"Every actor who supports a cause takes a risk": Nicola Coughlan, who won the Canneseries Engagement Award, treated her fans to a masterclass

A petite 38-year-old woman, Nicola Coughlan shook up Canneseries on Monday, April 28.

Honored with the Engagement Prize awarded by Konbini on the stage of the Palais des Festivals in the early evening, she took advantage of her crazy day in Cannes to give a Masterclass, hosted by journalist Delphine Rivet, as well as leave her footprints to adorn, in the future, the path of stars around the Palais.

In a bright green dress reminiscent of her native Ireland, the actress from Derry Girls , but especially from the hit Netflix series Bridgerton , is one of those artists who draws crowds.

You should have seen the impressive team surrounding her every move, as well as the fans gathered to capture a moment or get an autograph.

The Jean Mineur Auditorium, where his masterclass, lasting over 50 minutes, took place, was stormed by fans, all of whom were behind his cause.

Committed actress

Looking back on her young career, it's no surprise to see Nicola Coughlan receive the Konbini Engagement Award, which recognizes those who make the series and who strive, both in front of and behind the camera, to reflect a changing world.

Laurie Nunn, creator of Sex Education , the cast of Skam France , Joey Soloway and Michaele Jae Rodriguez are among the past winners.

Reaching out to others is second nature for the native of Galway in Ireland, a town dear to Michel Sardou in The Lakes of Connemara .

Five years ago, she auctioned off a dress worn on stage, for which some theatre critics had been mean and clumsy enough to mock her for its generous curves.

The €5,000 raised will then be donated to LauraLynn Hospice, an Irish children's hospice that provides palliative care and specialist support services.

In the process, she spoke out and launched actions to demand the decriminalization of abortion in Northern Ireland, but also fought to find funds to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Say it out loud...

"Every actor who supports a cause takes a risk," she confesses. " You're often advised not to take a position, but my father worked for the UN for a long time, he traveled, he was in Syria, in Jerusalem, I was raised in this way, and where I come from, in Ireland, we were often made aware of the Palestinian cause. What's happening in Palestine right now, no one would accept anywhere else in the world. I actually wear a badge because I'm in favor of a permanent ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and the opening of the enclave to let in international aid."

These are direct, frank words, and they truly reflect someone who defends tooth and nail many causes, including that of LGBT people.

Big fan of reality TV

A fan of reality TV, particularly Married at First Sight and The Real Housewives , the actress's social commitment does not prevent her from being perfectly connected to the real world.

" I'm a fan of Drag Race and, during lockdown, I invented a character that I called Kylie Gender, in homage to Kylie Jenner," she laughs.

Having appeared in Greta Gerwig's Barbie and the series Big Mood , which has not yet been broadcast in France but for which she was nominated for a BAFTA, Nicola Coughlan is enjoying her first trip to Cannes: "I came with my mother, she's everywhere with me, she was also present at the BAFTAs since she was able to meet Andrew Scott and take a selfie with him. (laughs)"

It's hard to remain indifferent to the strength of character of this 5'11" young woman. Star of a globally successful series - Bridgerton - Coughlan uses the show's custom-made dresses to redefine her relationship with fashion.

"Over time, I've learned one thing: you have to put the corset on at the last minute, even if I'm able to take a nap, standing up, once I've put it on," she concludes before reassuring her fans about the next season, the fourth, which should soon arrive on the platform.