Nicola Coughlan Responds to Trolls Who Believe Her Waist Was ‘Photoshopped’ on Bridgerton (Exclusive)

“I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really molds to it,” the actress says of Bridgerton’s Regency-inspired costumes

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Nicola Coughlan is setting the record straight when it comes to whether her waist was “photoshopped” or not on Bridgerton.

Coughlan — who plays Penelope Featherington on the hit Netflix series — tells PEOPLE the show’s Regency-inspired costumes sparked the social media speculation.

“I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really molds to it,” she explains of the show’s costumes. “Sometimes they come in a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I’m like, ‘Oh, you can go tight,’ and they go, ‘What do you mean?’ I’m like, ‘My body now will go whew.’” 

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“I saw some trolls. They were like, ‘They photoshopped your waist,’ and I was like, ‘No, they did not,’” she continues.

Luke Newton — who plays Colin Bridgerton on the series — says he’s “not complaining” about the men’s costumes but is still ready to put on more casual clothes when filming wraps.

“I don’t wear a corset, I don’t wear heels, but it really does change your posture, which feels good and it really helps with the character,” he says of his character’s waistcoats. “But then as soon as I’m off set, I want to be in the most comfortable outfit.”

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Earlier this week, Coughlan, 37, gave a cheeky response at a fan event in Dublin after she was told she was “very brave” for stripping down on the show. 

“You know, I think it is hard,” she shared in a clip posted on social media, “because I think women with my body type — women with perfect breasts — we don’t get to see ourselves on screen enough.”

“I am a very proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them,” she added.

The first part of Bridgerton season 3 is streaming now on Netflix and part 2 drops on June 13.