Nicola Coughlan
ActingAbout Nicola Coughlan
Nicola Mary Coughlan is an Irish actress. She is known for her roles as Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls and Penelope Featherington in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton. She earned a Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination for playing the lead role of Penelope Featherington in the third season of Bridgerton. Coughlan earned a British Academy Television Awards nomination for her role as Maggie Donovan in Big Mood (2024–present). Coughlan was born on 9 January 1987 in Galway, Ireland, and grew up in Oranmore. The youngest of three siblings, her father served in the Irish Army before passing away in 2016, and her mother was a stay-at-home parent. At the age of five, while watching her sister perform in a school play, Coughlan decided she wanted to become an actress. She attended Scoil Mhuire Primary School and Calasanctius College. She graduated with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She then went on to train in England at the Oxford School of Drama and Birmingham School of Acting.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Nicola Coughlan reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 13 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Nicola Coughlan's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 31% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Nicola Coughlan remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Dodger Special: Coronation, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Nicola Coughlan Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Nicola Coughlan's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Nicola Coughlan.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | National Theatre Live: The Playboy of the Western World | Pegeen Mike | Flop | Similar → |
| 2026 | The Magic Faraway Tree | Silky | Flop | Similar → |
| 2026 | GOAT | Olivia Burke (voice) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2024 | Seize Them! | Humble Joan | Flop | Similar → |
| 2023 | An Audience with Kylie | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Dodger Special: Coronation | Queen Victoria | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | The Velveteen Rabbit | Playroom Fairy (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Barbie | Barbie | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Svengali | Club Girl | Flop | Similar → |
| 2012 | Ivan the Incredible | Lottie -English (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Summer of the Flying Saucer | Janis Voice | Flop | Similar → |
| 2004 | The Phantom Cnut | Katie | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | My Brother's War | Little Girl | Flop | Similar → |
Nicola Coughlan - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Nicola Coughlan?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Nicola Coughlan is "Dodger Special: Coronation" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Nicola Coughlan acted in?
Nicola Coughlan has been featured in at least 13 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Nicola Coughlan?
Other notable films include "The Velveteen Rabbit", "Barbie", and "An Audience with Kylie".