Bridgerton star Simone Ashley (Sex Education, The Little Mermaid, The Sister) is standing up for her co-star in the series, Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Barbie, Big Mood), who has received body-shaming comments after viewers saw her steamy scenes in the latest season of the show, Deadline reports.
“Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I think we can all relate to that, but I really don’t think that she’s allowing that to bother her,” Ashley explained via Deadline. “She has a strong and fruitful career and entire life ahead of her. And I really believe in her, as the world does as well.”
According to Deadline, Ashley has played Kate Bridgerton for the past two seasons, while Coughlan has been portraying the timid yet powerful Penelope Featherington since the series began on Netflix. Coughlan’s character was the focus in the latest season as the romance with Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton (The Lodge, Lake Placid: Legacy, The Cut), has bloomed.
“I think Nicola is just absolutely flying,” Ashley added via Deadline. “She is a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman, seeing her do this press tour and spread so much joy and inspiration to everyone — especially women — all over the world.”
Ashley shared that she has always been “inspired” by her colleague Coughlan by stating, “She’s also a really kind human being, and I think that’s such a universal language that people can relate to,” via Deadline.
Viewers were shocked when they saw the intimate scenes between Coughlan and Newton in the show’s latest season. During a press conference with show fans a few weeks prior, Coughlan addressed the comment of a viewer, who defined her as “brave” for filming steamy scenes, via Deadline.
“You know, I think it is hard, because I think women with my body type, women with perfect breasts, we don’t get to see ourselves on screen enough,” she explained via a video filmed by a fan, who posted it on X (formerly Twitter) afterward. “I am very proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them,” via Deadline.
Bridgerton‘s complete three seasons are now available to stream on Netflix.