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Doctor Who newcomer Nicola Coughlan has joked that it's 'really lovely' to star in a 'family-friendly' show for once after taking the lead in bonkbuster Bridgerton earlier this year.
The actress, 37, took on the role of Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix show this year which sees her engage in a series of steamy scenes with her love interest Colin Bridgerton.
But now she is taking on a new role in Doctor Who and will star alongside new Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa in the forthcoming Christmas special.
Speaking to The Radio Times about her whirlwind year she said: 'It's been amazing. It's been the busiest year of my life.
'I think we went to eight different countries on the Bridgerton press tour – but in a really lovely way, with two shows I'm so proud of.
'And it feels really nice to end the year with Doctor Who. I'm getting to sit down with my family at Christmas to watch it.
Doctor Who newcomer Nicola Coughlan has joked that it's 'really lovely' to star in a 'family-friendly' show for once after taking the lead in bonkbuster Bridgerton earlier this year
She is taking on a new role in Doctor Who and will star alongside new Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa in the forthcoming Christmas special
The actress, 37, took on the role of Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix show this year which sees her engage in a series of steamy scenes with her love interest Colin Bridgerton
'Very few things I do are actually family-friendly, so it's really lovely to have one!'
Speaking about being asked to take part in the show she added: 'I didn't grow up with Doctor Who. In my house in Ireland, we only had the two Irish channels, no BBC, so it wasn't in my day-to-day.
'When they asked me, I was super-keen. But when I tried to do the research, I thought 'Oh my God… this is a full universe!'
'I was kind of overwhelmed. But then I thought the thing to do would be just try to do my best acting and hopefully make the Who fans happy!'
Last month fans were given a first look at Nicola on set after the Bridgerton star traded Regency-era London for Russell T.Davies and his revived science fiction franchise.
The extent of her role is yet to be disclosed by Davies and his team.
A first look image showed Coughlan dressed in a modern red jacket and matching hat - a far cry from the ostentatious ballgowns she wore as socialite Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton.
She said at the time: 'I’m excited to join the Whoniverse under the leadership of the inimitable Russell T Davies.
'I’ve been a fan of Ncuti Gatwa for some time and getting to share the screen with him as the Doctor has been an absolute joy.'
Coughlan's forthcoming appearance on the BBC show also follows a starring role in box-office smash Barbie, in which she played a Diplomat version of the iconic doll alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
It is yet to be established whether or not her Doctor Who character - whose identity has not been confirmed - will remain beyond December's Christmas special.
'This has been the most brilliant shoot, with Nicola lighting up the set and bringing joy, said show-runner Davies. 'From Derry, via Bridgerton, to the TARDIS, it’s the trip of a lifetime.'
She told the Radio Times: 'Very few things I do are actually family-friendly, so it's really lovely to have one!'
English (US) ·