Nicola Coughlan on why she doesn’t “method dress” on red carpets

Galway girl and Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan attended the premiere of Bridgerton season three, part two at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin’s Smithfield, alongside co-star Luke Newton.

Her red carpet appearances have been nothing short of dazzling, so it’s no surprise that Coughlan and her stylist Aimee Croysdill worked even more magic for the Dublin premiere.

Speaking to RTÉ Lifestyle, she reflected on avoiding “method dressing” on the red carpet, the exception to this rule she made for the Dublin premiere, and why the Artists for Ceasefire pin has been a firm fixture of her red carpet looks.

“Some actors love to method dress, like Margot [Robbie] did for Barbie or Zendaya does with Law [Roach] for all her projects, but Aimee and I like to go the other way where I love to get away from the character I’m playing.

“But today is a tribute to Bridgerton“, she said, referring to her dazzling custom gown by Erdem. The dress featured a voluminous tulle skirt, a form-fitting corset bodice, tulle draping over the bust and shoulders and a sparkling embellished bee broach on one strap.

She added: “I wanted something really special to come home in.”

“We just have fun”, she continued, “because where would I ever wear something so outlandish? I’m not going to wear it to the pub with my friends or a friend’s wedding. I feel like it would be a bit over the top, to turn up in a giant red cape”, referring to her jaw-dropping turn in a taffeta cape at the Toronto premiere for the show.

The Artists for Ceasefire pin has been a permanent addition to these dazzling looks, something that Coughlan is passionate about.

“This show is so huge and even if it hadn’t been half as big as the other two previous seasons, it still would have a huge audience. There’s a lot of eyes on me right now and if I can use it to amplify a cause [she will].

“Artists for Ceasefire is a brilliant cause and it’s a call to President Biden for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, a release of the hostages and aid into Gaza, and I think it’s just a really important message.”

Speaking about the show’s raunchy nature and how her family have reacted, Coughlan noted that her sister was at the premiere this evening, something she herself has “mixed feelings” about.

“I was like, you know, when I walk into a room and there’s a mirror just close your eyes for like a few minutes”, she joked, referencing the infamous mirror scene from the original book, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, the fourth book in the series by Julia Quinn.

“Luke and I are going to go for a drink and I’ll come back and be like, let’s never talk about it!”