Nicola Coughlan is clearing the air on whether her waist on Bridgerton is thanks to Photoshop or just good old-fashioned corsetry.
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Coughlan, who dazzles as Penelope Featherington on Netflix’s hit series, reveals that the Regency-inspired costumes have set social media abuzz with speculation and sartorial envy.
“I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really molds to it,” she told People about the period piece costumes. “Sometimes they come in a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I’m like, ‘Oh, you can go tight,’ and they go, ‘What do you mean?’ I’m like, ‘My body now will go whew.’”
Nicola Coughlan admits she saw chatter online about her figure getting Photoshopped. “I saw some trolls. They were like, ‘They photoshopped your waist,’ and I was like, ‘No, they did not,’” she insisted.
Based on Julia Quinn’s book series, Bridgerton is set in an alternative Regency-era London of the early 1800s. The series imagines a world where King George III established racial equality. George elevated many individuals of African descent to nobility due to Queen Charlotte’s heritage. Viewers are taken into the competitive social season, where young, marriageable nobles and gentry are introduced to society.
Nicola Coughlan’s Co-star Admits He Doesn’t Have the Same Wardrobe Ordeals on ‘Bridgerton’
Luke Newton, who portrays Colin Bridgerton in the series, mentions he’s “not complaining” about the men’s costumes. However, he admits to eagerly anticipating switching to more casual attire once filming concludes.
“I don’t wear a corset. I don’t wear heels, but it really does change your posture, which feels good. It really helps with the character,” Newton explained about his dapper attire. “But then as soon as I’m off set, I want to be in the most comfortable outfit.”
Meanwhile, Nicola Coughlan doesn’t see herself as particularly daring for wearing only her birthday suit in some scenes. Earlier this week, at a fan event in Dublin, 37-year-old Coughlan responded playfully after being told she was “very brave” for her nude scenes on the show.
“You know, I think it is hard,” she said fan footage posted on social media, “because I think women with my body type — women with perfect breasts — we don’t get to see ourselves on screen enough.”
“I am a very proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them,” she quipped.
Bridgerton Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.