follows is a heartwarming exchange, Luke embracing Nicola’s mother in a warm hug.
"She's lovely," Luke beams, clearly taken with Nicola's mom.
"Of course, well, thanks for making her kind," Nicola’s mother replies, her eyes twinkling.
"They're like a real couple meeting the parents!" exclaims one fan on Instagram. "This is too much for my heart to handle!"
While the jury's still out on the true nature of their relationship, one thing's for sure: Luke and Nicola have an undeniable spark. Whether it’s platonic or something more, their playful chemistry and genuine affection for each other shine through, both on and off the screen.
And who knows, maybe their "Bridgerton" characters, Colin and Penelope, will offer a glimpse into what the future holds for this intriguing pair. As Luke teased in a recent interview, "Maybe we can be the comedy duo of next season...because we really enjoyed the rom-com element of this year.”
One thing’s for sure: the Luke and Nicola show is far from over. We'll be watching (and lip-reading) with bated breath.
