Nicola Coughlan’s star is rising, and we’re here for it. The British actress is gearing up to lead the next chapter of Channel 4’s I Am…, the BAFTA-winning, female-led anthology series. Popular for her roles as Penelope Featherington (now Bridgerton) in Netflix’s Bridgerton and Clare Devlin in the sitcom Derry Girls, Coughlan will front I Am Helen, a compilation of stand-alone dramas centered around the stories of different women and their perspectives on life. Fresh off her performance in Big Mood, Coughlan will be joined by Joe Cole, best known for his work in Gangs of London, A Small Light, and Peaky Blinders.
I Am’s fourth season continues the series’ unique approach, where each episode is collaboratively built with its lead actress to reflect personal themes. Dominic Savage, who writes, directs, and co-produces every installment, remains at the helm of the anthology, which has previously featured powerhouse performances from Kate Winslet, Letitia Wright, Lesley Manville, and Samantha Morton. In a statement accompanying the casting news, Coughlan said about the upcoming project:
“It’s an absolute honor to be part of telling the next I Am story alongside Dominic Savage — a singular talent and a storyteller deeply committed to exploring the breadth of the female experience. To follow in the footsteps of the brilliant women who’ve collaborated with him on this series feels truly surreal, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be embarking on this journey.”
Echoing the enthusiasm, executive producers, Krishnendu Majumdar and Richard Yee, highlighted the creative synergy behind the upcoming installment. “It’s a genuine privilege to continue our creative relationship with Dominic Savage, one of the most brilliant and uniquely talented filmmakers today, and to be working with Nicola Coughlan, one of the standout performers of her generation,” they said in a joint statement. “Their collaboration on this two-part installment of I Am… promises to be something truly special, and we’re deeply grateful to Channel 4 for their continued support and belief in this powerful series.”
How Was the Reception for Previous ‘I Am…’ Installments?
Since its debut in 2019, I Am… has been widely lauded by critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an impressive average score of 88%, with critics praising its refreshing and unconventional approach to portraying the female experience. Each installment has stood as a standalone success, with highlights including I Am Ruth starring Winslet, which earned a BAFTA TV Award for Best Single Drama in 2023. Little is yet known about the plot of I Am Helen, but it will be the first time that the plot will be split into two parts. The show previously ran for three seasons/series, with the most recent installment airing on Channel 4 in December 2022. As always, stay tuned for future updates.
