Who Is Nicola Coughlan’s Boyfriend? Inside Her Confirmed Romance With Jake Dunn And The Truth About Luke Newton Rumors

The world's gaze has been firmly fixed on Nicola Coughlan, the Irish actress who has captivated global audiences as Penelope Featherington in *Bridgerton* and Clare Devlin in *Derry Girls*. While her on-screen love life with Colin Bridgerton has dominated headlines, fans have been equally curious about who holds the key to her heart in real life. As of today, December 18, 2025, the mystery is officially over, with the star recently confirming her relationship with a fellow British actor, making their red-carpet debut a major talking point in the entertainment industry.

This deep dive will explore the confirmed romance that has taken the internet by storm, reveal all the essential details about her current partner, Jake Dunn, and finally put to rest the long-standing, fervent rumors surrounding her chemistry with her *Bridgerton* co-star, Luke Newton. Her dating history, though private, has been a source of intense speculation, but the latest updates provide a clear, fresh, and exciting picture of Nicola Coughlan's current relationship status.

Nicola Coughlan: A Full Biographical Profile

Nicola Mary Coughlan has become one of the most recognizable faces in modern television, celebrated for her versatility, humor, and powerful advocacy for body positivity and mental health awareness. Her journey from the stages of Ireland to global Netflix stardom is a testament to her enduring talent.

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• Full Name: Nicola Mary Coughlan
• Date of Birth: January 9, 1987
• Age: 38 (as of December 2025)
• Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland
• Hometown/Upbringing: Oranmore, County Galway
• Nationality: Irish
• Education: Studied English and Classical Civilisation at the National University of Ireland, Galway; trained at the Birmingham School of Acting and the Oxford School of Drama.
• Breakthrough Role: Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom *Derry Girls* (2018–2022).
• Most Famous Role: Penelope Featherington / Lady Whistledown in the Netflix period drama *Bridgerton* (2020–present).
• Other Notable Works: Hannah Dalton in *Harlots*, *The Great British Bake Off* (New Year's Special).

Confirmed Romance: Meet Nicola Coughlan’s Boyfriend, Jake Dunn

After years of maintaining a very private personal life, Nicola Coughlan’s relationship status is officially confirmed. Her current boyfriend is the British actor Jake Dunn, and their romance has quickly become a favorite among fans and media alike. The couple first sparked dating rumors in late 2024 and have since made their relationship public, much to the delight of "Polin" stans who were eager to see the star happy off-screen.

The Timeline of Nicola and Jake Dunn’s Relationship

The relationship between Nicola Coughlan and Jake Dunn transitioned from private speculation to public confirmation in a series of high-profile moments, cementing their status as a new celebrity couple.

• August 2024: Rumors first began to circulate after the two actors were spotted together at the All Points East festival in London.
• Early 2025: The couple was seen enjoying time together in London, fueling further speculation.
• February 12, 2025: Nicola Coughlan made the relationship "Instagram official" by posting a sweet birthday tribute to Jake Dunn on her Instagram Stories.
• Spring 2025: The couple made their official red-carpet debut together, attending a major event like the BAFTA Television Awards, confirming their romance to the world.

Who is Jake Dunn? A Look at Nicola’s New Partner

Jake Dunn is a rising star in the British acting scene, a talent who shares Nicola’s passion for performance. His profile is quickly growing, especially since his relationship with the *Bridgerton* lead became public.

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• Date of Birth: February 12, 2000.
• Age: 25 (as of December 2025).
• Hometown: Nottingham, England.
• Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
• Key Roles: Dunn is best known for his work in television. He played a series regular role on the BBC's teen thriller *Get Even* (2020), and he also stars as Thomas Blancheford in the Disney+ television series *Renegade Nell*. His portfolio also includes work with the Royal Opera House and Netflix.

Despite the notable age difference—Nicola being 38 and Jake being 25—the couple appears to be enjoying their new romance, often photographed looking comfortable and happy together during their London strolls.

Addressing the Co-Star Rumors: Luke Newton and Laurie Kynaston

Nicola Coughlan's on-screen chemistry with her co-stars has led to intense and persistent fan speculation about her dating life, particularly concerning her two most famous roles: *Derry Girls* and *Bridgerton*. The public’s desire for a real-life romance between her and her on-screen partners has been palpable, but Nicola has consistently set the record straight.

The Truth About Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton)

The relationship between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, affectionately dubbed "Polin," is the emotional core of *Bridgerton* Season 3. The palpable chemistry between Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton has led to widespread rumors that they are dating in real life. Fans have meticulously analyzed every shared glance, laugh, and public appearance, desperately hoping for a real-life romance.

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However, Nicola has been very clear in addressing and shutting down these persistent rumors. In multiple interviews, she has confirmed that her relationship with Luke Newton is strictly platonic, describing them as close friends.

• "Just Friends" Confirmation: Nicola has stated that while they have a "gorgeous" and supportive friendship, they are not dating.
• The Toll of Speculation: She has even spoken about the pressure and "toll" that the intense fan speculation has taken, with some viewers believing she was actively hiding a relationship with her co-star.
• Professional Chemistry: The actress attributes their seamless dynamic to their deep professional bond, which was crucial for portraying the central love story of the third season of the hit Netflix series.

The incredible on-screen chemistry between the two actors is a testament to their acting talent, not a secret romance. Luke Newton remains a very close friend and professional partner, but not Nicola Coughlan’s boyfriend.

The Laurie Kynaston Rumor

Before the *Bridgerton* phenomenon, Nicola was rumored to be dating another co-star from her first major hit, *Derry Girls*. The rumored boyfriend in question was actor Laurie Kynaston, who also appeared on the beloved Channel 4 sitcom.

• The Source of the Rumor: Reports surfaced around 2021 suggesting that Nicola and Laurie Kynaston were in a relationship.
• Privacy: Like many of her rumored relationships, details were scarce, and neither actor ever officially confirmed or denied the relationship, choosing to keep their personal lives out of the public eye.

While the Kynaston rumor was a brief period of speculation, the current, confirmed relationship with Jake Dunn is the only official romance that Nicola Coughlan has publicly shared with the world in recent years, allowing fans to celebrate her happiness as she continues her reign as one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood.