Actress Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope in Bridgerton, has shared her pride in her career transition while noting that it hasn’t altered her personal life.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Irish actress expressed her astonishment at the trajectory of her career.

“I’m in disbelief that I’m the leading lady in a romance show,” she remarked, discussing her return as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton.

Reflecting on her character’s evolution from a supporting role to the spotlight, she humorously acknowledged, “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 center stage.”

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?”

Despite her disbelief, she clarified, “It’s not because I find myself hideous, as some people have assumed when I say that (I’ll have you know, in the right lighting I’m a solid seven), but because it’s not something I ever dreamed of.”

Regarding her new leading role, she noted that she is not “intimidated,” but acknowledged that “when it rains terrifying, brilliant opportunities, it truly pours.”

Reflecting on her journey since her part-time work in an optician’s in 2017, she reflected, “I was completely kidding myself. Now, in 2024, I’m about to begin a global press tour for one of Netflix’s biggest ever shows. It’s hard for me to comprehend it.”