Is Nicola Coughlan Officially Dating Her 'Bridgerton' Co-Star Luke Newton?

Navigating the glittering yet scrutinized landscape of celebrity culture can prove to be a tightrope walk, especially when it comes to the realm of personal relationships. Nicola Coughlan, a gem in the crown of contemporary television with her standout roles in Bridgerton and Derry Girls, has intrigued the public not just with her on-screen prowess but also with the enigmatic aspects of her off-screen life.

Her captivating performances have drawn a legion of followers, eager to know not only the minutiae of her craft but also the details of her personal life — particularly, her dating history. Nicola, with her blend of wit and warmth, has managed to maintain a veil of privacy over her romantic life, a stark contrast to the vivid social explorations of love by her characters. But, what is Nicola Coughlan's dating history?

Nicola is incredibly private with her public relationships. Per the Mirror, Nicola was previously reported to be dating actor Laurie Kynaston, who appeared in Season 2 of Derry Girls, but otherwise she has not been publicly linked to anyone.

While talking with Marie Claire in 2023, Nicola was asked if she'd prefer to date a modern-day boyfriend or a period-era boyfriend. Nicola responded with, "I think nowadays they smell better. That's what I always think about the past … we think of it as so romantic and lovely, but then there was no personal hygiene."

Additionally, Nicola was asked if she has any red flags when it comes to dating. Nicola said, "When guys want to do a joker impression. Just don't … do that. That's just an immediate ick and it's never good. I know that's very specific."

Rumors began flying around about Nicola and Luke dating after the two embarked on a press tour in spring 2024 for Season 3 of Netflix's Bridgerton. On the red carpet, Luke and Nicola were spotted holding hands, which only added fuel to the online rumors.

In an interview Nicola did with Extra TV in May 2024, Nicola confirmed that she isn't dating Luke Newton. She shared, "We think it’s really sweet, I think because we truly love each other. He is a really special person in my life. I’ll never get to do something like this again, on this scale."

That same month, Luke told Refinery29, "There's something that just bonds you when you do this show with someone. When you lead the show, you're in every day together. Any time that felt difficult or I was struggling with it — whether it was the schedule or the hours or jumping from episode to episode — I just felt reassured in the fact that Nic was going through the same experience and coping with it really well."

Nicola agreed with Luke's statement in the same interview, saying to Luke, "I don't have a relationship like anyone in my life like I have with you."