What Is Nicola Coughlan’s Natural Hair Color?

If you’re still swooning over “Bridgerton” season three, you’re not alone. The latest installment of the hit Shonda Rhimes period drama centers on the blossoming relationship between Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, and Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton. While witnessing the ultimate slow-burn romance between the two has been a treat, the glow-up Penelope has seen in terms of costume, hair, and makeup has rightfully bewitched us. In the series, the youngest Featherington sibling has signature copper-red curls that shine, whether worn down or woven together in an updo. While Penelope’s chic hairdos and meticulous styling might have convinced you that that is Coughlan’s natural hair color, that assumption is, in fact, far from the truth.

Surprisingly, the Irish actor was born with dirty-blond hair. Yes, that’s right. Her hair transformation for her “Bridgerton” character is thanks to realistic-looking wigs, which came with a hefty price tag. Erika Ökvist, the hair and makeup designer for the third season, told Allure that they used seven custom-made wigs specifically designed for Coughlan’s hairline, each costing between $8,000 to $8,500. Since Penelope undergoes a major transformation this season, these multiple variations of wigs help maintain a cohesive appearance for her character across the episodes. Additionally, it saved the actress a lot of time every day in the makeup chair, which is a win-win for the production team and Coughlan alike.

Though Coughlan kept her natural hair intact while filming “Bridgerton,” the actress isn’t a stranger to a makeover. For her role as Clare Devlin in the teen sitcom “Derry Girls,” Coughlan wore straight, bleach-blond hair with front bangs. In October 2022, the star debuted her strawberry-blond hair paired with a chic lob haircut. Not long after that, in July 2023, she surprised her fans with gingerbread-red hair, which closely resembles her “Bridgerton” counterpart. Other than this, she has also tried — and dazzled in — honey-beige blond in recent years.

Given how naturally she pulls off all her hairstyles and dyes, we simply can’t wait to see what she does with her hair next. In the meantime, take a closer look at Coughlan’s natural hair color below.

Ina Bansal is a contributor at PS, where she writes for the Beauty vertical.