Bridgerton lead star committed to supporting Palestine during Israel-Hamas war
Nicola Coughlan attends the "Bridgerton" Season 3 launch on the grounds of Milton Park Country House on April 21, 2024 in Bowral, Australia. Stars of the show Nicola Coughlan ("Penelope Featherington"), Luke Newton ("Colin Bridgerton") and Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell
Nicola Coughlan, known for her roles in the popular TV shows Derry Girls and Bridgerton, has become increasingly known for supporting Palestinian rights and discussed the potential repercussions of her stance on Palestine while working in the entertainment industry in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Coughlan explained how she had received warnings about the effect her pro-Palestinian stance would have on career prospects, saying, "You do get told, 'You won't get work.'" However, Coughlan has remained firm in her pro-Palestinian stance.
"Deep down, if you know that you’re coming from a place of ‘I don’t want any innocent people [in Gaza] to suffer,’ then I’m not worried about people’s reactions," Coughlan explained.
Supporting Palestine during the Israel-Hamas war
Coughlan's commitment to supporting Palestine during the Israel-Hamas war led her to be one of over two thousand signatories of the Artists for Palestine letter, which was a letter signed by celebrities that called for a ceasefire and accused Western governments of aiding and abetting what they described as war crimes.
PHOEBE DYNEVOR stars as Daphne Bridgerton in ‘Bridgerton,’ a TV show primarily dedicated to the premise that the British aristocracy schemed and lied in order to marry for money. (credit: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)
PHOEBE DYNEVOR stars as Daphne Bridgerton in ‘Bridgerton,’ a TV show primarily dedicated to the premise that the British aristocracy schemed and lied in order to marry for money. (credit: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)
Coughlan elaborated on her belief that the Palestinians in Gaza should be supported in her interview with Teen Vogue.
"To me, it always becomes about supporting all innocent people, which sounds oversimplified, but I think you’ve got to look at situations and just think, 'Are we supporting innocent people no matter where they’re from, who they are?' That’s my drive," Coughlan said.
Coughlan's background
The feature also touched on Coughlan's connection to global conflicts, which was influenced by her family who lived in Jerusalem before she was born, and her father's experiences in various war-torn regions.
Coughlan has continued with her role in the hit series Bridgerton despite her controversial views. In the third season, she will go from a secondary character to a central figure.