Nicola Coughlan to Reduce Role in Bridgerton Season 5 While Working on New Film and Hulu Series

In a recent interview with E! News, 39‑year‑old Irish actress Nicola Coughlan confirmed that she will step back from her recurring role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s period drama Bridgerton for its upcoming fifth season. While she will still appear, the actress said her screen time will be limited and the exact number of episodes remains undisclosed.

Coughlan’s decision comes as she balances two demanding projects. She is currently filming the sixth season of Hulu’s mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building, where she joins the core trio of Oliver, Mabel, and Charles as a recurring character. Simultaneously, she is promoting the fantasy adventure The Magic Faraway Tree, set for a U.S. release on 21 August 2026. “I feel very lucky to be working on both projects,” she told reporters, adding that she still enjoys returning to Bridgerton whenever possible.

The character of Penelope Featherington first appeared in the series’ debut season and quickly became a fan favorite. In season 4, she retired from her role as the high‑society gossip columnist Lady Whistledown after her public identity was revealed during her romance with Colin Bridgerton in season 3. Coughlan described her experience on the show as “incredible” and noted that her storyline is naturally winding down.

Season 5, currently in production, will pivot to Lady Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, and Michaela Stirling, portrayed by Masali Baduza. Set two years after the events of season 4, the new installment will explore a queer romance, marking the first time the series has centered on such a relationship. Showrunner Jess Brownell said the season will be “fuelled by big‑time yearning.” Although Bridgerton has been renewed for a fifth season, a release date has yet to be announced.

Coughlan’s reduced involvement follows her addition to the sixth season of Only Murders in the Building, where she appears as a recurring character. The Hulu series, which premiered its first season in August 2021, has been renewed for a sixth season that will shift the mystery to London. The new season will feature the core trio of Oliver, Mabel, and Charles as they investigate a murder in the city.

The Magic Faraway Tree is a fantasy adventure film directed by Ben Gregor and written by Simon Farnaby. The screenplay adapts Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree series. The film stars Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nonso Anozie, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, Jennifer Saunders, and Rebecca Ferguson. It opened in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2026 and will hit U.S. screens on 21 August 2026. On 14 May 2026, the production company announced that two sequels are in development and that filming will begin in 2027.

Coughlan said she will remain available for Bridgerton if the writers need her. “I’ll always pop back to ‘Bridgerton’ if they want me,” she added. The actress has previously received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her work in season 3 and a British Academy Television Award nomination for her role in Big Mood.

The decision to reduce her role aligns with the series’ pattern of evolving storylines. Earlier seasons saw other main characters, such as Phoebe Dynevor and Jonathan Bailey, step back after their arcs concluded. Bridgerton continues to adapt Julia Quinn’s novels, with each season focusing on a different book in the series.

In summary, Nicola Coughlan will appear in a limited capacity in Bridgerton season 5 while simultaneously working on a new film and a Hulu mystery series. The exact number of episodes she will feature in the upcoming season remains undisclosed, but the actress has confirmed her willingness to return if required.