Summary
Bridgertonmay be Nicola Coughlan’sbiggest success to date, but there is another TV show she’s synonymous with, and it’s a must-watch for fans of the Irish-born actress. Coughlan currently stars inBridgertonas Penelope Featherington, a wallflower in society who chooses to wield a pen as a weapon to criticize the high and mighty as the elusive Lady Whistledown. Now, withBridgertonseason 3bringing Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope’s love story center stage, all eyes look to what is next for the actress. However, some of Nicola Coughlan’s best work lies further back in her career.
Nicola Coughlan’s acting career began in 2004 in the controversial short filmThe Phantom Cnutbefore moving to voice acting for the majority of her early career. Coughlan would begin to find on-screen success in 2018 in the British period dramaHarlotsbefore landing a role as a leading character in a TV show with an impressive 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes that would ultimately begin her rise to stardom. Though herBridgertonsuccess would reduce her role in the later season of this TV show,her appearance is still just as memorable.
Bridgerton’s Best Story Is A Reminder To Watch This Movie With 81% On Rotten Tomatoes From 29 Years Ago
As fans wait several more weeks to watch Bridgerton season 3 part 2, one 1995 movie could perfectly fill the vacuum.
Nicola Coughlan Is A Must-Watch As Clare Devlin In Derry Girls
Derry Girls Marked The Start Of Her Career Success
Before becoming a popular name withinBridgerton, Nicola Coughlan starred as Clare Devlin inDerry Girls. ThoughDerry Girlsonly had three seasons, its impact is undeniable, especially with its 99% score onRotten Tomatoes.Derry Girlsmixes ’90s nostalgia and hysterical ensemble comedyto create a show that views a major historical event through the eyes of teenagers, who do not know any different. This viewpoint lays a great foundation that setsDerry Girlsapart from other sitcoms that lack emotional grounding. Yet, peak writing and incredible performances makeDerry Girlsone of thebest British shows of all time.
Dylan Llewellyn
James Maguire
Coughlan’s contribution to the main ensemble as the nervous yet fiery Clare is an excellent addition to theDerry Girlscast. Though Clare could quite easily be confined to a stereotype as the smart friend who prefers to keep to the rules rather than break them, she is anything but.Clare defies her own expectations with her quick wit and unlikely rage, which makes Clare’s moments some of the best to watch. AlthoughCoughlan’s reduced appearance inDerry Girlsseason 3is a shame, Clare still manages to make a great impact in the series.
How Bridgerton’s Penelope Featherington Compares To Derry Girls’ Clare Devlin
They Are Both Similar Ages At The Start of Each Show
Though Nicola Coughlan was in her thirties when she first portrayedBridgerton’s Penelope Featherington andDerry Girls' Clare Devlin, the characters are both teenagers. Clare was 16 at the start ofDerry Girlsand 18 at the show’s conclusion, while Penelope was 17 in the first season ofBridgerton,andBridgertonseason 3 sees Penelope at 19. Clare and Penelope’s ages allow the characters to deal with things quite similarly, asthey are both teenage social outcasts who want to be a part of society. However, their historical standpoints and social background make the way they do this entirely different.
InBridgerton, Penelope is seen as a wallflower with few marriage prospects. Her family has wealth but struggles compared to families such as the Bridgertons. The scandals make things all the more damning for the life Penelope wishes to have. Therefore, Penelope resorts to using hersecret identity Lady Whistledownto tear down the very society she wishes to be a part of, damning them for both shunning her and also using her writing talents to assume a power that no one could expect from a wallflower such as her.
The confidence she gains from coming out allows Clare to reject the societal rules that have always bound her.
On the other hand, Clare acts as the voice of reason inDerry Girls. She is always the most likely to keep to the rules and follow exactly what is expected of her. She only breaks away from the mold if her friends do so or in periods of extreme stress. However,discovering her identity as a lesbian is a key moment in Clare’s character development. The confidence she gains from coming out allows Clare to reject the societal rules that have always bound her, letting her begin to explore who she is as a person and as a member of society.
Derry Girls Season 4: Is It Happening? Everything We Know
Derry Girls had a definitive ending with the season 3 finale, but here’s what has been said about Derry Girls season 4 and potential spinoffs.
Bridgerton & Derry Girls Are Very Different Shows (& Why That’s Great)
Their Historical Settings Perfectly Mirror Their Different Purposes
BridgertonandDerry Girlsboth have historical settings. Yet these different historical periods give a completely different vibe, making both of these shows as successful as they are.Period dramas likeBridgertonhave become a staple in film and television. However,Bridgerton’s take on the most romantic time period in British history, which mixes modern cultural relevance and removes the need for historical accuracy,allows the regency era’s romance to take center stagein swoon-worthy fashion.
On the other hand,Derry Girlsplays into the heart of nostalgia.Every aspect ofDerry Girlsappeals to a now adult audience who grew up in the 90s, with its stellar soundtrack, memorable scenarios, and impeccable fashion makingDerry Girls' surreal situations seem more personal and, therefore, funnier. The teenage leads are aware of the significance of the time period they’re living in, asDerry Girlsis set during the troubles in Northern Ireland, yet they don’t really understand it like their parents do, as it’s all they’ve ever known.
Thanks to these vastly different TV shows and their opposite goals,Nicola Coughlan is able to deliver two incredible yet greatly contrasting performances. WhereBridgerton’s Penelope is articulate and withdrawn,Derry Girls' Clare is chaotic and anxious.Bridgertongives Coughlan a chance to try her hand at romance in a highly sought-after genre, all while playing one of the most pivotal characters in the Netflix series. Meanwhile, Coughlan’s performance inDerry Girlsmakes Clare not only highly likable but absolutely hysterical, as her unlikely outbursts makeDerry Girlsa must-watch after seeing Coughlan’sBridgertonsuccess.
