Ahead of the release of next month’s exciting return of Netflix period drama Bridgerton, the internet has been abuzz with excitement at the chance to see Penelope Featherington finally find the love she deserves. Yet while the youthful and radiant Penelope is just 19 years old in the third series of the show, fans at home are often shocked to learn that actress Nicola Coughlan is actually 37!

The Irish beauty, who made a name for herself in Channel 4’s smash hit comedy Derry Girls has often played roles several years her junior thanks to her flawless complexion – and many viewers at home have been none the wiser. In fact, it came as such a shock that several disbelieving fans recently took to social media to express their shock.

Nicola Coughlan plays 19 year old Penelope Featherington in the latest series of Bridgerton -Credit:LAURENCE CENDROWICZ/NETFLIX
One stunned fan wrote: “Nicola Coughlan is a brilliant actress – so hilarious in The Derry Girls. I was flabbergasted to learn that she is 37. I thought she was in her 20s!!”

While a second commented: “Nicola Coughlan is 37?!?! What the hell. I honestly thought she was one of those baby actors like Millie Bobby Brown.”

Meanwhile a third knowingly wrote: “Can tell the new Bridgerton viral tweet genre is going to be “Nicola Coughlan is 37!!!”

Yet while many fans are only just realising Nicola’s true age now, it isn’t the first time Bridgerton fans have picked up on the star’s true age, with several viewers also being shocked by the news two years ago when Season 2 was released.

Fans are often shocked to learn that Nicola is actually 37, almost 20 years older than the characters she often plays -Credit:WireImage
“Just started season 2 of Bridgerton and let me reiterate that Nicola Coughlan is 35 years old and convincingly playing a teenager. The power of using sunscreen and not constantly chasing thinness,” penned one fan.

With a second soon echoing: “’‘I’m so tired of 30 year olds playing teenagers well obviously you don’t watch Derry Girls, I want Nicola Coughlan to play a stressed out 16 year old until she’s 40!”

Teasing what lies ahead for her character this season, Nicola recently told Harper’s Bazaar: “In this season of Bridgerton, I reprise my role as Penelope Featherington. The major difference is that in the first two seasons, Pen was a supporting character, the oddball in the corner, but this time she’s very much centre-stage.”

Nicola Coughlan will be swapping her regency gowns for a more modern look at life in Channel 4’s Big Mood -Credit:Getty Images
Yet while this will no doubt come as a delight to many fans, it wasn’t without one very big drawback as she added: “The only issue with this is that ‘oddball in the corner’ is actually a niche I do very well. I’m comfortable there! Strange girl no one pays attention to? Where do I sign up?”

In addition to her role in regency romp Bridgerton, Nicola is also currently starring in Channel 4 Comedy Big Mood, which first hit the channel late last month. The show follows the journey of best friends Maggie (played by Nicola) and Eddie (played by Lydia West) who have lived in each other’s pockets for 10 years, through thick, thin; but with the rest of their lives looming, and Maggie’s bipolar disorder making an unwelcome return, Maggie and Eddie’s relationship faces an uncertain future.