Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan wows in Harper’s Bazaar shoot and confesses she is terrified of ‘scrutiny’: ‘I’m in disbelief that I’m the leading lady in a romance, I’m the oddball ‘

Nicola Coughlan looked sensational as she dressed up a storm for the May edition of Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

The actress, 37, showed off her effortless sense of style in the snaps as she showed off her hourglass figure in a stunning satin pink dress with a plunging neckline.

With the third series of Bridgeton due out next month, the next episode will focus on Nicola’s character Penelope Featherington and her romance with Colin Bridgerton.

And the Derry Girl star admitted she is ‘terrified of the criticism’ as she steps into the role of leading lady for the first time, but wants to prove that ‘sometimes the odd one out in the corner can take center stage’.

Nicola honestly admitted: ‘Yes, I am terrified of the criticism, the opinions, the number of eyes on me; but what ultimately makes me step out of the shadows, even though it scares me, is that I’m so proud of the work I’ve done, the people I’ve worked with and these beautiful shows we’ve created. made.

‘I hope that, together with myself, I can show the world that sometimes the odd man out in the corner can take center stage.’

Discussing her role as the beloved Penelope, she explained how this shooting sequence for the hit Netflix show was completely different to the first two, and Nicola had to push herself out of her comfort zone to be in the spotlight.

‘The big difference is that in the first two seasons Pen was a supporting character, the odd one out, but this time she is very much the center of attention.

‘The only problem with this is that “stranger in the corner” is actually a niche that I’m very good at. I’m comfortable there! “Strange girl that no one pays attention to? Where can I sign up?”.

Against the backdrop of a Bridgerton-esque house, Nicola looked incredible as she put on a leggy show in a flowy black dress with huge exaggerated shoulder pads.

The Irish actress shot to fame playing Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls, with many fans considering her a fan favourite.

After starring as Hannah Dalton in Harlots in 2018, she then made her West End debut in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, before appearing in Bridgerton in 2020.

Since the success of the Netflix phenomenon, Nicola has been invited to the Met Gala, appeared on several hit shows including RuPaul’s Drag Race and was named one of Vogue’s Best Dressed Women of 2021.

The star even had a cameo in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie over the summer.

However, Nicola admitted that despite her success, she ‘in disbelief that I’m the leading lady in a romance show.’

She explained, “And it’s not because I think I’m horrible, as some people have assumed when I say that (I’ll have you know, in the right light I’m a solid seven), but because it’s not something I ever dreamed of.

‘When I was a little girl, I wanted to be one of the Gay Icons. “Bette Midler as CC Bloom? God, that’s me!” thought six-year-old Nicola. I never tried to be the ingénue purely because they never seemed to get the best lines or look like they were having the most fun.”

Prior to her career as an actress, Nicola lived in Ireland, where she worked as an optician and wondered if she would ever get her big break.

Reflecting on how far she has come professionally, she admits: ‘When I look back on my life over the past few years, it’s hard to fathom how much has changed.

In 2017 I was working part-time at an optician, about to turn 30, living with my parents and not sure if the whole ‘acting’ thing would ever happen or if I was completely fooling myself.

“Now, in 2024, I’m about to embark on a global press tour for one of Netflix’s biggest shows ever. It’s hard for me to understand.

“The funny thing is, I don’t feel any different from the girl who called people and told them they were late for their eye test.”

At the time of Bridgeton, Nicola was also filming new Channel 4 comedy Big Mood, in which she also stars.

Starring alongside It’s a Sin’s Lydia West, the show follows best friends Maggie (Nicola) and Eddie (Lydia) whose friendship is tested after Maggie is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Speaking about juggling the two, Nicola said: ‘Filming Big Mood and the third season of Bridgerton is the hardest thing I’ve ever worked on, and the proudest I’ve ever been of my work.

‘I feel a huge responsibility in directing both shows, one is a globally loved phenomenon, the other was written and created by one of my best friends, Camilla Whitehill – it also happens to be one of the best scripts I’ve ever written read.

“I agreed to film both shows at the same time (I never want to let people down), and the filming overlapped for a month in 2023. If you looked inside my head at the time, I’m sure it would. have looked like a marshmallow being dolled up by a rat.”

Nicola thanked her then co-stars, Lydia, and Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, as she said: ‘I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve two kind and talented angels by my side on these shows but I owe them both extremely grateful.

The May issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK will be available for purchase from April 11.