Nicola Coughlan is undeniably having a monumental moment in entertainment. Ever since she first stole the show and captured international attention with her sharp comedic timing and unforgettable belly-laugh-inducing performance in the hit series Derry Girls, the Irish actress has been on a relentless upward trajectory. She quickly proved her incredible range by slipping effortlessly into the romantic, complex, and occasionally duplicitous shoes of Penelope Featherington in the fan-favorite Netflix regency romance Bridgerton.
Yet, if anyone thought Coughlan might take a well-deserved breather after ruling the ton, they were sorely mistaken. The exceptionally busy star shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, her upcoming slate is busier than ever, with audiences eagerly anticipating her arrival in the star-studded next season of Only Murders in the Building, as well as a gripping, twisted new project on Netflix that promises to showcase a darker side of her acting prowess.
As massive admirers of the hardworking actress, entertainment editors recently sat down with Coughlan to pull back the curtain and ask her about her absolute favorite things—the personal items, apps, and daily comforts that are destined to become our favorite things, too. In an exclusive feature, Coughlan shared her ultimate "PureWow Picks," detailing the nine essential items she simply cannot live without in her day-to-day life.
Among her top picks is a piece of pop culture merchandise that feels entirely on-brand for the cultural zeitgeist. When discussing her casual wardrobe essentials, Coughlan admitted that she loves comfort above all else, especially when she is off-duty and away from the heavy, elaborate period costumes of her famous television roles.
"I’ll always wear a huge hooded sweater," Coughlan revealed when discussing her go-to loungewear. "I went to see Charli XCX on tour, and I got this enormous Brat sweatshirt, so that’s the one I’m wearing most."
The oversized neon-hued nod to the summer’s biggest musical phenomenon highlights the actress’s connection to contemporary pop culture, contrasting hilariously with the corsets and ballgowns she wears on screen. But off-duty comfort is only one piece of the puzzle for an actress constantly traveling between sets, press tours, and home.
When she is not memorizing scripts or filming scenes for major streaming platforms, Coughlan can frequently be found immersed in gripping non-fiction literature. She noted that she is currently reading a significant amount of work by acclaimed author Patrick Radden Keefe. Coughlan shared that she recently devoured London Falling, and immediately transitioned into reading the author’s meticulous and chilling corporate exposé, Empire of Pain.
For an actress whose profession requires constant travel and long hours on location, finding reliable, stress-free ways to get from point A to point B is a necessity. Coughlan has very specific preferences when it comes to her transit, famously opting out of the traditional Hollywood luxury car service treatment in favor of a much more grounded experience.
"I really love to travel by train," Coughlan explained, pointing to her reliance on the Trainline app to navigate her journeys. She recalled a specific instance while shooting the legendary sci-fi series Doctor Who a couple of years ago in Cardiff, Wales. When production offered to send a private car to chauffeur her, the down-to-earth actress politely declined, insisting instead, "I would like to go by train."
Of course, long days on set, international flights, and endless press junkets can take a toll on even the most radiant skin, making a reliable skincare routine non-negotiable. However, Coughlan keeps her beauty regimen relatively streamlined, bypassing some of the more elaborate celebrity trends. While discussing her approach to maintaining a fresh complexion amidst a grueling schedule, she noted that she keeps things simple and targeted, remarking that she doesn’t know if she would ever fully commit to the intensive, full sheet mask experience, preferring instead to focus on quick, effective fixes like under-eye patches to combat early call times.
When it comes to staying active and grounded, Coughlan relies on footwear that prioritizes practicality over fleeting fashion trends. Guided by the expert advice of her fitness professional, she discovered an unexpected detail about her frame.
"A personal trainer told me I have very, very tiny feet. (I’m like a size 5!)" Coughlan shared with a laugh. Because of this, she relies on a specific, dependable athletic brand to keep her moving comfortably. "ASICS is my brand. They’re not super fancy, but I get one pair a year."
Mental stimulation is just as important to the actress as physical comfort, and when she needs a break from learning lines, she turns to word games to keep her mind sharp. Coughlan confessed that she has developed a bit of an obsession with the daily digital puzzle space, specifically diving into the New York Times gaming ecosystem.
"I’m doing a lot of Crossplay, the New York Times Scrabble game," she admitted. Far from just a casual, mindless way to pass the time between takes, Coughlan confessed that the digital word game brings out a fiercely competitive side of her personality as she plays and matches wits against her friends.
Finally, every hardworking actress deserves to celebrate the completion of a grueling project with a meaningful, tangible reward. Coughlan is no exception, noting that she has a distinct appreciation for luxury craftsmanship when the timing is right. To commemorate wrapping up a particularly demanding professional chapter, she treated herself to a timeless wardrobe staple.
"I quite love a fancy bag, so I have a little Bottega handbag that I put my things in," Coughlan said. "That was a special treat I bought myself for finishing a job."
From high-fashion statement pieces and cozy pop-culture sweatshirts to reliable train apps, page-turning investigative journalism, and simple everyday sneakers, Nicola Coughlan’s curated list of essentials proves that beneath the glamour of international stardom and hit television franchises lies a grounded, fiercely intelligent, and refreshingly relatable star who simply knows how to enjoy the journey.
