Nicola Coughlan Blasts People Labeling Her as a ‘Plus-Size’ Woman

Nicola Coughlan, acclaimed for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton, has addressed ongoing scrutiny of her body. In an interview with ELLE UK’s April 2026 issue, she rejected the “plus-size” label, clarified she was a UK size 8-10 during Bridgerton season 3’s nude scenes, and expressed disinterest in promoting body positivity.

She described repeated focus on her appearance as “so fking boring,” and emphasized that her work should take precedence over discussions about her body.

Coughlan’s remarks follow heightened public attention to her appearance, especially after Bridgerton season 3’s Polin storyline. The season included a notable nude scene, which Coughlan supported as an empowering response to body critics. However, she rejected the body-positivity narrative often attributed to her in the ELLE interview.

Nicola Coughlan addressed the absurdity of being labeled “plus-size” despite her efforts to prepare for the role. “You know what was really bizarre was, when I was shooting that series, I was exercising a lot because I knew I had to, so I had lost a bunch of weight – I was probably a size 10 and one of the corsets was a size eight,” she said. “And then people talked about how I was plus size, and I was like, ‘How fd are we that I am the biggest woman you want to see on screen?’”

This underscores Coughlan’s broader critique of Hollywood’s restrictive beauty standards. She noted that being seen as the “biggest” woman on screen, despite being average or below-average in size, reveals deeper issues in representation. In a 2024 TIME interview, she described the “plus-size heroine” label as “insulting” and “reductive,” and pointed out she is “a few sizes below the average size of a woman in the U.K.”

Nicola Coughlan’s frustration stems from repeated, unsolicited “plus-size” comments about her body. She recounted an uncomfortable incident: “I remember this really drunk girl once talking to me in a bathroom being like, ‘I loved [Bridgerton] because of your body.’ And started talking about my body, and I was like, ‘I want to die. I hate this so much…’”

She added that this focus undermines her professional achievements: “It’s really hard when you work on something for months and months of your life, you don’t see your family, you really dedicate yourself and then it comes down to what you look like – it’s so f*****g boring.”

Nicola Coughlan made her position on body positivity and the “plus-size” label clear: “The thing I say sometimes that ps people off is I have no interest in body positivity. When I was a kid growing up, I never thought about that. I didn’t look at actors and think about their bodies. So, I actually don’t care.”

She continued: “There’s a lot of things I’m passionate about, it’s not one of them… That’s someone else’s thing. It’s not mine.”

Unlike many peers who embrace body-positivity messaging, Coughlan has prioritized her craft over symbolic roles. She avoided typecasting after Derry Girls, stating, “Derry Girls was incredible, but you do have a moment where you go, ‘Am I going to play this character forever?’ I was lucky that Bridgerton came around, because it was really different right away.”

Coughlan’s decision to appear nude in Bridgerton season 3 was both personal and defiant. In previous interviews, she described it as a reclaiming moment: “It just felt like the biggest ‘fk you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering.” She expressed a desire to look back at 80 and remember “how fking hot I looked!”

Nicola Coughlan also shared insights into her relationship with actor Jake Dunn. “We try our best. I send him annoying videos all the time and then, you know, a lot of Facetime, but he’s super-busy,” she said. “Before we were together, I just thought he was a really talented actor. But I love when people have their own stuff going on.”

Professionally, Coughlan continues to expand her repertoire. She recently starred in a revival of J.M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World at London’s National Theatre, alongside Derry Girls co-star Siobhán McSweeney. The production, which ran through early 2026, brought both joy and challenges.

After falling ill, Coughlan paused stage-door autographs on medical advice to focus on recovery and performances. “This show is a joy to be in and I’m loving every moment,” she posted.

Coughlan’s journey from retail jobs and early challenges to global recognition highlights her resilience. Diagnosed with ADHD in her thirties, she raises awareness but declines advocacy roles she does not personally claim.

The actress’s remarks come as body discussions often overshadow talent in celebrity coverage. By declining the “body-positive icon” label, she challenges reductive narratives and refocuses attention on her work. Her candid and unapologetic approach resonates with audiences seeking authenticity.

With Bridgerton continuing and new projects ahead, Coughlan’s message is clear: her work should be judged by performance, not appearance. In an industry focused on image, she insists on being recognized as an actor first.

Photo: ELLE