Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope Featherington is an essential part of the Bridgerton universe—even more so since her dramatic secret was revealed at the end of season one. And yet, while Bridgerton, the Netflix period piece based on Julia Quinn’s enormously popular novels, is unimaginable without Penelope’s upbeat charm and biting wit, the actress herself—who also stars in the ’90s-set comedy Derry Girls—was told during drama school that she’d never have a place in such a period piece.

“I was told, categorically, I would never do period drama,” the Galway-born actress revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. “They told me, ‘Your face is too modern.’ I have no idea to this day what that means.”

While she may not have expected to find success in the Regency-era, we hope she’s getting used to it, as the Emmy-winning Netflix show has already been renewed through season 4.

Production began on the show’s second season earlier this year, and according to Coughlan, it’s set to be even steamier and more scandalous than the first. “It’s got a whole lot spicier I will say. You definitely see more sides to [Penelope]. We find out at the end of season 1 [that she’s Lady Whistledown], that is there but we don’t get to explore it. But the world cracks open,” Coughlan told ET in September. “I feel like the Bridgerton world has grown and you’re going to see a lot more sides to her. She’s a sassy chick.”