How old is Penelope in ‘Bridgerton’ and how old is the actress who plays her?

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Nicola Coughlan is stepping into the limelight with her role as the reserved yet clever Penelope Featherington in the highly anticipated third season of Bridgerton.

In the newly released trailer for the third installment of the beloved Regency-era historical romance series, viewers catch a glimpse of Coughlan’s Penelope embarking on a quest to find a husband. This comes after her decision to move on from her feelings for charming Colin Bridgerton, portrayed by Luke Newton, who intriguingly offers his help as a friend. The upcoming season is based on the fourth book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, titled Romancing Mister Bridgerton.

One intriguing aspect about Coughlan’s portrayal of Penelope is the significant age difference between the actress and her character. While Penelope is meant to be 19 in the upcoming season, Coughlan herself is 37 years old—a fact that often surprises fans. Despite the age gap, Coughlan effortlessly embodies Penelope’s youthful spirit and intelligence on screen, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

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Coughlan’s rise to prominence began with her breakout role as the endearingly anxious Clare in the popular Netflix teen series, Derry Girls. Since then, she has captivated audiences with her performances, including a memorable appearance in Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s groundbreaking box-office hit Barbie as Diplomat Barbie. Bridgerton has undoubtedly been a significant focus for Coughlan since 2020, marking her transition into more prominent roles in the entertainment industry.

Fans can look forward to witnessing Coughlan shine in her first major lead role when the first part of Bridgerton’s third season premieres on Netflix on May 16. The second part is set to follow a month later on June 13, promising more of Coughlan’s captivating portrayal of Penelope Featherington.