Discover the fascinating life and career of Nicola Coughlan, the acclaimed Irish actress celebrated for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton. From her early acting days to her outspoken advocacy, this comprehensive guide delves into all aspects of her journey.
Wiki/Biography
Nicola Coughlan was born on Friday, January 9, 1987 (age 35 years; as of 2022), in Galway, Ireland. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn. She pursued a foundation course in acting at The Oxford School of Drama, England, followed by a full-time acting course at Birmingham School of Acting. She also holds a degree in English and Classical Civilisation from the National University of Ireland, Galway, demonstrating her diverse academic background.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 1”
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Blonde
Family & Ethnicity
Nicola’s father served in the army. She is the youngest of four siblings, with an older brother, Kieran Coughlan, and an older sister, Clodagh Geraghty. This close-knit family likely played a significant role in shaping her personality and career aspirations.
Career
Her acting debut was in the short film “The Phantom Cnut” (2004), where she played Katie. Her television debut followed in 2012 with the role of Marrie Callaghan in the British series, Doctors. However, her breakthrough role came as Clare Devlin in the hit series, Derry Girls (2018).
Beyond television, Coughlan boasts an impressive stage career. She’s appeared in numerous plays, including “Chapel Street,” “Duck,” “Jess and Joe Forever,” “Nadya,” and “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” Her vocal talents extend to voice acting in several animated productions such as The Fairytaler and Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer.
Awards & Achievements
Her talent has been recognized with several prestigious awards:
- The Stage Ones to Watch 2011 (for “Graduation Showcase”)
- Evening Standard Magazine Rising Stars 2018 (for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”)
- Joe Annual Comedy Awards 2019 (for Derry Girls)
Controversies
Coughlan has bravely addressed body-shaming in the media. A notable incident involved a British tabloid’s criticism of her appearance at the BAFTA awards, which she publicly challenged. She also confronted a theater critic for repeatedly making inappropriate comments about her weight in his reviews, highlighting her commitment to body positivity and self-acceptance. Her actions have inspired many other actresses to speak out against such negativity.
Favorite Things
Here’s a glimpse into Nicola’s preferences:
| Category | Favorites |
|---|---|
| Food | Curry Chips, Chicken Wraps, Nachos |
| Films | Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name, The Wizard of Oz series, Star Wars original trilogy |
| TV Shows | A Very English Scandal, Ordeal by Innocence, Maniac, Queer Eye, PEN15 |
| Actor | Andrew Scott |
| Actresses | Saoirse Ronan, Sarah Greene, Seana Kerslake, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon |
Facts/Trivia
- In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading biographies, and watching movies and TV shows.
- While studying in Galway, she won the Outstanding Individual Performance Award at the “Acting Up” National University Improvisation Competition.
- After her foundation acting course, she briefly worked as a receptionist before attending Birmingham School of Acting.
- She is close friends with Jonathan Van Ness.
- She’s a dedicated philanthropist, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, fighting for reproductive rights, combating racism, and raising awareness about climate change.
- In 2019, she publicly endorsed the Labour Party.
