- Nicola Coughlan will take center stage in series three of Bridgerton – and says attitudes towards women and sexuality have gone backwards since the 1800s
- The actor claimed that the world is ‘more insidious now’ and that men and women are not ‘seen on an equal footing’
- Coughlan and her co-star Luke Newton also took part in an afternoon tea taste test – where they joked fans would love their onscreen flirting
With Bridgerton about to hurtle back onto our screens, Nicola Coughlan is set to take center stage in this year’s installment of the hit Netflix series.
The Irish actress, 37, will reprise her role as Penelope Featherington – aka Lady Whistledown – and fans will watch as her friendship with Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton, will finally turn into romance.
And as Coughlan participated in many steamy scenes with Newton for the Regency-era drama, she has now spoken out about current attitudes towards women and sexuality in today’s society.
“It’s more insidious now,” she said in an interview with Radio Times, when asked if the drama set between 1813 and 1827 has any relevance to the modern day. “Men can sleep with as many women as they want, but women can’t do the same. It’s not seen on an equal footing.
“We like to think that we’re so liberal and open, but I think the world is still far more judgmental towards women having agency with their sexuality than it is towards men”
Coughlan continued, “Penelope’s also the most modern heroine we’ve had because she doesn’t just want marriage and love – she also wants a career.
“Everyone can relate to the love story – but for women it’s hard to have it all. There should be no shame in her wanting everything.”
‘The fans are going to love this!’
Elsewhere, Coughlan and Newton, 31, took on an afternoon tea taste test in honor of their characters.
Claiming Newton is about to become “the Internet’s boyfriend”, Coughlan warned her co-star, “But you were my fake boyfriend first, don’t forget it!”
In one part of the Vogue magazine video, Coughlan had a crumb of sandwich on her mouth, which Newton dabbed off, quipping, “They’re going to love this.”
He also laughed, “There may be some creamy cakes eaten at some point… that’s not a euphemism, I promise.”
The pair have been plagued with romance rumors throughout the press tour for season three of the show – with fans officially ‘shipping’ Polin and hoping that the couple become an item in real life!
