Nicola Coughlan, the Irish actor famed for roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton, has declared she will not silence her political voice, even at a potential cost to her career. In a remarkably candid interview, the star opened up about losing followers over her stance on Gaza, the intense scrutiny of her private life, and the 'horrific anxiety' caused by overzealous fans.
The Price of Speaking Out
Coughlan revealed that advisers warned her that speaking publicly about the conflict in Gaza could damage her professional prospects. She estimates she lost a quarter of a million Instagram followers as a consequence, a direct hit to potential commercial earnings often calculated on engagement. 'True activism, it should cost you something,' she stated firmly. 'I can’t throw away my moral conscience.'
She has raised over £1.5 million for Palestinian relief and wore a ceasefire pin to public events, facing significant online backlash. The actor also addressed difficult conversations with Jewish friends, stressing her rejection of all forms of hatred. 'It’s untrue to conflate [support of Palestine] with antisemitism,' she explained, defending her participation in London marches mischaracterised by some media.
Navigating the 'Different Beast' of Bridgerton Fandom
Following her starring role in the record-breaking third season of Netflix's Bridgerton, Coughlan experienced a landslide of attention that differed sharply from her time on Derry Girls. She described a parasocial fandom where fans became convinced she was secretly married to co-star Luke Newton. Theories spiralled, including one that she was hiding a secret baby. 'I would like to go on the record and say, ‘I don’t have a secret baby,’' she said.
The intrusion escalated when paparazzi and fans began photographing her constantly with her boyfriend, actor Jake Dunn. She described the feeling as a 'violation,' and the situation led to her being tailed and fans attempting to discover her home address. 'The intensity gave me horrific anxiety,' she admitted, becoming emotional recalling the period. This has caused her to reconsider her career trajectory, prioritising working with 'nice people' over pure stardom.
From Derry Girls to The National Theatre
Coughlan is now channelling her energy into the stage, starring in J.M. Synge's 'The Playboy of the Western World' at the National Theatre in London. The production, which runs until 28 February 2026, reunites her with Derry Girls' Siobhán McSweeney. She relishes the intimate, all-Irish creative environment after the global whirlwind of Bridgerton.
Reflecting on her path, which included a long struggle with bit-part acting and service jobs before her breakout at 30, Coughlan believes finding fame later was beneficial. 'I had to live in the real world... It made me aware and appreciative of what I have,' she said. As she prepares for a Christmas away from her family in Galway due to the play, the actor remains grounded by her principles, proving that for Nicola Coughlan, conscience will always trump convenience.
