Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan admits she didn't know if the Regency drama would be popular and says she was 'daunted' by her racy sex scenes as she takes the lead in season three

Nicola Coughlan has admitted she didn't know whether Bridgerton would be popular with viewers when she first joined the cast. Posing up a storm for a glamorous photoshoot, Nicola admitted it felt 'daunting' when she found out she would be season three's leading lady and feature in a string of racy sex scenes 'Luke and I are really good partners and we had a lot of trust in one another,' she told Marie Claire Australia. In the wide-ranging interview, Nicola also spoke about her rise to fame and insisted she wasn't an overnight wonder but worked hard throughout all of her 20s to secure her huge success The actress, 37, has taken centre stage as Penelope Featherington in the third series of the racy Regency drama, which follows her romance with Colin Bridgerton She finally got her big break at the age of 31 in comedy hit Derry Girls, but before that, had been working full-time in retail jobs while auditioning for theatre gigs and small film roles. Season three of Bridgerton landed on Netflix on Thursday morning, with the ending leaving fans begging for more The critics' view on Bridgerton series three The Independent Rating: Nick Hilton stated the Netflix period drama is 'losing its bite' but praised lead Nicola: 'Coughlan is a superb screen presence and has long been one of Bridgerton's strengths.' The first part of season three ends on a steamy cliffhanger as Colin eventually declares his love for Penelope after she was left heartbroken by Lord Debling Penelope admits she'd 'very much like to be more than friends' with Colin, and the pair kiss and share quite a steamy scene together, before a marriage proposal leaves viewers hanging As things heat up between them, they arrive at the Bridgerton house, and after Colin fixes Penelope's dress and hair, he steps down from the carriage and puts out his hand to Penelope to ask whether she's coming with him.