“Being stealthy isn’t my forte. It just wouldn’t sit right with me.”
The highly regarded actress from Bridgerton, and the cherished Nicola Coughlan has openly talked about the push she’s felt to misrepresent her age to land better acting opportunities.
Recently, Nicola has been the focal point of conversations regarding her naturally youthful look, particularly after her actual age was made public.
For those who might not be aware, Nicola is 37 years old. Renowned for her roles as adolescents in critically successful television shows (like Clare in Derry Girls and Penelope in Bridgerton), the reality of her age has intrigued fans and followers.
Nicola shared that in her early career, advisors would nudge her to play down her age to gain access to more esteemed acting parts.
“It’s peculiar, really,” she said, “because industry insiders once told me it’d be in my best interest to fib about how old I am. That idea never sat well with me, especially since falsehoods aren’t in my nature. It just felt wrong.”
The incessant focus on women’s ages and how hers has been a topic of conversation compelled her to examine if she should be so open about her age.
“Reflecting on the matter, considering that ageism does exist in the industry,” she mused. “Sometimes I wonder if it would’ve been better to leave it a mystery. Should I have been less transparent? But I feel that by doing so, it’s like contributing to the marginalization of women.”
Nicola underscored that she didn’t get any shortcuts or favors in the industry, stressing how she fought to get her first role at the age of 30. Speaking to the industry’s imbalances, she noted, “Men seem to get a pass when it comes to age. Women, on the other hand, aren’t afforded that ambiguity.”
On speaking about her professional achievements, she declared: “I’ve earned this on my own merit. There’s no sense of shame in the path I took to get here. On the contrary, it’s a source of immense pride for me.”
