Nicola Coughlan is taking a stand against body shaming following her nude scenes in season 3 of Bridgerton. The actress, known for her role as Penelope Featherington, expressed her frustration with the way people have reacted to her appearance in the popular Netflix series.
In a recent interview with TIME, Coughlan addressed comments labeling her as “brave” for displaying her body, stating, “Don’t call me brave. I have a cracking pair of boobs. There’s nothing brave about that; that’s actually just me showing them off.” She emphasized that the focus on her body is not only reductive but also uninteresting.
Coughlan noted, “I’m a few sizes below the average size of a woman in the U.K., and I’m seen as a ‘plus-size heroine.’” The actress believes that discussions about her physical appearance overshadow the hard work she put into her role. “I barely saw my family and friends, and people were just going, ‘But your body’… I don’t take it as nice,” she explained.
Reflecting on the criticism, she posed a thought-provoking question: “What if I was suddenly going to play a ballerina and lose a s— ton of weight? Are you not going to like me anymore?” This line of questioning highlights the inconsistency in societal standards regarding body image and talent.
The topic of her nudity had been circulating even before the season premiered. Coughlan revealed that she had advocated for specific lines and moments related to her nudity to be included in the series. “There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice. It just felt like the biggest ‘f— you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering,” she stated.
Coughlan’s confidence shines through as she recalls the experience: “I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought: ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f—ing hot I looked!’”
With her strong stance against body shaming, Coughlan encourages a broader conversation about self-acceptance and the importance of celebrating all bodies. As she continues to break barriers in Hollywood, her message resonates deeply, urging viewers to shift their focus from appearance to artistry.
As the third season of Bridgerton continues to captivate audiences, Coughlan’s determination to redefine beauty standards is a refreshing reminder of the power of self-expression and confidence in the face of societal pressures.
