Nicola Coughlan’s Complete Dating History

With the third season of Bridgerton, fans of the historical romance series on Netflix have become fixated on the season’s leads: Colin and Penelope, played respectively by Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan. In fact, most people are fantasizing about the actors being romantically connected in real life.

Unfortunately for the shippers, Newton and Coughlan are not together. A source told People that they are “just friends” who are “supportive co-stars for each other,” but they are definitely “not dating.”

But anonymous insiders aren’t even needed, because Coughlan has addressed the rumors herself, telling Extra at the Bridgerton premiere of the rumors, “We think it’s really sweet, I think because we truly love each other, you know what I mean?”

She continued, “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. Like are you kidding me? Like, we’re here in New York City, having our premiere. So it’s so nice having such a lovely friend that I can do all this with.”

She has also joked about how all the kissing scenes are actually more comfortable because of their friendship, telling SiriusXM in April, “We would be like, in between scenes, and they were like, ‘Do you wanna get up and put your clothes on?’ We’re like, ‘We’ll just chill here.’ Like, in under the blankets. But then we have the advantage of knowing each other for years.”

Coughlan has kept a lot private when it comes to dating. She did say in an interview with Marie Claire that there are upsides and downsides to dating in the Regency era and dating now.

“I think nowadays they smell better. That’s what I always think about the past…we think of it as so romantic and lovely, but then there was no personal hygiene,” she explained. “[It’s] good because we have a choice now, but then there’s that thing of the paradox of choice. We have too much choice, it’s not good. So, there’s probably good and bad things for both.”

Here’s what we do know about Coughlan’s romantic past—and her current rumored boyfriend.

Laurie Kynaston

While she might not be romantically connected to anyone on the cast of Bridgerton, she did allegedly date actor Laurie Kynaston, who appeared on an episode of Derry Girls. Kynaston was cast as a Protestant student who Coughlan’s character Clare was paired with on a day of cultural exchange. Though they never publicly confirmed anything, she has posted photos of them together, and they look close.

A publication called GalwayBeo claims they eventually split up “to focus on their acting careers.”

Dive Deeper into ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3

Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan Is Ready to Make an Entrance

All About Bridgerton’s Luke Newton

‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Part 2: What We Know So Far

Jake Dunn

In August 2024, the Daily Mail shared photos of Coughlan and actor Jake Dunn at a Mitski show at All Points East festival at Victoria Park, looking more intimate than friends. Coughlan wore a white mini dress and was seen with her arm around Dunn’s waist.

Dunn is best known for his role on Disney+’s Renegade Nell, in which he plays the show’s villain, Thomas. Dunn’s costar, Alice Kremelberg, shared a throwback pic from the show’s world premiere in March 2024 in London, and Coughlan makes an appearance, indicating they have known one another for a while.

But they still haven’t commented officially on their rumored relationship. They were seen together again in October 2024 in London and in early January 2025, Instagram gossip account Deux Moi posted pics of Coughlan and Dunn walking through London. The couple held hands and embraced. At one point, Dunn tucked Couglan’s hand into the pocket of his hoodie to keep it warm.