From Damn Nerds | Infobaewe had the opportunity to talk with Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Barbie, Seize Them!) and luke newton (The Cut, The Lodge, The Shape of Things), who play Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton in the hit series Netflix. As we have seen in previous seasons, the plot focuses on a different member of the main family in each installment, exploring her personal and loving search. On this occasion, the actors shared with us how they prepared their characters for the third season and what it means for them to take center stage after the events centered on Daphne Bridgerton and Anthony Bridgerton.
We invite you to watch our video interview or read a transcript below.
—Thank you guys for taking the time to talk to me. I love that as the seasons go by we all know and love these characters so much. And I know that you both read the books at the beginning of the first season and were like “imagine if this happened and we had to do any of this.” What was it like when you knew this was really going to happen?
Luke Newton: —Yes, I think it was at the beginning of the second season. So we started the journey that our characters took and everything started to make sense, you know. The way the end of season two was written, I was thinking “we’re getting to a point here where we’re going to deal with this no matter what happens going into season three.” We had a lot of time to prepare, and I guess we always thought that at some point it would come to that and I think it lends itself to the “friends to lovers” trope, we’ve been able to build our friendship over the last five years and become very close. . So when we got to the set, in whatever capacity it was, we felt comfortable and at ease to be able to… Yes, act.
—And Nicola, I know that… This season we were used to seeing you as “invisible”, without being heard and I mean, she doesn’t like to be in the center and this season is all about her. She is the center of everything. And I wanted to know what it was like for you, knowing these characters so much, you know, as an actress to come and see them grow and evolve.
Nicola Coughlan: —It was incredible, but it also scared me and I felt intimidated, because I think in conversations in previous seasons, for example we had a dance and we filmed a little, but then we left and the main story began.
It was definitely a big change knowing that you are the main story, but there were also personal things for me, like Pen taking center stage and me as an actress taking center stage. You definitely feel nervous and intimidated and feel the weight of responsibility of carrying the show on your shoulders. So I felt like, in many ways, I was accompanying her on that journey.
—And what I love is that in your case, Luke, like Nicola, your character is also going through a lot and evolves a lot. I mean, he comes from the street and he’s completely changed in a way. I wanted to know what elements you and Colin Luke used to build this character. I know the suit is different, I know there are many changes.
Luke Newton: —Yes, it was fun, in a way, figuring out Colin’s real changes and what the meaning of his return was. And he obviously he’s had this…worldly experience and he’s grown up and become a man. He has lived a kind of… I think the experience that his brothers had had, maybe not abroad, but within London and within his society.
And yes, it has grown quite a bit. But there’s also a kind of ego that comes with that and there’s a lot of pretense there where he thinks he has to be a certain way in order to survive, and actually that’s what, you know… It brings him back to Pen and helps him. to realize that you can be that kind, gentle, considerate person and still be a man. You don’t have to lose all those kind qualities in yourself to be an adult and be successful, happy, and content in life. So yeah, it was fun being the new version of Colin, he would say.
This is such a comfortable show… at least for me, for everyone, it’s so nice to watch. Everything is so beautiful. I love it. So I wanted to ask you guys if, besides Bridgerton, you have a comfort show or movie that you can watch over and over again when you’re feeling like, “Okay, I had a bad day, but I’m going to watch this movie because it makes me feel better.” ”.
Nicola Coughlan: —I always return to The Office, the American version of The Office. For me it doesn’t go out of style. And the fact that they made that series so consistently funny, for so many episodes for so many years is incredible. I love it.
Luke Newton: —We were laughing about that, things from The Office. I think that for me right now, my comfort series is Modern Family. It’s like… it’s so light and… Yeah, it’s my show of choice of the night. On a day like today, I order room service.
—I love it, and when you watch a show… I know you are friends in real life, so maybe you say to each other “you have to see this movie or that one.” “Did you see that she was nominated for an Oscar?” or something like that.
Nicola Coughlan: —I’m definitely the one telling him to see things. Yes. And I don’t know if… Have you seen Parks and Recreation?
Luke Newton: -Not…
Nicola Coughlan: “Luke!”
Luke Newton: —But I have an interesting story. You sent me a first kiss from a show that maybe we won’t name, but you told me “this is an amazing first kiss, it’s really iconic to me.” And “this could help us think about work.”
—What show was it? I need to know.
Nicola Coughlan: —Yes, it’s New Girl’s first kiss. Fascinates me.
—Yes, I’ve seen it like a thousand times, with him…
Nicola Coughlan: —Please, and the way he grabs her. That is to say…
—I love it, I love it as a reference. Thank you very much guys for your time. I really love this show, so congratulations on the third season.
Nicola Coughlan: -Thank you so much!
Luke Newton: -Thank you so much. A pleasure to meet you.
