It seems Nicola Coughlan found her own diamond this season.
After rumors surrounding the Bridgerton star’s love life became the talk of the ton last year, she confirmed her relationship with Jake Dunn on social media.
In a Feb. 12 Instagram Stories, Nicola shared a side-profile snap of the Renegade Nell actor in a white T-shirt, writing with a red heart emoji, “Happy Birthday.”
The 38-year-old’s message comes nearly four months after she and Jake, 25, were seen cozying up during a stroll in London following a date night at a local bar. But that wasn’t the only time the duo sparked romanced rumors. Last August, the couple was spotted together at Mitski’s set during the All Points East festival.
Although neither had addressed their relationship in the past, Jake did previously include the Derry Girls alum in his December Instagram photo dump, in which she was beaming with two drinks in hand.
Nicola has kept much of her personal life private, so it wasn’t a surprise that Bridgerton fans speculated that she might be dating her onscreen husband Luke Newton. (He confirmed his relationship with dancer Antonia Roumelioti in June.)
However, she emphasized that the romance has remained strictly onscreen.
“A lot of people really want me to marry Luke,” she told TIME in October. “We have this gorgeous friendship. We have such a love for one another and this experience that I’ll never have with someone else again. Isn’t it gorgeous that a man and woman can have that sort of relationship with one another?”
Nicola Coughan/InstagramIn fact, Luke previously revealed that it was their platonic friendship that made bringing their romance to life so easy. It even helped with navigating their many sex scenes.
“You’d think filming a scene like that with someone who’s a friend,” he told E! News in May, “who has been your friend for like four years, would be a daunting experience, but actually it was a reassuring one.”
“It felt like a real safe space to explore these scenes and find new and interesting ways,” he continued. “The show is known for the steamy scenes, so we wanted to really encapsulate the Colin and Pen love story. Their humor, and all these different genres their relationship showcases.”
Now, read on to see which Bridgerton stars have found their match.
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImageNicola Coughlan
While Nicola’s Penelope Featherington found love with Luke Newton‘s Colin Bridgerton on season three, Nicola herself has sparked romance rumors with Renegade Nell alum Jake Dunn.
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImageSam Phillips and Bessie Carter
Lord Debling and Prudence Dankworth (née Featherington) may not factor into each other’s love lives on the show, but the actors have made a real-life match.
And it appears that Carter’s mum Imelda Staunton approves.
Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTAPhoebe Dynevor
Daphne Bridgerton swapped vows with Regé-Jean Page‘s Simon Basset, and now the Bridgerton alum plans to take her own stroll down the aisle.
Dynevor flashed her engagement ring from producer Cameron Fuller at the 2024 Met Gala.
Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTARegé-Jean Page
The erstwhile Duke of Hastings, Page having left the show after season one, keeps his personal cards close to his vest off-camera, but has looked awfully happy in copywriter Emily Brown‘s company since 2021.
James Veysey/ShutterstockJonathan Bailey
Like Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton, the English actor prefers to stay mum on romantic affairs.
But he told The Standard in December 2023 that he was in a not-secret-but-private relationship with a “lovely man.”
“Having a private life is, for me, completely critical,” the Fellow Travelers star said. “I don’t know if I would be able to be as confident to speak out on other things if I felt that my whole life was up for grabs.”
James Veysey/ShutterstockSimone Ashley
The Sex Education star, who fit the Vicountess bill for Anthony upon arrival from India, confirmed she was in a relationship with Tino Klein with a March 2023 Instagram post.
James Veysey/ShutterstockLuke Thompson
Benedict Bridgerton seemingly just wants to be free to do his thing, as an artist and in the bedroom. Though maybe he’s developing some feelings…
And Thompson, who’s not one to share what he’s up in real life, was totally onboard with his character’s journey, wherever it took him.
“It’s lovely to explore,” he told Deadline ahead of the season three finale, “but also putting down some roots and choosing something or someone also has huge value and excitement.”
Karwai Tang/WireImageLuke Newton
Newton dated actress Jade Louise Davies—her sister Amber Davies won Love Island U.K. in 2017 with then-boyfriend Kem Cetinay—for several years.
But he was snapped following Bridgerton‘s June 2024 midseason premiere in London hand-in-hand with dancer Antonia Roumelioti.
Of course, most fans are just disappointed that Colin Bridgerton and Penelope aren’t together in real life.
“We think it’s really sweet,” Coughlan told Extra of the off-camera shipping that goes on for them. “I think because we truly love each other.”
Simon Ackerman/WireImageCharithra Chandran
The actress who plays Kate’s sparkling sister Edwina Sharma may be single at the moment, but she sent hearts soaring with the release of her 2024 rom-com How to Date Billy Walsh, costarring her longtime friend Sebastian Croft.
Lia Toby/Getty ImagesClaudia Jessie
It turns out the actress destined to play Eloise Bridgerton ended up falling for the non-actor she auditioned with, casting editor Cole Edwards.
“I got a job and a fella on the same day,” Jessie told The Guardian in April 2024. “It was a great day for me, wasn’t it?”
