Nicola Coughlan confirms romance with Renegade Nell actor Jake Dunn as 'besotted' couple are spotted...

Nicola Coughlan Confirms Romance With Jake Dunn

Posted: 12:58 AM BST, October 26, 2024 | Revised: 1:09 AM BST, October 26, 2024

Using a dating app as one of the most well-known women in the world isn't exactly the best situation.

That’s why Nicola Coughlan relied on her Derry Girls co-star and good friend, Louisa Harland, to take on the role of matchmaker and help her find a partner.

At 31, Louisa made the perfect match when she connected the 37-year-old Bridgerton actress with her close friend and fellow Renegade Nell star, Jake Dunn.

After keeping their growing relationship under wraps for several months, Nicola and Jake, both 24, officially acknowledged their romance on Wednesday evening when they were seen walking home together, hand in hand, after a night out at a pub in North London.

Friends of the couple shared with MailOnline, "They are completely smitten with each other and really enjoy their time together. Even with their hectic schedules, they've integrated seamlessly into each other's lives, especially since they have a large circle of mutual friends."

Nicola Coughlan and Jake Dunn officially acknowledged their relationship on Wednesday evening after they were seen walking home together, holding hands, following a visit to a pub in North London.

Nicola was seen cozying up to the star of Renegade Nell while they strolled home together.

Jake, who completed his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama last year, has worked on projects alongside Louisa Harland and Dylan Llewellyn, Nicola's fellow actors from Derry Girls.

Similar to Nicola, the actor from London has appeared in a historical drama, Disney's Renegade Nell, alongside Louisa.

The source mentioned that after the conclusion of Derry Girls, Nicola, Dylan, and Louisa continued to be very close friends, consistently backing each other in their professional endeavors. Therefore, it was natural for Nicola to meet Jake.

During his time at drama school, Jake landed a role in Channel 4's "Big Boys," where he starred alongside Dylan. The show was created by Jack Rooke, a good friend of Nicola's.

The group of friends strongly backs each other's endeavors and can frequently be seen spending time together in North West London, where Nicola owns a home in the fashionable Stoke Newington neighborhood.

In September, Jake shared an Instagram photo of Jack, who is 31, at a bar. Jack was sporting a baseball cap that said "Nicola Coughlan," along with a t-shirt that featured the phrase, "And her perfect breasts."

Louisa was seen sporting a baseball cap that said "Shady Whistledown," a reference to Jake's girlfriend's character, Penelope Featherington, from Bridgerton, who is known for her secretive persona as Lady Whistledown.

Nicola and Jake were seen walking home from the pub, with their arms wrapped around each other.

The pair was captured sharing a sweet moment as they strolled hand in hand during a warm outing at an Irish pub.

In the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, Nicola plays the role of Penelope Featherington, who is revealed to be the enigmatic Lady Whistledown.

The couple was initially seen together back in March when they appeared in an Instagram story posted by one of Jake's co-stars from Renegade Nell.

In August, the couple was spotted at the All Points East festival in London, enjoying the music with their arms around each other while dancing, although it wasn't officially stated that they were in a relationship.

MailOnline has uncovered that the couple has had a great summer surrounded by their close friends, going to festivals, sipping Guinness, and playing Scrabble at Nicola's neighborhood pub in Stoke Newington.

Two weeks ago, the pair was seen in New York attending a recording of the late-night comedy show SNL. One observer remarked, "Her boyfriend stood next to her with pride as fans kept approaching her excitedly."

Although the 37-year-old Irish actress from Galway has been in the acting scene for more than a decade, gaining recognition with her role in the Channel 4 series Derry Girls, Jake has just graduated from drama school.

However, the charming British actor landed the main part in a Disney series called Renegade Nell, which led to the approval of a second season centered on him. He also took on various theater productions, appeared in a Netflix series, and worked on a feature film—all while attending drama school.

Jake is quickly becoming a prominent figure in the industry and has a number of well-known friends, such as Ellie Bamber from The Trial of Christine Keeler and Connor Swindell from Sex Education.