Bridgerton fans are convinced there could be a real-life spark between Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton – despite both stars shutting the rumour mill down. So why is the internet still flooded with hopeful posts about their bond?

There’s no denying Brigerton’s Penelope and Colin have got fans hot under the collar – but is there a brewing relationship happening off-screen?

Their storyline has been so realistic it’s made Bridgerton fans wonder if there is a real connection between stars of the Ton, Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan. During interviews and public appearances, they have sent fans wild as people think there could be subtle hints of a blossoming romance.

The pair insist they’re just friends, however Netflix fans are still holding out hope as their on-set chemistry continues to seep into real life. During their press tour for season 3, Nicola was seen fixing Luke’s hair and brushing it up as they sat down to talk. In another clip, fans noticed as they walked down the red carpet together holding hands in an Australian premiere, with Luke even asking Nicola if she was doing okay.

Hopes were dashed this week when Luke was spotted holding hands with dancer Antonia Roumelioti following the Netflix series’ premiere in London. So why are fans still flooding the internet with frenzied posts about Luke and Nicola’s bond?

Their steamy scenes in Bridgerton seem to be extremely convincing and Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, even admitted they were her favourite to film. She said they were given free rein to do what felt right on set and has been praised for baring all in the second half of the season.

“We would be like, in between scenes, and they were like, ‘Do you wanna get up and put your clothes on?’ We’re like, ‘We’ll just chill here.’ Like, in under the blankets,” she said during an interview on SiriusXM Hits 1 in April and added: “But then we have the advantage of knowing each other for years.”

Nicola and Luke have done several interviews, fun videos, Q&A’s, challenges and apperances together, which has made the romance speculation rife online. One fan wrote on X: “Nicola took Luke to see her hometown she grew up in, introduced him to her family and friends, showed him her fave places to hang out in, and celebrated. THE INTIMACY OF IT ALL,” and a second wrote: “Throughout the whole promotion of #BridgertonS3, looking at Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton is like watching a romantic drama on its own. You cannot change my mind. They imply they are just friends and some said it just PR. For me, it basically a romance drama on its own.”

Intimacy expert Debbie Bere from So Divine believes the pair’s real-life close bond is what lent itself to the intimate scenes – and why fans simply can’t their their theories go. She said: “Bridgerton now in its third series has the benefit of a cast that has really got to know each other over the years of production.

“The current storyline of Nicola (Pen) and Luke (Colin) is one that seems to have hit more of a chord with the audience than normal. There’s something about an underdog but also the narrative of can a man and a woman ever just be friends that seems to grip people. Their friendship off-camera spills into filming too.

“We are told they had an intimacy coordinator but they directed much of their scenes themselves – see the carriage scene! Phwoar. Their comfort with themselves and each other as friends and actors perhaps lent itself well to these intimate scenes. I think that’s maybe why so much of the media are speculating as to whether in real life the actors are more than friends.”

Despite the frenzied speculation, they stars have repeatedly said they are just good friends. PEOPLE magazine reported that the pair are “supportive co-stars for each other” but “they are not dating”, according to a source close to the actors.