Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton's Sweetest Moments: From Filming Bridgerton to Their IRL Friendship

Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton have a great relationship both on and off screen.

Bridgerton began its first season with the slow-burning rivalry between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page). The second season of the series focused on the romance between enemies and lovers between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley).

Coughlan and Newton are at the heart of the latest season Bridgertonwhich is based on the book Romantic Mr. Bridgerton, the fourth in a series written by Julia Quinn. This time, the show will follow the friend-to-lover relationship between their characters, Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton.

The Netflix hit from the Regency era is returning for a third season in two parts: the first four episodes will be shown on the streaming platform on May 16, 2024, and the last four parts on June 13.

How to read Bridgerton The books in order (and how they differ from the Netflix show!)

The series is best known for its spicy scenes, and the new part will not be an exception. Coughlan opened up to Tudum about the process of filming the intimate scenes, noting that she had filmed sex scenes before, “but not in Bridgerton time.”

“It’s really funny, because Luke and I have known each other for three years. We were joking at first [the inevitably of one together] all the time,” she explained. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to go into this with, and I have so much faith in Luke and I hope he has the strength in me to keep going.”

Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton and Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in ‘Bridgerton’.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

In June 2023, Coughlan teased the third season in an interview with PEOPLE, calling it “so romantic”.

“I think the first season was about passion, the second season was about longing, and the third season, I think, is all about romance,” she said. “There were a lot of times on set when we were shooting something and we’d turn around and everyone would be clutching their chests going ‘Oh my God.’ It was such a love.”

In front of something Bridgerton Season 3 release, here’s a look at Nicole Coughlan and Luke Newton’s cutest moments together as actors and friends.

Coughlan and Newton’s years of friendship have prepared them for the new season Bridgerton

Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton take a selfie.

Nicole Coughlan’s Instagram

Both Coughlan and Newton cited their longtime friendship as one of the reasons they were able to get through the process of filming their season Bridgerton.

They spoke with Good morning America in May 2024 about the series, and Newton told the outlet, “Can you imagine if one of us jumped out and it was someone new at the beginning of season three? It just wouldn’t be the same, and it also speaks volumes about the character’s journey.”

Coughlan added: “I think one of the most important things you can have is good communication and respect from each other, and we had that in abundance, fortunately.”

She noted that “there wasn’t much” that she and Newton didn’t really want to do, adding, “We’re like, go ahead. But it was just being in control. It helps so much that it ended up being a really nice experience.”

The duo also spoke with News Breakfast about the influence of their friendship on their performances in the last part.

“It sounds so sweet when actors say, ‘We really hit it off,’ but we really did,” Coughlan said. “I think any of us would really have a problem with being dishonest, but it’s just not in us.”

Newton said their relationship prior to filming Season 3 was “so fitting” for their characters’ storylines “because they’re friends to lovers so it just seemed like a perfect fit to be friends going into it.”

They have been “dance partners” for five years.

Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton pose for a photo.

Nicole Coughlan’s Instagram

Coughlan and Newton didn’t just share the screen during the show’s first two seasons.

The actress told Hey! News in May 2024 that she and her co-star were dance partners in the years leading up to Season 3, adding, “We had a certain level of physical comfort with each other, which helps immensely.”

Newton said it “felt natural” to bring their on-screen romance to life and noted that the two didn’t have to do much to “ignite” their chemistry.

“We just hit it off,” Coughlan interjected. “The first two seasons we had to hold back the chemistry. And then it was like when we were ready to release it, we said, ‘Here you go!’ ”

Newton emphasized that their history and friendship became an asset during the process of filming the series.

“You’d think shooting a scene like that with someone who’s your friend, who’s been your friend for like four years, would be a scary experience, but it was actually very encouraging,” he explained.

They broke the furniture while filming the sex scene

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton in ‘Bridgerton’.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt — or the equipment gets damaged.

Coughlan and Newton were asked by 7News Australia if it was true that the duo broke a piece of furniture while filming a passionate scene for the series. Without hesitation, the actress replied, “Hell yes we are.”

The Girls from Derry star shared that she was “terrified” before filming began, saying: “I think Luke and I have gone on such a journey together and we have such a good relationship, he’s such a great friend, that we could talk about and laugh about.”

Newton described the experience of filming the third season of the movie Bridgerton, especially the more powerful scenes with Coughlan, as a “really safe space”.

“There were moments where we could explore the scene and try it in different ways, and it ended up breaking pieces of furniture,” he revealed.

As for their reaction to the accidental damage, he said they both “just laughed it off” and said he hopes their heartfelt reaction will eventually make the final cut.

Coughlan supported Newton in his play

Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan pose for a photo.

Nicole Coughlan’s Instagram

Even outside Bridgerton, the duo encourage each other in their separate endeavors.

In June 2023, the costars caught up while Newton was in the midst of starring in a series of The shape of things in London’s West End.

Coughlan shared a photo of her posing next to him in a restaurant booth as they smile for the camera. She wrote a sweet message about him in the caption, “You’re crushing it on the London stage and I’m so proud, you’re the best @lukenewtonuk.”

He also recorded the video Bridgerton alum, Charithra Chandran, who played Edwina Sharma in the show’s second season.

They held hands at the presentation of the third season

Nicola Coughlan holds hands with ‘Bridgerton’ co-star Luke Newton at the Australian premiere on April 21, 2024.

James Gourley/Getty

Coughlan and Newton have been giving “Polina” fans plenty of content during press events leading up to the Season 3 premiere.

In April 2024, the duo were photographed holding hands on the red carpet at a launch event at Milton Park Country House in Bowral, Australia.

Within the event, Elle Australia shared a video in which Coughlan explains why it wasn’t hard for her to develop a deeper connection with Newton on screen.

“We’ve known each other for five years and people have asked, ‘What did you do to build chemistry?’ And I say: ‘Well, we just stopped suppressing it, and then it was good, we didn’t have to do anything,’ explained the actress.

At another event, Coughlan and Newton walked out of the building together. In a fan video shared on TikTok, he appears to reach out for her to hold and she joins their hands.

Despite the heartwarming moments, PEOPLE learned in May 2024 that Coughlan and Newton were “just friends.” A source close to the actors said that they are simply “supportive” of each other and are “not dating”.

Newton modeled the shirt for Coughlan

Luke Newton takes a selfie in a t-shirt designed by Nicola Coughlan.

Nicole Coughlan’s Instagram

Newton found a sweet way to support his friend through her activism efforts.

Coughlan collaborated with non-profit organization Choose Love on an exclusive T-shirt to raise money for displaced people and refugees around the world. The shirt features a design drawn by Coughlan herself, featuring a girl holding an umbrella with the words “Choose” as she rains the word “love”.

In October 2023, she shared a selfie of Newton wearing a T-shirt on Instagram. She captioned it in part: “I know you’ve been waiting and @chooselove’s newest model is here.”

“Thank you Luke for being the best and supporting this amazing charity that helps refugees in great need around the world,” she added.

They enjoy theirs Bridgerton experience together

Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan at the Netflix ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Premiere in New York City on May 13, 2024.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

In front of something Bridgerton season 3 debuting on Netflix, Coughlan and Newton reunited with their cast members for the premiere in New York.

On the red carpet, the actors posed with each other: Coughlan wore a white off-the-shoulder dress with peplum detail and a train. Meanwhile, Newton wore a red and black jacket and dark trousers with the addition of a watch.

Afterwards, Coughlan revealed how she and Newton felt about the dating rumors in response to their on-screen chemistry. Speaking with Extrathe actress shared how they appreciated everyone’s excitement.

“We think it’s really sweet … because we truly love each other,” she said. “He’s a really special person in my life and I got to have this experience with him. I’ll never be able to do something like this again, to this extent… It’s so nice to have such a wonderful friend to do all of this with.”

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Source: HIS Education