Biography
Nicola Coughlan is an Irish actress. Born on 9 January 1987 in Galway, she grew up in Oranmore. She is known for playing Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls (2018–2022) and Penelope Featherington in the Netflix series Bridgerton (2020–present). She also appeared in Barbie (2023) and is credited as Silky in the 2026 film The Magic Faraway Tree.
Coughlan graduated with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She trained at the Oxford School of Drama and the Birmingham School of Acting.
She received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Bridgerton and a British Academy Television Award nomination for Big Mood (2024–present).
