‘Boring’: Nicola Coughlan Rejects ‘Body Positivity’ Label, Opens Up About ADHD Diagnosis

Nicola Coughlan, the Irish actress known for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton, has spoken candidly about her disinterest in the concept of “body positivity” and the relief she’s found since receiving her ADHD diagnosis.

Discomfort with Body Positivity Discourse

In a recent interview with Elle UK, Coughlan, 39, expressed her frustration with the focus on her body size. “The thing I say sometimes that pisses people off is I have no interest in body positivity,” she stated. She explained that growing up, she never considered actors’ bodies, and therefore doesn’t understand the current emphasis on it. “When I was a kid growing up, I never thought about that. I didn’t seem at actors and think about their bodies. So, I actually don’t care.”

Coughlan noted that despite being a size 10, she is often categorized as a “plus-size” actress, a label she finds tiresome. She recounted an uncomfortable encounter with a fan who fixated on her body, saying, “I seek to die. I hate this so much.” She emphasized that her operate is what should be valued, not her physical appearance. “It’s really hard when you work on something for months and months of your life… and then it comes down to what you look like – it’s so f****** boring.”

ADHD Diagnosis Brings Understanding

The actress too shared how receiving an ADHD diagnosis has provided her with a greater understanding of herself. “It feels like I got the handbook to my brain that I wasn’t given when I was born,” Coughlan said. “I understand things a bit better now, and I give myself a little more grace.”

Career Highlights

Nicola Coughlan first gained recognition for her role as Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls (2018–2022). She is currently starring as Penelope Featherington in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton (2020–present), earning a Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination for her performance in the third series. She also appeared in the 2023 film Barbie and received a British Academy Television Award nomination for her role in Channel 4’s Big Mood.

Coughlan appeared in a National Theatre production of The Playboy Of The Western World alongside her Derry Girls co-star Siobhan McSweeney.

The full interview with Nicola Coughlan is available in the April issue of Elle UK, on sale March 10th.