Nicola Coughlan Voices Disinterest in Body Positivity Discussions
Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan has openly declared her profound lack of interest in the concept of "body positivity," describing conversations about her physical appearance as "boring" and an unwelcome distraction from her professional craft. The 39-year-old Irish performer, renowned for her roles as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's regency drama Bridgerton and Clare Devlin in Channel 4's Derry Girls, shared these candid views during an exclusive interview with Elle UK magazine.
'I Have No Interest in Body Positivity'
"The thing I say sometimes that pisses people off is I have no interest in body positivity," Coughlan stated emphatically. Reflecting on her childhood perspective, she added, "When I was a kid growing up, I never thought about that. I didn't look at actors and think about their bodies. So, I actually don't care." She further clarified her position by saying, "There's a lot of things I'm passionate about, it's not one of them... That's someone else's thing. It's not mine."
Absurdity of 'Plus-Size' Label
Coughlan highlighted the ridiculous nature of being praised as a "plus-size" actress despite being a size 10 during filming. Recalling her preparation for nude scenes in Bridgerton, she revealed, "What was really bizarre was when I was shooting that series, I was exercising a lot because I knew I had to, so I had lost a bunch of weight – I was probably a size 10 and one of the corsets was a size 8."
She continued, questioning societal perceptions with stark honesty: "Then people talked about how I was plus size and I was like, 'How f***** are we that I am the biggest woman you want to see on screen?'"
Frustration with Fan Interactions
The actress recounted an uncomfortable encounter with an intoxicated fan in a bathroom, where the individual focused entirely on her physical appearance. "I remember this really drunk girl once talking to me in a bathroom being like, 'I loved (Bridgerton) because of your body' and started talking about my body, and I was like, 'I want to die. I hate this so much'," Coughlan shared.
She expressed deep frustration that her extensive dedication to her work is frequently overshadowed by discussions about her looks. "It's really hard when you work on something for months and months of your life, you don't see your family, you really dedicate yourself and then it comes down to what you look like – it's so f****** boring," she lamented.
Personal Revelation About ADHD Diagnosis
In a more personal revelation, Coughlan also spoke about finding "grace" since receiving her ADHD diagnosis. "It feels like I got the handbook to my brain that I wasn't given when I was born," she explained. "I understand things a bit better now, and I give myself a little more grace."
Career Beyond Bridgerton
Beyond her prominent role in Bridgerton, Coughlan's notable credits include the blockbuster film Barbie, Channel 4's Big Mood – which earned her a Bafta nomination – and a National Theatre production of The Playboy Of The Western World. Her diverse portfolio demonstrates her versatility as an actress across television, film, and stage.
The full interview featuring these revelations is published in the April issue of Elle UK, available from 10 March 2026.
