This Monday, “Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan was awarded the Commitment Prize by French media company Konbini at Canneseries, where she also gave a career talk. During the hour-long masterclass, the Irish actor spoke in depth about not only her work on shows like “Derry Girls” and “Doctor Who,” but also her support of causes such as abortion, trans rights, and Palestine.
“There is a factor of ‘it’s better if you say nothing’ because our job is to entertain you,” said the actor when asked about speaking in support of Palestine. “My dad was in the Irish Army, which is a peacekeeping force. My family lived in Jerusalem and Syria in the 70s, so it’s something that is in my bones. We are talking about right or wrong, about children being bombed in their beds. I wouldn’t accept that anywhere in the world.”
The actor, who was bestowed the award for being a “talent actively making a change well beyond television,” continued by highlighting how there has “always been a connection between Palestine and Ireland,” and that the two countries have “shared ideals and struggles.” “Any country in the world that was facing this, I would talk about it. It’s not difficult. For me, the killing of innocent people is never right.”
Coughlan also commented on her support of trans and queer people and the video she recently posted fundraising for trans-led charity Not a Phase following the UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of woman is based on biological sex.
“I feel like the rights of queer people have been chipped away for the last few years and this is a blatant move to take rights away from people,” she emphasized. “The ruling means trans women won’t be able to use the women’s bathroom, and the idea of trans women attacking women in bathrooms. The only time I have ever been made to feel scared has been by cis men. I have never been scared by a trans woman in my life.”
‘Bridgerton’ courtesy of Liam Daniel/Netflix
The actor also spoke on her initiative to fundraise, saying Not a Phase was going to have to close and cease their support of thousands of people due to the loss of corporate sponsorships, a result of “not [being] trendy to support trans people anymore.” “Because of the donations they received, they can keep supporting people,” she added, thanking those in the room who might have contributed to her crowdfunding.
Still on the matter, the actor said that being an ally is about letting yourself “be the buffer.” “It’s all fun to go to Pride, wave a flag, and watch ‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race,’ but are you going to be there for people when it’s awkward and uncomfortable?”
Coughlan, who was a judge on Season 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” recalled how the show came into her life at a time when she thought her career “wouldn’t happen.” “It was such a joy to me, so big and so different. It was really inspiring. I was having a crisis of confidence, and I watched these queens come out and how fierce they were. If I could take a little bit of that and think about the characters that way… As an actor, you have to have that confidence.”
She also remarked upon the recent death of former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” participant Jiggly Caliente, saying she is “so sad” about the performer’s untimely death. “She made me laugh so much, she was incredible.”
Coughlan just landed her first BAFTA nomination for her role in “Big Mood,” created by her longtime friend Camilla Whitehill. “I never got to play anyone like her before, because she is quite cool, in a way. It’s a comedy that morphs into a drama. It bends the genre. She’s difficult, she’s funny.”
The actor is “so excited” about making a second season of the show, although she was much coyer about other future projects. On top of shooting “Bridgerton” season 4 and preparing for “Big Mood” season 2, Coughlan said she has a big new project announced tomorrow, but has not revealed further details. “You have to wait less than 24 hours,” she teasingly told the enthusiastic audience. We shall see.
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