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Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope Featherington in “Bridgerton,” has garnered attention for her ability to convincingly portray characters much younger than her actual age, and the internet has only recently caught on to this phenomenon.
Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Clare Devlin in the 2018 sitcom “Derry Girls,” where she played a teenage girl despite being in her 30s at the time. Despite the characters being meant to be 16 years old, Nicola’s age went unnoticed by the audience.
With the highly anticipated release of “Bridgerton” season three approaching, where Penelope and Colin take center stage, online discourse about how the 37-year-old actress manages to appear much younger has intensified.
In “Bridgerton,” her character is depicted as 17 or 18 in season one, making her around 19 or 20 in the upcoming episodes. Some users attribute Nicola’s youthful appearance to her full cheeks, which keep her looking radiant and youthful even at 37.
Nicola’s petite stature, standing at just five feet and one inch tall according to IMDB, also contributes to the illusion of her being much younger. In comparison, her on-screen love interest Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, stands at six feet tall. Her close friend in the series, Eloise Bridgerton, portrayed by Claudia Jessie, stands at five feet and six inches.
In response to conversations about her age, Nicola addressed the topic in an interview with Teen Vogue. She humorously credited her youthful appearance to makeup and limited sun exposure during her upbringing. Despite online discussions, Nicola recounted being told she was too old to play a teenager even in her mid-twenties by casting directors.
Nevertheless, Nicola has consistently proved skeptics wrong, and fans continue to support her. “Bridgerton” enthusiasts eagerly anticipate seeing Nicola reprise her role as Penelope Featherington. Come May 16, they will have the chance to witness Penelope’s love story portrayed by Nicola, showcasing her talent and youthful charm at a petite 5 foot 1 inches.