Dear Reader, Nicola Coughlan has become a household name in the U.S. particularly after her turn in Bridgerton. Many of us also know Nicola from Derry Girls, where she has amazing comedic timing (make sure you have the subtitles on). Bridgerton is earning Nicola her accolades and I have been enjoying her well deserved rise. Nicola was one of the actors profiled for the Hollywood Reporter’s Rising Young Stars feature. According to Nicola, she was told in her drama school that she would never be able to do period dramas because her face is too modern.
Starring in a 19th century romance and 1990s-set coming-of-age comedy is something she never thought she’d do, because of some puzzling feedback she got in drama school: “I was told, categorically, I would never do period drama,” Coughlan recalls. “They told me, ‘Your face is too modern.’ I have no idea to this day what that means.”
The person I am dying to work with … Judi Dench
My pandemic binge-watch was … Euphoria
I’d love to star in a remake of … “Not a remake of [Parks and Recreation], but Leslie Knope: The Early Years. I feel like I could play Leslie Knope in college.”
If I had to live in a world from a movie or TV show, I would choose … Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
If a superhero franchise was based on my life, my superpower would be … “Probably Nap Girl. That’s just what I’m known as at work. If I have a spare 10 minutes, I’ll just fall asleep.”
The social cause I am passionate about is … “LGBTQ rights. I play a gay character in Derry Girls and I realized the responsibility of taking that on at a time when, in Northern Ireland, gay marriage still wasn’t legal.”
[From The Hollywood Reporter via Just Jared]
I thought it was hilarious that Nicola said her superpower would be, “Nap Girl” because that is definitely my superpower. If I do not get a nap daily, I am past cranky. I blame it on my middle aged status. I also think it is so cute how Nicola fangirls over some of her favorite celebrities. I’ve even seen Nicola become friends with them over Twitter after she tweets at them. I also love Nicola’s friendship with Jonathan Van Ness whom she met through Instagram. I am really excited about Nicola’s upcoming Apple podcast, Whistling Through the Shamrocks, (there is currently no release date). Rumor has it that Jonathan will make a guest appearance. I am still trying to figure out what her teacher meant about her face being modern. Did that teacher mean that Nicola’s face isn’t lined with despair? I am so confused. Anyways, Nicola is definitely proving that teacher wrong. For now, I will patiently await both Bridgerton season two and Whistling through the Shamrocks because I know that Nicola will definitely be entertaining.
Photos credit: Avalon.red and via Instagram
What exactly is a “modern” face? Or are they shaming her because her face is round? What an odd thing to say.
Maybe “you’re not gaunt and looking like you might die any minute from The Consumption”?
So yeah, sounds like another euphemism for “too fat.”
That was my take, too. I actually think she has a “period face,” with her classic face shape, rosy cheeks, etc.
I think that’s definitely code for “not the proper body type.” I’m glad they didn’t make that the core of her character in Bridgerton- it comes up in her feeling less desirable than her sisters, I think, but is not central.
She is HILARIOUS in Derry Girls. I am not traditionally an all-caps person, but it’s deserved here.
To my eyes, if anything she looked very “of the period.” Pretty, delicate features, round cheeks, great coloring.
Agreed. Because, biologically, it’s not like we’ve evolved materially in the last 200 years.
“Too modern” = too fat.
That viewpoint is as wrong and stupid as can be.
I don’t know what they were thinking, but to me, a modern face is one with obvious plastic surgery.
That’s interesting because being curvier and heavier were good things in the 18th and 19th centuries. Just strap on a corset and tiny waist.
Also if her tutors actually bothered to understand ‘period’ faces, history and art they would see that her face is a perfect Hogarth (see The Harlot’s Progress), Titian or Gainsborough …. I can see her doing something wild from the 1700s no problem.
Love her and LOVE her in Derry Girls. I just started rewatching it with my husband so he could watch it for the first time.
The teacher meant that Nicola is fat, and I guess us fat people didn’t exist before the 21st century?
The teacher is a moron who obviously never looked at pre-20th century paintings of women. Sure there are thin women represented in those, but lots of not-so-thin ones too! Lots of round faces and dimply bodies represented in paint throughout history.
Let them check out the Reubens paintings. Plump women were highlighted. It was a sign of the upper classes (you had more than enough money for food).
Oh my god yes to Nicola as young Leslie Knope!
I miss Derry Girls and I wish there was another new season. That’s still a comfort watch for me.
And that teacher probably thought he or she was “being kind” and “sparing feelings” with that particular feedback.
Her face isn’t particularly modern, but maybe they were using code for she didn’t look “aristocratic,” which is what period dramas have tended to be about. There’s been this romanticized image in art and literature that aristocrats were pale and sylph-like, while paintings showed the “lower classes” as pink-cheeked and robust. I’m glad she was able to break through that stereotype.
I say this as a BBW: Sweet baby Jesus, whoever styles her needs to ditch the Mumus and dress her more like in the Hollywood Reporter pic.
I think the other pics look just as gorgeous if not better. The HR pic is nice but not interesting. Let’s support women not having to wear revealing or form fitting to be « formal »
As a former BBW, I *know* that while a larger woman doesn’t need to be in skin tight/form fitting clothing, neither does she need to be draped in a tent to be “fashion forward” There IS a middle ground.
Those huge, sheer sleeves and … I don’t even know *what* to call that seam in the pink dress…it’s not really an “empire” waist as it’s not under her breasts, and it sure as heck isn’t a “waist” seam…. but that dress makes her look like a sphere.
The colorful dress has *no* definition at all. It seems to just have an opening for her head, and voila! A dress is born.
She’s a beautiful woman, and this should be reflected. And *please* don’t @ me that “perhaps she feels* beautiful in it, as we all know a lot of actresses just wear what they’re told to for promotion(s) paid or otherwise.
What’s the big costume drama of the holiday season going to be this year? I feel like I’m ready to settle in for some escapism fluff! I thought Bridgerton was just okay, but Nicola was wonderful!
Her face is perfect for a period drama! She has that lovely, English rose complexion and if you look at paintings and fashions from that era, most of the women strove to look like her, not some emaciated runway model.
She reminds me…physically…SO MUCH of the actress Sandy Dennis❣
I always felt that about Jessica Biel. A face not good for period drama.
Nicola is a very cute Penelope. At the time did not like the big reveal at the end but now I think it was a good move, as too many people knew the books so they would not have been able to keep it under wraps anyways.
I’ve been staring at those pics, and all I see are possibilities. She, in fact, and imo, has a more period face over modern any day of the week. She embodies the wealthy aristocratic face of centuries past. Furthermore, if we’re still employing white saviors to portray Eastern lore or the healthy so-called normal to act as handicapped in some way or reside within some spectrum as defined by anyone NOT operating in that world, it is not only reprehensible to pigeonhole this woman for her facade, it’s antiquated verbal abuse begging for litigation.
Just an FYI there’s already 2 episodes of Whistle Through The Shamrocks up on Apple Podcasts 🙂