Who is Nicola Coughlan dating?

Is Nicola Coughlan dating Luke Newton mirrors Polin?

Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has shared how her off-screen friendship with co-star Luke Newton parallels their characters’ evolving romance in the show.

Season 3 of the hit Netflix series spotlights the deepening bond between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, affectionately dubbed “Polin” by fans. Coughlan compared their characters’ transition from friends to lovers with her growing friendship with Newton, revealing that their connection strengthened significantly during filming.

“Penelope and Colin’s journey from friendship to romance felt similar to mine and Luke’s relationship,” Coughlan told Netflix Queue. “We went from doing small scenes together to developing a much closer working relationship as we filmed more.”

She emphasized the uniqueness of their bond, saying, “No two people have had this specific experience. We had two seasons of friendship to build on, and we’re really grateful for that.”

Newton added that their story stands out from the other couples in Bridgerton: “Most of the other stories focus on the initial passionate meeting, but this one is a long-game from friends to lovers. It felt like the perfect timing to explore this in Season 3; any later would’ve been too late, and earlier wouldn’t have given their relationship enough history.”

Despite the on-screen chemistry, both Coughlan and Newton have clarified that they are not romantically involved in real life. The Derry Girls star admitted that while the rumors are “really sweet,” they likely stem from their genuine affection for each other. “He’s such a special person in my life,” Coughlan told Extra. “I’ll never get to do something like this on such a scale again, and it’s so nice to share it with such a good friend.”

Since its debut, Bridgerton season 3, part 1, has amassed 45.1 million views and 180 million hours watched, making a significant impact with audiences worldwide.