Nicola Coughlan - Actress

Born: 9th Jan 1987 | category: Actress | Hits: 415

Nicola Mary Coughlan, a renowned Irish actress born on January 9, 1987, has garnered recognition and acclaim for her diverse roles in the entertainment industry.

She was born in Galway, Ireland, and spent her formative years in Oranmore. Coughlan's journey into acting began at a tender age of five when she was captivated by her older sister's performance in a school play, an experience that ignited her passion for the craft.

Her educational path led her through Scoil Mhuire for primary school and Calasanctius College for secondary education. She pursued higher education, earning a degree in English and Classical Civilisation from the National University of Ireland, Galway, showcasing her academic prowess.

Determined to hone her acting skills, Coughlan embarked on a transformative journey, crossing the Irish Sea to England, where she received training at the Oxford School of Drama and the Birmingham School of Acting, a pivotal step in her professional development.

Coughlan's career in the world of entertainment commenced in 1997 at the age of 10 when she made her first appearance, albeit uncredited, in the action thriller film "My Brother's War." In 2004, she marked the inception of her acting journey with a role in Tom Collins' short film, "The Phantom Cnut," a cleverly titled revenge comedy.

In the subsequent years, her versatility as an actress extended to voice work in animated series. However, financial difficulties led her back to her homeland of Ireland, where she battled depression. Coughlan's family played a crucial role in her recovery during this challenging period. To make ends meet, she took on part-time work at an optician in Galway.

An opportunity arose when she responded to an open casting call for "Jess and Joe Forever" at The Old Vic in London, ultimately securing the lead role of Jess. The play premiered in September 2016 and set the stage for her promising career.

The year 2018 marked a breakthrough in Coughlan's career when she assumed the role of Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom "Derry Girls." Set in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the 1990s, the show initially aired in January and February 2018. However, it gained international recognition and a massive following after its release on Netflix in December of the same year.

In the same year, Coughlan took on the character of Hannah Dalton in "Harlots," a period drama series set in 18th-century London. Her talents also graced the West End, where she made her debut in The Donmar Warehouse's production of "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie." Her performance led to the Evening Standard recognizing her as one of the "Rising Stars of 2018."

Coughlan's charismatic presence extended beyond acting as she competed alongside her "Derry Girls" co-stars in an episode of the beloved show "The Great British Bake Off."

In 2019, her career reached new heights with the announcement of her casting in the Netflix series "Bridgerton," which premiered in December 2020. In this period-drama series, based on Julia Quinn's bestselling book series, she portrayed Penelope Featherington, a reluctant debutante and the youngest daughter of a nouveau-riche family in Regency-era London.

Outside of her acting endeavors, Coughlan has used her platform to advocate for various causes. In 2018, she penned a powerful piece for The Guardian addressing the unfair scrutiny of women's bodies in theatre criticism. She later challenged a critique of her appearance at the 2019 British Academy Television Awards, asserting her confidence on social media.

Her philanthropic efforts include an auction of an Alex Perry dress that raised €5,000 for the Laura Lynn Hospice, an Irish children's hospice providing palliative and supportive care services.

In a notable demonstration of activism, Coughlan, along with 27 other women, led a march across London's Westminster Bridge in February 2019 to demand the decriminalization of abortion in Northern Ireland, symbolizing the countless women who had to travel to England for access to abortion.

Additionally, she participated in a sketch for the RTÉ fundraising special "RTÉ Does Comic Relief" in June 2020, with her "Derry Girls" co-stars and Saoirse Ronan. The event's proceeds were directed toward supporting those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

PERSONAL LIFE

Regarding her personal life, Coughlan has been relatively private, but it is known that she was in a relationship with British actor Laurie Kynaston. Born Laurence Stephen Kynaston on February 24, 1994, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, Kynaston is recognized for his role as Danny Baker in the 2015 series "Cradle to Grave." Although the details of their relationship have been kept mostly under wraps, reports suggest that they have since separated, and Nicola Coughlan is currently single.

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