Nicola Coughlan has opened up about her surprise friendship with US TV personality Kim Kardashian.
The 35-year-old actress shot to fame in 2018 for playing Clare Devlin in Channel 4’s Derry Girls and went on to star as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton.
Kim, 41, who is a massive fan of the period drama, slid into the actress’ DMs for a chat about the global hit and they’ve been friends ever since.
Besties: Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan has opened up about her surprise friendship with US TV personality Kim Kardashian in an interview with Bustle
Speaking to Bustle, Nicola said: ‘I woke up one morning [in 2021] and had a DM from Kim Kardashian. I was like, “What is going on?” So weird! We talked about Bridgerton.’
The pair have since kept in contact, with Nicola messaging Kim to wish her luck ahead of her appearance on Saturday Night Live.Â
The Galway native said:Â ‘I messaged Kim to say, “You’re gonna do great!” And she said, “Thanks, I’m really nervous”.
Besties: Kim is a massive fan of the Netflix period drama slid into the actress’ DMs for a chat about Bridgerton, and they’ve been friends ever since
Star:Â The 35-year-old actress shot to fame in 2018 for playing Clare Devlin in Channel 4’s Derry Girls and starred as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton
‘I told her, “No, you’re gonna kill it”.’
Nicola praised the mom-of-four saying: ‘She’s so nice. I’d heard that about her from lots of different people, and I can attest to it now.’
‘Well, now I’m, like, best friends with Kim Kardashian,’ she quipped.
The third and final series of Derry Girls is currently airing on Channel 4
Nicola also revealed to the publication how surreal it was to go from a struggling actress to being an internationally recognised face.
She said: ‘We were hideously ill-prepared. Fame is a very strange thing, and can be quite an isolating experience because it’s not something that most people can relate to.
‘I mean, there’s definitely more good than bad. But it’s certainly a challenge.’
Nicola’s comments come after fans of Derry Girls went wild when Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson made a cameo appearance in the first episode of the final series earlier this month.
The actor, 69, played Chief Constable Byers, a local police officer who questioned Northern Irish school friends Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Clare, Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell) and James (Dylan Llewellyn) after they’re caught on school grounds after hours.
Viewers were open-mouthed in shock as Liam slowly emerged from the shadows of the police station, with one tweeting: ‘Liam Neeson’s cameo in #DerryGirls was the best surprise ever! Absolutely love this show.’
A Derry special guest star! Fans of Derry Girls went wild after Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson made a cameo appearance in the first episode of the last series, pictured
Another posted: ‘Everyone screaming ‘OMG it’s Liam Neeson’ at the telly.’
A third added: ‘The gasps out of everyone when Liam Neeson came on screen #DerryGirls.’
Liam said he was ‘delighted’ to play ‘a wee part’ in the show.
‘I’m a huge fan of the series, the talented Lisa McGee’s incredible writing and the superb ensemble cast,’ he said.
A-list talent: Viewers were open-mouthed in shock as Liam slowly emerged from the shadows of the police station and took to Twitter to share their joy
‘It’s such a unique and special show with real heart and amazing to see the lives of ordinary, funny people living in Northern Ireland during The Troubles played out in a Channel 4 comedy. It was lovely to be back filming there and having fun with them all.’
The comedy about a group of Catholic school friends returned for its third and final series this month and was met with rave met with rave five-star reviews from critics, including MailOnline’s Christopher Stevens who said it was ‘wonderful’.
Under the spotlight: Liam Neeson played Chief Constable Byers, a local police officer who questioned Northern Irish school friends (left to right) Orla, Clare, Erin, Michelle and James after they’re caught on school grounds after hours