Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan Says Season 3 Costumes Feel Like ‘They’re Finally Letting Me Shine’
Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has recalled her first dress rehearsal for the third season of the hit Netflix romance series.
Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, who stars in the new season, expressed her gratitude in a new interview.
“During the first dress rehearsal for season three, I was in tears,” Coughlan told The New York Times. “It felt like a ‘Pretty Woman’ moment. They’re finally letting me shine.”
The Irish actress will no longer wear the bright, colorful gowns her character was known for in the first two seasons. Instead, she’ll be wearing more elegant, understated dresses in the third season, which begins streaming on May 16.
As she recently explained in a previous interview: “In the first two seasons, the goal, in the best way, was not to make me look good. A lot of Featherington’s aesthetic is a ‘more is better’ approach.”
Last month, Coughlan, 37, revealed her “cynicism” about being “the female lead on a romantic show.”
“And not because I find myself repulsive, like some people have thought when I say that,” the former Derry Girls star said. “Pen was a side character, a weirdo in the corner, but this time she really takes centre stage.
“The only problem with that is that ‘the weirdo in the corner’ is actually something I’m really good at. I’m comfortable there! The strange girl no one notices? Where do I sign up?” she added.
The third season of Bridgerton will focus on Penelope Featherington (Coughlan), who “is finally brought up about her secret crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after hearing his disparaging remarks about her in the previous season,” according to the official synopsis.
“However, she has decided it’s time to get married, preferring someone who will give her enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, away from her mother and sisters. But because of her lack of confidence, Penelope’s attempts at marriage fail miserably.”
Speaking about her “unique” relationship with co-star Newton, Coughlan said their special bond stems from their “shared” exposure to the Bridgerton star.
“It’s a very rare experience,” she said. “I think we all know how unique that is.”
Based on the best-selling book series by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton is produced by Grey’s Anatomy author Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland company. After debuting in 2020, the show has proven to be one of the streaming giant’s most popular originals.
Bridgerton season three will be released in two parts. The first four episodes will debut on Netflix on May 16 at 3 a.m. ET, followed by the final four on June 13 at 3 a.m. ET.
