Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan hailed an ‘icon’ for ‘intelligent’ comeback

Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan has been hailed an ‘icon’ for her ‘clever’ comeback to a question about nudity as she took part in a promotional event for the Netflix series.

The actress, 37, plays Penelope Featherington in the hit show which returns for part two of series three on Wednesday – with a promise of more racy scenes, including a naked sex scene featuring Nicola.

The third series focuses on her steamy relationship with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). 

During a special screening Q&A in Dublin about the new episodes, a female journalist commented that she was ‘very brave’ to play the role of Penelope Featherington – which some fans branded a ‘backhanded comment’. 

And in a video captured by Goss.ie, Nicola then brilliantly responded saying: ‘You know, it is hard because I think women with my body type – women with perfect breasts – we don’t get to see ourselves onscreen enough!’

‘And I’m very proud as a member of the perfect breasts community. I hope you enjoy seeing them.’ 

Fans of the star were quick to respond to the moment that has begun circulating on social media as they said: ‘It must have been one of those insulting, backhanded comments. Nicola’s clever!’

‘Great response, shame we don’t see Luke’s reaction lol’,

‘Brilliant! Next question!’

‘icon behavior’,

‘She’s my queen’ .

Nicola commanded attention last Thursday at the special screening in Dublin  as she joined her co-star Luke at the Light House Cinema.

The first part of the season saw their will-they-won’t-they flirtation finally turn to romance and ended on a raunchy cliffhanger, with the second instalment set to drop June 13. 

Nicola pulled out all the stops for the special screening as she graced the red carpet in a bespoke black satin floor-length gown by Erdem. 

The stylish ensemble boasted a diamond embellished corset bust, a sheer wrap shoulder detailing, and a tulle skirt.

Season three of Bridgerton dropped last month, with eager fans wasting no time in settling down to devour the latest antics of the Regency-era romantics.

And the series seems to be back better than ever, as according to What’s On Netflix, it pulled in a shocking 45.1M views within just four days of going global on Netflix.

After the romp-fest came under fire for its lack of steamy scenes in the second series, the first four episodes of series three treated viewers to at least six minutes of kissing, sex, threesomes and lesbian love-making.

But after being promised that this season is the steamiest yet, fans were still made to wait until the closing moments of part one for the central love story to really kick off.

Series three focuses on the long-awaited romance between Penelope and Colin, but the plotline of the best friends realising their true feelings proves to be a slow burner.

Part One ends on a steamy cliffhanger as after being unable to think of anyone else, Colin eventually declares his love for Penelope in a carriage after she was left heartbroken by Lord Debling.

During the encounter at the end of the fourth episode, Penelope admits that she’d ‘very much like to be more than friends’ with Colin, and the pair eventually kiss, going on to share quite a steamy scene together. 

But just as they’re getting into it, they arrive at the Bridgerton house, and after Colin fixes Penelope’s dress and hair, he steps down from the carriage and puts out his hand to Penelope to ask whether she’s coming with him. 

The show was then left on a cliffhanger, as Colin hit fans with the iconic line from the Romancing Mister Bridgerton novel: ‘For God’s sake, Penelope Featherington, are you going to marry me or not?’