Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has opened up about the uncomfortable reality of body-shaming that followed her rise to global fame through the Netflix series. Known for playing Penelope Featherington in the Regency drama, the actress recently spoke candidly about how conversations around her body often overshadowed the effort she poured into the show. In an interview with Elle UK, Coughlan recalled how strange it felt to see people label her as “plus-size” while she was actually working intensely on her physical fitness during filming.
She revealed that while shooting the series, she had been exercising frequently and had lost a noticeable amount of weight. At the time, she said she was roughly a size 10, while one of the corsets she wore for the show was a size 8. Despite that, she was still described as plus-size by viewers and commentators, something that left her questioning the industry’s perception of women’s bodies.
The actress admitted the commentary felt deeply frustrating. For her, the bigger issue was how quickly the conversation shifted away from her work as an actor. She explained that projects like Bridgerton require months of dedication, long hours on set, and time away from family. After committing so much energy to a role, it was disheartening to see the discussion reduce everything to her appearance rather than her performance.
Coughlan also recalled an awkward moment with a fan that perfectly captured the discomfort she often feels around such discussions. She described an encounter with a drunk woman in a bathroom who enthusiastically praised the show but immediately began talking about Coughlan’s body rather than the story or the character. The experience, she said, made her feel extremely uncomfortable and highlighted how easily actors can be reduced to their physical image instead of their craft.
While the actress understands that audiences connect with characters in different ways, she made it clear that constant commentary about her body is something she finds exhausting. For Coughlan, the focus should ultimately be on the work itself. As Bridgerton continues to dominate global streaming conversations, her message serves as a reminder that behind every viral moment and trending series is an actor who wants to be recognized for their talent rather than their body.