The actress Nicola Coughlanknown for her role as Penelope Featherington in Bridgertonthe successful series of Netflixhas responded to speculation on social media about whether her waist was “photoshopped” for production. Coughlan clarified that the appearance of his figure in the show is due to the use of corsetrya common practice in the Regency era that influenced the shape of the body.
In an exclusive interview with People, the star explained: “I think if you wear corsets long enough, your body really molds to it.”. The actress reveals that, sometimes, during wardrobe adjustments, she surprises the designers with her body’s ability to adapt to the garment: “Sometimes they come in for a fitting and they put me in a corset and I’m like, ‘Oh, you can tighten it up more.’, and they say, ‘What do you mean?’ I tell them, ‘Now my body can handle more pressure’”.
Coughlan, 37, also addressed negative comments on social media suggesting her waist was digitally altered. “I saw some negative comments from trolls. They said, ‘They photoshopped your waist,’ and I said, ‘No, they didn’t.'”the star with the red “N” categorically denied the rumors about her figure.
For his part, Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton in the series, shared his experience regarding men’s costumes of the time, pointing out that these can contribute to the interpretation of the character. “I’m not wearing a corset, I’m not wearing heels, but it really changes your posture, which feels good and helps a lot with the character.”Newton said. “But then as soon as I leave the set, I want to put on more comfortable clothes,” he added.
At a fan event in Dublin, Coughlan jokingly responded to a comment about her bravery in showing herself in more intimate scenes in the new season of the series: “I know it’s difficult because I think that women with my body type, women with perfect breasts, we don’t see ourselves enough on screen.”. The actress added humorously: “I am a very proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them.”
The phenomenon of Bridgerton Not only has it conquered viewers with its plot and setting, but it has also generated debates about beauty standards and the representation of various body types in the media. The series’ focus on the fashion and customs of the Regency Period has highlighted the influence of dress on the perception of the female and male figure.
Luke Newton, who plays Colin in the show, revealed details about the long-awaited intimate mirror scene with Nicola Coughlan, saying: “I remember my focus was on supporting Nic and making sure she felt comfortable on set and in that environment.” Newton highlighted the trust and care for each other during filming, adding that they are happy with the result: “I think we stayed true to the story.”
Nicola Coughlan also shared her perspective on her relationship with Newton, comparing it to that of her characters in the series: “Penelope and Colin’s experiences of finding their way… was like when Luke and I went from being scene partners… to our working relationship growing exponentially during filming.”. Coughlan expressed gratitude for the friendship and collaboration over three seasons.
The use of corsetry and other historical costume elements in productions such as Bridgerton has been the subject of analysis and criticism, especially with regard to the realistic representation of the characters’ bodies. However, Coughlan and Newton’s statements offer a view from inside the production, explaining how these elements contribute to the construction of the characters and the atmosphere of the story.
The release of the first part of the third season of Bridgerton is now available in Netflixwhile the second part premieres on June 13th.
