Nicola Coughlan has confirmed that she and co-star Luke Newton got ‘so comfortable’ that they would lounge together naked in between filming sex scenes for Bridgerton.
The eagerly-anticipated new season of the show, which hits Netflix next month, will feature the actress, 37, getting hot and heavy with her love interest Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke, 31.
Nicola has already teased that series three will be even raunchier than the previous two, which became famous for their racy moments.
But despite admitting she was initially nervous about having her own intimate scenes, the Derry Girls star has gushed that she and Luke got to the point where they were able to relax, even while nude.
Nicola appeared on the cover of the April issue of Teen Vogue, looking resplendent in a sparkly off-the-shoulder gown.
She also modelled a glamorous black dress teamed with a leather trenchcoat and a classic red lip, and showed a glimpse of cleavage in a furry blue jacket.
Speaking to the publication, she was asked about the veracity of her and Luke’s previous comments about their comfortability on set.
In February, the pair had spoken to AP about the show’s sex scenes, with Nicola saying: ‘There is such vulnerability in those scenes and it’s also a really important part of the story – they’re an important part of the narrative.
‘But [Luke] made me feel really taken care of. Like we really had each other’s backs and also then we could just have a laugh about it. Like to the point that we were just lying under a blanket being like “We’re actually chill now.”‘
Luke laughed and echoed: ‘Yeah halfway through the day you just relax and you’re like “I don’t even care that I’m naked”.’
Nicola added: ‘We were having the best time. They were like do you want to get up and we were like “No, no, I’m fine. I’m comfy”.’
Speaking to Teen Vogue, Nicola confirmed: ‘Yeah, so it’s really funny. That is true.
‘It is a testament to the fact that we just got to a point where we were so comfortable together. We’d just finished the big sex scene, the most intense and involved one…. and we just felt relieved.’
She added that logistically it also made sense to only be clad in a tiny amount of ‘not of even real clothes’ so they could get back to work straight away.
Luke also told the publication that the fact that he and Nicola had already known each other and worked together for several years helped them feel less nervous about filming sizzling scenes, as they could support each other.
He said: ‘Having shot [romance] scenes with Nicola and with actors that I would perhaps meet on the same day, I think a lot of people think it’s better not to know the person.
‘But I actually think having a really solid friendship with someone and trusting someone is a lot easier.
‘We could support each other in whatever way we needed on set, and also just have a laugh about it.
‘I’m really glad we got to share it together. It was like having a really close friend as you’re going through something that’s maybe quite daunting.’
Earlier this month, Nicola said she had actually found shooting the sex scenes ‘enjoyable and empowering’, revealing they had even broken furniture while going at it.
She said: ‘We did break a piece of furniture while doing one of those scenes. I didn’t know what it was gonna be like, but it’s a little bit like a stunt in which they’re like, “Okay, we’re gonna do this, this, and this…”
‘But then they gave us freedom to like, we had a lot of say in how we did those scenes and what we wanted to do…
‘And that makes you feel quite empowered and you’re like, “Oh yeah, we’re gonna do this, this, and this.” So we felt super. They were actually really enjoyable. I didn’t think they would be. They were great. It was fun.’
The first instalment of the third series of Bridgerton, with Nicola in the lead role, will be released on Netflix in mid-May.
Appearing on This Morning, she teased: ‘This season is really funny and romantic, they’ve incorporated a lot of romcom. And it’s not one to watch with the family. Take of that what you will.
‘It was terrifying. I am an Irish woman, and any Irish woman would feel like they can’t do this. And then I went and realised, it’s my job so I better. I had a great partner, and it was terrifying, but really liberating. I was exhausted by the end.’
The third series of the hit regency romance, which follows the eight Bridgerton siblings attempting to find love, will pick up with Penelope and Colin’s love story.
Phoebe Dynevor, 28, starred in the period drama in series one – which saw her take part in multiple sex scenes with actor Rege-Jean Page, 35.
In the final episode of series two, with followed the eldest Bridgerton son, Penelope heard long-time friend Colin’s snide comments to the other gentlemen about her and decided to finally give up on her unrequited feelings for him.
