Nicola Coughlan Subtly Stands Up for Bridgerton Costar Luke Newton Amid Fan Backlash

Dearest gentle reader: Nicola Coughlan has a few things to say about her Bridgerton costar, Luke Newton.

On June 14, the 37-year-old actor praised her scene partner in a gushing Instagram Story. Recently, Newton posted a series of red carpet photos after the release of the final episodes of season three. “Felt like celebrating the last 5 years,” he wrote to his 2.3 million followers. “Thanks for being such a big part of this wild journey.” Well, it seems Coughlan felt the 31-year-old actor deserved an appreciation post of his own…

Coughlan reposted his slideshow on her own Story, describing Newton as a “true gentleman,” “the kindest friend,” and a “dream costar.” Finishing everything off with a white heart emoji she continued, ”Couldn’t have been luckier than to spend the last 6 months travelling the world with you @lukenewtonuk what a ride!

Luke Newton has been facing the ire of some Bridgerton fans since he was photographed holding hands with rumored girlfriend Antonia Roumelioti following a Bridgerton screening after-party on June 12. While some fans have criticized the pair’s age difference or suggested Newton ruined the show’s PR strategy, it all seems to boil down to frustration that the actors playing Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton are not dating in real life despite their off-screen chemistry.

“I am speechless. What a refreshing SLAP to my face this morning,” one Polin shipper wrote in the comments of DeuxMoi’s Instagram post about the photo, while another replied, “Thanks for ruining the moment, I hope you are happy with this.”

Nicola Coughlan’s post didn’t address the backlash directly but her message was clear—and may not be the only way she showed her support for Newton. Not long before posting her Story, she also shared a particularly fitting clip from Bridgerton season three. (Warning: If you consider a quote to be a spoiler, turn back now.)