While filming Bridgerton’s third season, Nicola Coughlan had a special request for more nudity in a love scene with costar Luke Newton. She wanted to challenge the conversations surrounding her body and empower herself by being naked on camera. Coughlan explained that it felt like a bold statement and she felt beautiful and empowered in the moment. She wanted to remember how confident and hot she looked when she is older.
Despite being nervous about filming her first-ever sex scene, Coughlan found that it was easier than she expected. She recalled feeling hesitant when trying on a strapless thong for the scene but ultimately embraced the experience and compared it to being a nudist. She and her costar were comfortable and relaxed being unclothed under a blanket while filming the scene, which helped her overcome her initial fears.
The romance between Penelope and Colin takes center stage in Bridgerton season 3, which features Coughlan’s character finally getting her chance at love after harboring an unrequited crush on the Bridgerton family’s younger son in previous seasons. Showrunner Jess Brownell explained that it was the perfect time to focus on this duo as viewers are already invested in their characters and their dynamic had been building up over the previous seasons.
Coughlan embraced the challenge of leading a romantic storyline with Penelope in the new season. She found parallels between her character stepping out of the shadows and into the light with her own journey as an actress. Portraying Penelope’s growth and change throughout the season was challenging, terrifying, cathartic, and ultimately rewarding for Coughlan, who reflected on the experience as a transformative and fulfilling opportunity in her career.
The decision to highlight the romance between Penelope and Colin in Bridgerton season 3 was a deliberate choice by the show’s new showrunner. The decision was made to capitalize on the chemistry between the two characters and the investment that viewers already had in their relationship. By pushing their dynamic into the forefront of this season, the show aimed to elevate their storyline and explore their feelings for each other in a meaningful and impactful way.
Overall, Nicola Coughlan’s portrayal of Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton season 3 was a transformative experience for the actress. By embracing nude scenes and leading a romantic storyline with Colin Bridgerton, Coughlan challenged herself and found empowerment in portraying her character’s growth and journey towards finding love. The decision to focus on the Penelope-Colin relationship was a strategic one that paid off, as it allowed viewers to delve deeper into their dynamic and invest in their evolving romance throughout the season.
