Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley Defends Nicola Coughlan amid Physique-Shaming Criticism

Simone Ashley is standing up for her pal and Bridgerton costar Nicola Coughlan.

Throughout a press convention on the Monte-Carlo Tv Competition in Monaco on June 15, Ashley, 29, addressed the unlucky body-shaming that Coughlan, 37, has confronted from some critics as her character, Penelope Featherington, stepped into the highlight in season 3 as one half of the Netflix collection’ central love story reverse Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton).

“Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I feel we are able to all relate to that, however I actually do not assume that she’s permitting that to trouble her,” Ashley mentioned of Coughlan, noting that her costar has extra optimistic issues to concentrate on. “She has a powerful and fruitful profession and full life forward of her. And I actually consider in her, because the world does as properly.”

Ashley, who performs Kate Bridgerton (née Sharma) within the collection, went on to sing the Derry Women star’s praises.

“I feel Nicola is simply completely flying,” she mentioned. “She is a beautiful, robust, assured, clever lady, seeing her do that press tour and unfold a lot pleasure and inspiration to everybody — particularly ladies — everywhere in the world.”

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“And I am impressed by her as properly,” Ashley added. “She’s additionally a very variety human being, and I feel that is such a common language that folks can relate to.”

Earlier this month, Coughlan hit again at on-line claims that her waist was “photoshopped” in Bridgerton.

“I noticed some trolls. They have been like, ‘They photoshopped your waist,’ and I used to be like, ‘No, they didn’t,’ ” she instructed PEOPLE, explaining that the present’s Regency-inspired costumes fueled the hypothesis.

“I feel when you put on corsetry for lengthy sufficient, your physique actually molds to it,” Coughlan defined of her character’s costumes. “Generally they arrive in for a becoming for a dressmaker they usually put a corset on me and I am like, ‘Oh, you may go tight,’ they usually go, ‘What do you imply?’ I am like, ‘My physique now will go, ‘Whew.’ ”

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Days earlier, throughout a fan occasion in Dublin, Coughlan cheekily responded to a viewer’s remark that she had been “very courageous” for stripping down for her extra intimate scenes with Newton, 31, within the collection.

As seen in a clip posted on social media, she responded, “You recognize, I feel it’s arduous, as a result of I feel ladies with my physique kind — ladies with good breasts — we do not get to see ourselves on display sufficient.”

“I’m a really proud member of the proper breasts group, and I hope you take pleasure in seeing them,” she added.

As for Ashley, she revealed on the Monaco pageant that she hopes she and Jonathan Bailey — who portrays her character’s husband, Anthony Bridgerton — will be capable to reprise their roles in Bridgerton’s fourth season. The pair’s courtship and marriage have been the main focus of season 2.

“Each Johnny and I, we love our characters, Kate and Anthony, a lot and their relationship and what they imply for the present,” Ashley instructed PEOPLE. “I feel we’ll do all we are able to with our schedules to make it work in order that we are able to, hopefully.”

The actress beforehand instructed PEOPLE at Bridgerton‘s New York Metropolis premiere that she and Bailey, 36, provided their assist to Coughlan and Newton as they turned first-time leads — “simply there to be sure that that they had somebody, that that they had a pal.”

“Me and Nicola would test in on one another,” the Intercourse Schooling star added. “She is such an inspiration to me and I discovered a lot from her, and there have been instances she was giving me recommendation.”