Nicola Coughlan spoke about the importance of using her platform for good ahead of landing her first Bafta TV Award nomination.
The Derry Girls star previously revealed she had been advised against speaking out on Israel’s war on Gaza, warned that doing so could harm her Hollywood career.
Defying that advice, the Irish actress has continued to advocate for a ceasefire and helped raise millions through fundraisers she has organised on social media.
Coughlan discussed the power of using her voice at the launch of her new partnership with Neutrogena, held at Bafta in Piccadilly, where The Standard was in attendance, on Wednesday.
Reflecting on her privilege, she shared: “I think in the last few years, I’ve become so immensely privileged—not only because I get to do the job I’ve always wanted to do since I was a little kid, but I get to travel the world, meet amazing people, and be here tonight, where we can all have a drink together.
“It’s really lovely. But I can’t turn a blind eye to what’s happening in the world.”
She added: “I think it’s a big thing when brands say we’ll stand by you, you know what’s happening right now in Gaza especially, is on my mind almost constantly and I think people get worried to speak out, but I think if you’re speaking for innocent people, you should never be worried.”
Coughlan said she hopes her influence can “give a voice to the voiceless.”
The Seize Them! star also spoke about her evolving relationship with social media, emphasising its potential for impact.
Highlighting the generosity of her followers, she shared: “I think I’ve realised over time my relationship with social media and stuff, I’ve always cared about different causes, now I’m of the volition that my opinion in the nicest way doesn’t matter but what I can do is that I have a following of a few million people and I can raise funds for certain charities, and the people who follow me on Instagram raised £2million for children in Palestine, which is just incredible, it’s amazing.”
The Bridgerton star has long been an advocate for social justice, campaigning for marriage equality in Ireland and marching for abortion rights before her acting career took off.
While she remains committed to activism, Coughlan was also overcome with emotion after receiving her first-ever Bafta TV Award nomination on Thursday.
The 38-year-old earned recognition in the Female Performance in a Comedy category for her role as Maggie in the dark comedy Big Mood.
Taking to Instagram, she shared her excitement with a carousel of photos, admitting she was “overwhelmed” by the honor.
One image captured her emotional Zoom call with her mother, while another featured her with members of the Big Mood cast. She also included a nostalgic throwback with the show’s creator and longtime friend, Camilla Whitehill, from their late teens and early twenties.
“Holy moly I’ve been nominated for a BAFTA,” she captioned the post. “I’ve tried to write a long caption but I’m too overwhelmed and excited and emotional to explain how much it means to me so please enjoy.”
She continued: “Pic 2: Ringing my mum and getting to tell her forehead the news. Pic 3: Some of the Big Mood family who have now become friends for life.
“Pic 4: Camilla and I at 21 & 19 not knowing that one day one would write the other a part so incredible that she’d get nominated for a BAFTA. I love you my girl”.
Hilariously, she first reacted to her nomination on her Instagram Story with a screengrab of the announcement, jokingly writing: “As if this small rat has been nominated for a BAFTA. As IF.”
Also nominated in Coughlan’s category are Ruth Jones for Gavin And Stacey, Kate O’Flynn for Everything Burns, Lolly Adefope for The Franchise, Sophie Willan for Alma's Not Normal and Anjana Vasan for We Are Lady Parts.
