Nicola Coughlan has revealed Bridgerton is set to be saucier than ever as she blushed over the show’s racy scenes – after she admitted she was ‘terrified’ to film sex scenes.

The actress, 37, stars as Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix series, and appeared on Thursday’s This Morning to discuss the upcoming season.

While chatting to Cat Deeley and Ben Shepard, Nicola said her raunchy sex scenes in the bonkbuster felt very awkward to begin with.

But because she has now known her on-screen lover Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, for four years, she revealed that they eventually became comical for her.

Dressed in a stunning grey suit and white vest, the Derry Girls star said: ‘I think we’ve won the sauciness for this series!’

To which Ben responded: ‘So you have been having your fair share of steamy sex scenes in this one?’

Nicola laughed and said ‘yes’ before Ben quizzed her on how she gets around having sex on screen.

She responded: ‘It is really nerve-wracking, but thankfully, I’ve known Luke for four years, and he is a super nice guy.’

Clearly interested in the topic, Ben then asked her if it ever gets easier.

She said: ‘It is worse in the beginning and then better in reality because we can have a laugh about it. It was quite liberating and it was quite fun to do.’

‘We have a lot of say in what we want to do as well’, she added.

She has replaced Simone Ashley as Bridgerton‘s leading lady and like her predecessor will appear in a number of steamy and risqué sex scenes.

Nicola revealed that she was left ‘terrified’ of filming the intimate moments with co-star Luke Newton – because she is an Irish woman.

The third series, in which part one will air on May 16, and second part on June 13,  will see Penelope pursue Colin.

As Irish women have been stereotyped with a reputation of being prudish, Nicola told the Six O’Clock Show that she originally thought she couldn’t do the steamy scenes.

While chatting to Cat Deeley and Ben Shepard, Nicola said her raunchy sex scenes in the bonkbuster felt very awkward to begin with

+6
View gallery

Dressed in a stunning grey suit and white vest, the Derry Girls star said: ‘I think we’ve won the sauciness for this series!’

‘I am so excited, I can’t wait,’ she said. ‘It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Luke Newton who plays my love interest is so wonderful.

‘And even my wig has been upgraded. This season is really funny and romantic, they’ve incorporated a lot of rom com elements.

‘And it’s not one to watch with the family. Take of that what you will. It was terrifying. I am an Irish woman, and any Irish woman would feel like they can’t do this.

‘And then I went and realised, it’s my job so I better. I had a great partner, and it was terrifying, but really liberating. I was exhausted by the end.’

The third series of the hit regency romance, which follows the eight Bridgerton siblings attempting to find love, will pick up with Penelope and Colin’s love story.

Speaking on the One Show on Wednesday night, Nicola said the romance scenes made her ask for a PG version for her parents to watch.

‘It’s a very action packed season,’ she said. ‘I got to see some last night and I was bouncing off the walls with excitement.

‘She (Penelope) did her time, she’s waited, it’s about time for Penelope.

‘I asked for a PG version for my family because I’m not doing that. Also now having seen it last night, I’m really not doing that.

‘Watch with your mum if you want, I won’t be watching it with mine. I’ll have to get her a separate Netflix account.’