Nicola Coughlan has shot to international stardom for her role as Penelope Featherington in hit Netflix series Bridgerton. Coughlan and co-star Luke Newton have set hearts racing during Season 3 of the much-loved series.

The duo appeared fully nude in what many fans are calling Bridgerton’s raciest scene ever. The friends-to-lovers storyline bared all in the second half of the season, and even engaged in a six-minute-long sex scene.

It’s not the first time the Galway native’s acting has been risqué. Aside from playing the endearing, teenage schoolgirl, Clare, in Derry Girls, a ‘wee lesbian’ trying to navigate life in the aftermath of The Troubles, Coughlan has opted for more daring roles, namely her role as Hannah Dalton in Amazon Prime drama Harlots which aired in 2017.

The British period drama focuses on Margaret Wells, a brother-owner in 18th century London who, to provide a better future for her daughters, extends her business to a rich clientele in a move that lands her in hot water with ex-employer, Lydia. The series has been hailed as “binge-worthy” and Coughlan’s performance “top notch”

One fan left a glowing review on IMDb, writing: “This programme is so much better than I thought it would be.. I don’t usually like full on sex scenes, but because of the subject matter it doesn’t seem gratuitous.

“It’s actually a very fascinating insight into 18th Century England, and seems that it was a very complicated lifestyle to live in a brothel as well as dangerous. I’m enjoying it. Give it a go.”

Another raved: “Sex. Drinking. Swearing. Romance. Comedy. Tear-inducing drama. I’m totally in love with this series. Chock full of thoroughly loveable characters and equally detestable characters. The whole cast are outstanding.”

Other box fanatics hailed the series as “Oscar-worthy” and compared even compared it to Peaky Blinders standards. They went on: “Easily as good as Peaky Blinders, which is high praise indeed from an avid watcher.

“The characters seem to develop well and the casting is excellent… and a superb supporting cast brings the piece to life,” while another stan concluded: “The costumes are above Oscar calibre. Sheer perfection in every way.”

Coughlan regularly posted her Harlots finery on Instagram, including video montages of her getting “fully Harlotted” by hair and make up. At the time, she said: “I’m so proud to be part of this show and so excited for you to see it.”