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'Bridgerton' Star Nicola Coughlan Steps Out With Rumored Boyfriend
Nicola Coughlan's budding romance with Jake Dunn is the object of all our desires.
Indeed, two months after the Bridgerton star confirmed her relationship with the Renegade Nell actor on social media, the couple made their first red carpet appearance together April 24.
Nicola was the diamond of the season as she arrived at the BAFTA Television and Television Craft Nominees' Party in a black Carolina Herrera mini dress featuring a large tulle bow cascading down the back. Meanwhile, Jake complemented her look in an all-black ensemble with the collar of his white button-up shirt peeking out from the sweater.
The couple's latest appearance comes after the Derry Girls alum celebrated Jake's 25th birthday on her Instagram Story in February with a sweet tribute. Alongside a snap of her love's side profile, she simply wrote with a red heart emoji, "Happy Birthday."
But their romance has been the talk of the ton for some time after they were seen promenading through the streets of London in October after a night out. And in August, the 38-year-old was spotted cozying up with Jake during Mitski's performance at the All Points East festival.
While it's clear that Nicola only has eyes for one eligible bachelor, keeping her personal life private had Bridgerton fans wondering if she burned for a certain onscreen love interest. After all, she and costar Luke Newton—who confirmed his relationship with dancer Antonia Roumelioti in June—turned up the heat in season three.
However, the Big Mood actress put those rumors to rest.
"A lot of people really want me to marry Luke," she explained to TIME in October. "We have this gorgeous friendship. We have such a love for one another and this experience that I'll never have with someone else again. Isn't it gorgeous that a man and woman can have that sort of relationship with one another?"
Mike Marsland/WireImage
Although Nicola and Luke are only friends, the former revealed that it was their offscreen dynamic that helped them navigate their sex scenes.
"You'd think filming a scene like that with someone who's a friend," Luke told E! News last May, "who has been your friend for like four years, would be a daunting experience, but actually it was a reassuring one."
"It felt like a real safe space to explore these scenes and find new and interesting ways," he added. "The show is known for the steamy scenes, so we wanted to really encapsulate the Colin and Pen love story. Their humor, and all these different genres their relationship showcases."
Keep reading for a closer look at the love lives of Bridgerton stars.
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage
Nicola Coughlan
While Nicola's Penelope Featherington found love with Luke Newton's Colin Bridgerton on season three, Nicola herself has sparked romance rumors with Renegade Nell alum Jake Dunn.
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage
Sam Phillips and Bessie Carter
Lord Debling and Prudence Dankworth (née Featherington) may not factor into each other's love lives on the show, but the actors have made a real-life match.
And it appears that Carter's mum Imelda Staunton approves.
Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA
Phoebe Dynevor
Daphne Bridgerton swapped vows with Regé-Jean Page's Simon Basset, and now the Bridgerton alum plans to take her own stroll down the aisle.
Dynevor flashed her engagement ring from producer Cameron Fuller at the 2024 Met Gala.
Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA
Regé-Jean Page
The erstwhile Duke of Hastings, Page having left the show after season one, keeps his personal cards close to his vest off-camera, but has looked awfully happy in copywriter Emily Brown's company since 2021.
James Veysey/Shutterstock
Jonathan Bailey
Like Anthony, 9th Viscount Bridgerton, the English actor prefers to stay mum on romantic affairs.
But he told The Standard in December 2023 that he was in a not-secret-but-private relationship with a "lovely man."
"Having a private life is, for me, completely critical," the Fellow Travelers star said. "I don't know if I would be able to be as confident to speak out on other things if I felt that my whole life was up for grabs."
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Simone Ashley
The Sex Education star, who fit the Vicountess bill for Anthony upon arrival from India, confirmed she was in a relationship with Tino Klein with a March 2023 Instagram post. But in February 2025, the actress shared she had entered her "single era" in an interview on BBC’s Woman Hour podcast, revealing the split occured one month prior.
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Luke Thompson
Benedict Bridgerton seemingly just wants to be free to do his thing, as an artist and in the bedroom. Though maybe he's developing some feelings...
And Thompson, who's not one to share what he's up in real life, was totally onboard with his character's journey, wherever it took him.
"It's lovely to explore," he told Deadline ahead of the season three finale, "but also putting down some roots and choosing something or someone also has huge value and excitement."
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Luke Newton
Newton dated actress Jade Louise Davies—her sister Amber Davies won Love Island U.K. in 2017 with then-boyfriend Kem Cetinay—for several years.
But he was snapped following Bridgerton's June 2024 midseason premiere in London hand-in-hand with dancer Antonia Roumelioti.
Of course, most fans are just disappointed that Colin Bridgerton and Penelope aren't together in real life.
"We think it’s really sweet," Coughlan told Extra of the off-camera shipping that goes on for them. "I think because we truly love each other."
Simon Ackerman/WireImage
Charithra Chandran
The actress who plays Kate's sparkling sister Edwina Sharma may be single at the moment, but she sent hearts soaring with the release of her 2024 rom-com How to Date Billy Walsh, costarring her longtime friend Sebastian Croft.
Lia Toby/Getty Images
Claudia Jessie
It turns out the actress destined to play Eloise Bridgerton ended up falling for the non-actor she auditioned with, casting editor Cole Edwards.
"I got a job and a fella on the same day," Jessie told The Guardian in April 2024. "It was a great day for me, wasn't it?"
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