Explore 8 surprising facts about Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton’s friendship, from dance practices to activism support and red-carpet moments.
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton aren’t just stealing hearts on-screen in Bridgerton; they’re melting them off-screen too, don’t you agree? As Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton take center stage in season 3, fans are treated to a love story that’s as sweet as it is slow-burning. But did you know these two are total besties in real life, and their friendship might just outshine the drama of the ton?
Undoubtedly, Bridgerton has always been about swoon-worthy romance and scandal, but Coughlan and Newton bring a refreshing dose of fun and authenticity behind the scenes. From sharing hilarious anecdotes in interviews to hyping each other up on social media, their bond is the kind that makes you go, “Can we join this friendship?”
As season 3 dived into the much-anticipated friends-to-lovers arc, Coughlan and Newton are giving us all the feels on and off camera. Whether it’s Coughlan teasing Newton’s karaoke skills or him calling her his “partner-in-crime,” these two are just as delightful as their characters. Aren’t you curious about the story behind their sweet camaraderie? Here are 8 things you probably didn’t know about Coughlan and Newton’s friendship that’ll make you love them even more.
8. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton are dance partners
Before setting the screen on fire in Bridgerton season 3, Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton were busy perfecting their dance moves together. Yep, these two have been dance partners for years, and it turns out all that practice paid off big time.
Coughlan told E! News,
We had a certain physical comfort level with each other which helps immensely.
Of course, Newton agreed, saying their connection felt natural on screen. Coughlan even admitted they’d been holding back their on-screen chemistry for the first two seasons. She said,
We just went for it. We had to kind of hold back on the chemistry for the first two seasons. And then it was like when we were ready to unleash it, we were like, ‘Here you go!’
And oh boy, did they deliver. Filming those steamy scenes might sound intimidating, but for these two, it was actually comforting. Newton explained that having a close friendship for four years made everything feel less scary and more like a team effort. Whether they’re dancing through rehearsals or heating things up on screen, they proved that a little friendship and a lot of twirling can make the magic happen.
7. Nicola Coughlan encouraged Luke Newton in his play
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton’s friendship goes way beyond the Bridgerton set because these two are each other’s biggest cheerleaders in real life too. When Newton was busy dazzling audiences in The Shape of Things on London’s West End in June 2023, Coughlan made sure to show up and hype him up like the true friend she is.
She even shared a cute photo of the two of them hanging out in a cozy restaurant booth, all smiles.
And here’s a fun little detail: Bridgerton alum Charithra Chandran (a.k.a. Edwina Sharma from season 2) was the one behind the camera snapping the pic. Bridgerton bonds clearly run deep, don’t you think?
6. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton’s years of friendship helped them with Bridgerton
When it comes to playing Penelope and Colin, Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton had an ace up their sleeves: years of real-life friendship. The duo admitted that their bond made filming season 3 of Bridgerton not just easier but a whole lot more fun.
While chatting with Good Morning America, Newton joked about how weird it would’ve been if either of them had been replaced for season 3. He said,
It just would not be the same and it also says a lot about the character’s journey.
Coughlan chimed in, sharing that their friendship is built on good communication and loads of respect, key ingredients for nailing those friends-to-lovers vibes. She said,
We’re like, go for it. But it was just having control. It helps so much that it ended up making it a really lovely experience.
In another interview with News Breakfast, they admitted that their connection behind the scenes felt like a perfect mirror of Penelope and Colin’s evolving relationship. Coughlan laughed about how they couldn’t fake their chemistry even if they tried, saying,
I think either of us would really struggle to be disingenuous, it’s just not in us.
Honestly, is there anything sweeter than friendship doubling as the secret sauce for swoon-worthy romance?
5. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton enjoy their Bridgerton time
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton aren’t just stealing hearts on-screen; they’re having a blast off-screen too. At the time of Bridgerton season 3’s big debut, the duo hit the red carpet at the New York City premiere, looking like the perfect pair. While Coughlan stunned in a white off-the-shoulder dress with a dramatic train, Newton kept it sharp in a red-and-black jacket paired with dark pants.
As fans swooned over their undeniable chemistry, Coughlan addressed those ever-buzzing dating rumors in an interview with Extra. Turns out, she and Newton find all the fan excitement “really sweet.” Coughlan didn’t hold back her love for her co-star and gushed about how amazing it was to share such a unique experience with him. She said,
He is a really special person in my life, and I got to do this experience with him. I’ll never get to do something like this again, on this scale … It’s so nice having such a lovely friend that I can do all this with.
Honestly, Coughlan and Newton’s Bridgerton time is one for the history books, and we’re here for every moment of it.
4. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton’s ‘incredible’ relationship
Working together on Bridgerton has been nothing short of a dream for Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton. In a May 2024 chat with Women’s Wear Daily, Newton opened up about their tight-knit bond on and off set, calling their relationship at work “incredible.”
He shared how comforting it was to navigate the highs and lows of filming season 3 with someone who understood exactly what he was going through. Whether it was tackling the tough moments or celebrating the joyful ones, Coughlan was right there with him, making the long days flow effortlessly.
He also gave Coughlan a shout-out for being his media-savvy guide as they braved the frenzy surrounding Bridgerton’s latest season. He noted how things go from calm to chaotic when the two step out together.
When I’m with Nic, it’s [crazy]. But it’s really cool and she’s so sort of gracious with it and just handles it so well. She’s a great example of how to cope with the sudden fame.
From handling fame with flair to being the ultimate support system, Coughlan and Newton’s partnership is a lesson in friendship goals.
3. Luke Newton supported Nicola Coughlan’s activism efforts
Luke Newton proved once again that he’s the ultimate friend by supporting Nicola Coughlan’s incredible activism efforts. Coughlan teamed up with the nonprofit Choose Love to create an exclusive t-shirt aimed at raising funds for refugees and displaced people worldwide. The design, which Coughlan illustrated herself, featured a girl holding an umbrella under a shower of love, a simple yet powerful message.
In October 2023, Coughlan proudly shared a selfie of Newton rocking the t-shirt on Instagram. She went on to thank Newton for being such a solid supporter of both her and the charity, praising him for helping amplify a cause that’s close to her heart.
It’s not every day you see co-stars show up for each other like this, but Coughlan and Newton’s friendship keeps proving it’s one of a kind.
2. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton held hands at the Bridgerton season 3 launch
Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton gave Polin fans plenty to swoon over with season 3’s release. In April 2024, the duo turned heads at a launch event held at the picturesque Milton Park Country House in Bowral, Australia. On the red carpet, they were spotted holding hands, sending fans into a frenzy over their undeniable chemistry.
Inside the event, Coughlan had a cheeky explanation for their on-screen connection. Speaking to Elle Australia, she quipped,
We’ve known each other now five years and people were like, ‘What did you do to build the chemistry?’ And I’m like, ‘Well, we just stopped repressing it, and then it was fine, we didn’t have to do anything.’
Their close bond was on display at another event when a fan-captured TikTok video showed Newton offering his hand to Coughlan. Instead, she casually linked their arms, proving their effortless camaraderie.
Despite the sweet gestures and fan-fueled rumors, People confirmed in May 2024 that the two are simply besties. A source close to the actors clarified they’re “just friends” and incredibly “supportive” of each other.
1. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton broke furniture during a steamy Bridgerton scene
Turns out, when Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton bring the heat, furniture doesn’t stand a chance. During a chat with 7News Australia, the Bridgerton stars hilariously confirmed rumors that they broke a piece of furniture while filming a steamy season 3 scene. Without missing a beat, Coughlan declared,
Hell yeah we did.
The Derry Girls actress admitted she was initially nervous about filming the intimate scenes but credited Luke for making the process more comfortable. She said,
I think Luke and I went on such a journey together and we have such a good relationship, he’s such a lovely friend, that we could talk about and have a laugh about.
Newton chimed in, describing the atmosphere on set as a “really safe space,” where they felt free to experiment with different approaches to their scenes. One such “experiment” ended in an unplanned furniture casualty. Their reaction? Pure laughter.
Newton shared that he secretly hoped their genuine giggles might make it into the final cut. While Bridgerton season 3 promises plenty of passion, it’s safe to say this particular moment might just steal the show, for both its steam and slapstick charm.
