Nicola Coughlan is reducing her focus as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton Season 5. The actress admitted the change feels bittersweet after four seasons. She also said the smaller role has brought a welcome sense of freedom.
Nicola Coughlan is reducing her focus as Penelope Featherington
Coughlan has spent four seasons at the center of Bridgerton. However, Penelope will have a smaller role during the upcoming fifth season. Coughlan said the change brought mixed emotions.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” Coughlan said in an interview with E! News. She explained that she could now work on Only Murders while returning to Bridgerton. She said visiting the set still felt like coming home.
Coughlan also described leading Season 3 as an incredible experience. However, she welcomed having less pressure during Season 5. The change also affected Penelope’s connection to Lady Whistledown. Penelope will no longer hold the secret identity during the new season. Coughlan also admitted she did not know who inherited the role.
“I told everyone and said I was her,” Coughlan joked. She explained that producers knew she was “really bad at keeping secrets.” As a result, she said they decided not to tell her the new identity. Coughlan described leaving the central spotlight as emotional. “It’s bittersweet,” she admitted. “I feel like, God, I had such an epic run.”
The actress also praised the show’s ability to reinvent itself. “I think that’s part of the beauty of that world is it keeps reinventing itself,” she said. Each season brings a different story and a new focus.
Coughlan remained eager to return whenever the series wanted her. “I’ll always pop back to ‘Bridgerton’ if they want me,” she said. “If I can be set dressing, I’ll be there.”
Meanwhile, her reduced Bridgerton role allowed Coughlan to explore other projects. Her upcoming movie The Magic Faraway Tree was set to hit theatres August 21. The film also stars Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK NICOLA COUGHLAN’S SMALLER ‘BRIDGERTON’ ROLE WILL CHANGE THE SHOW? ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE HER RETURN?
