How 'New Girl' Inspired Nicola Coughlan & Luke Newton's Steamy Kiss in 'Bridgerton' & More

'Bridgerton' stars Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton and Claudia Jessie sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to chat all about season 3 of the hit Netflix series. The stars reveal how season 3 differs from the previous ones, the 'New Girl' moment that inspired their steamy kiss, Nicola liking those Luke Newton TikToks and so much more.
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How 'New Girl' Inspired Nicola Coughlan & Luke Newton's Steamy Kiss in 'Bridgerton' & More
The Hollywood Reporter
/ hollywoodreporter

[@francinelukban8389]

claudia being a third wheel will always be entertaining

[@taylorchameleon]

the way i've been quite literally devouring every bit of nicola/luke content on the internet & it will never be enough, i have a problem.

[@courtneynace2720]

If you have a problem we will have a problem and it’s a problem I will not soon by solving

[@danamartinez7840]

Join the club! 🗒🖊

[@michellec8473]

We will not, can not, do not want to stop

[@angelamanalo9414]

Me rn too😭🥰

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

We are with you. I didn’t think I would be this obsessed, but here I am.

[@pinarakba]

A polin kiss in Part 2 inspired by Jess and Nick‘s epic first kiss from New Girl???? Dead

[@TimeaPusok]

That scene from New Girl is my Roman empire

[@jonginisholy]

Ohhh I can't WAIT ANYMORE. Need to experience that scene immediately

[@rachyvm]

My thought exactly! The question now being is Luke Newton gonna pull it off? Cause Jake Johnson is iconic in that scene

[@ambberhill1090]

@@TimeaPusok mine too

[@noelle_michelle]

After the first kiss, Colin looked JUST like Jess after The Cooler Kiss™

[@eva_vert8942]

Claudia explaining in screams what it felt like to see Polin happen was actually so spot on understandable 😂

[@rachelwells9046]

It reminded me of phoebe catching Monica and chandler 😂

[@lesmercredis]

The way Nicola and Luke just… take care of each other… 😩😩 Like, I don’t care if it’s romantic or platonic or something in between… it’s just BEAUTIFUL ❤❤❤

[@user-er2lk8lm4j]

its PR

[@lesmercredis]

@@user-er2lk8lm4j Man I don’t even care I just love watching it happen 😍😍😍😍

[@hannahg.3856]

I love how they had to explain what a thirst trap edit was to Claudia 😂😂😂 our social media free queen

[@eva_vert8942]

And an algorithm

[@bibidibabidiboo]

Luke not hearing the question is just him being relatable.

[@stephaniec9355]

He has ADHD

[@inalltheirgorgeouscolors8091]

@@stephaniec9355yeah, it might be his adhd. In the puppy interview he said he was too distracted to pay attention to the puppies and the questions.

[@LovernotafighterFL]

Either he is attracted to the interviewer and distracted by her or was hearing how they have chemistry and thinking about that didn't hear the question or, he was making a joke or there was no rhyme or reason and he lost track due to ADHD. I'd imagine he's on medication for that though.

[@audriemelyn2034]

@@LovernotafighterFLyeah, I was thinking he was probably attracted to the interviewer! Lol

[@Mrs.Campos3]

The way Nic takes care of Luke when his ADHD affects him is just too sweet. The moment about a minute and fourty seconds in, I have ADHD and that happens to me all of the time.

[@melsymadds]

I’m ADHD myself and I’m going to have to watch the video again because I think I missed that bit!

[@milarivera7603]

Yes. I noticed everyone laughed, but she spoke so gently to him and repeated the question ❤. Nicola is so sweet😊

[@kimstheworst]

Nick & Jess had the best kiss of all time so I am very excited to see how their New girl inspired one pans out.

[@angelaboice]

Knowing now that Luke has ADHD is so relatable for me as an ADHD girlie. The moment when he didn't process the question/had an auditory processing delay is so relatable. Love him and this cast !

[@ai_insect232]

Nicola and Claudia really take care of Luke when he gets uncomfortable. I love that. Also, I can never get enough of these actors but I have seen dozens of interviews now and I think they deserve better questions than these. Nothing new here and they look tired of it. Missed opportunity to do something different and mentally stimulating with all three of them.

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

Agreed!

[@whiskeywarmseptember]

The thing is these interviews might have happened around the same time or simultaneously and then published at the same time too, so obviously it's difficult to know what questions had been asked previously

[@ana19877]

Claudia’s laugh!!! Gives me life!

[@michellek4349]

Luke said “us as a couple” SHIP CONFIRMED🤪

[@castescotsss78]

YESSS!!! I noticed that too 🥵

[@janiyamoore5614]

I think he meant “us as a couple” in reference to penelope and Colin, not him and nicola sadly

[@Freaky0Nina]

Yes. Fans need to get out of people's private lives.

[@Temnotfo]

​@@Freaky0Nina No❤

[@wendiefernandes6385]

I CAME TO THE COMMENTS just to see if I was the only one who cought on to that I was like waitttt

[@conray1907]

All eyes on Rafah. Much much respect to Nicola. ❤

[@Lirree88]

All eyes on rafah lies

[@conray1907]

@@Lirree88 lsraeI is a TERRORlST State

[@Natalie27552]

@@Lirree88Okay chill chile

[@Lirree88]

@@Natalie27552 learn how to spell. and maybe don't diminish or gaslight murd er, child.

[@watermelon22432]

@@Lirree88 idk y ur commenting that on here when nicola is lit wearing a CEASEFIRE PIN?????

[@vitaflood6677]

luke mentioning ross and rachel 😭 love them so much

[@terri639]

Totally agree about the Jess and Nick kiss!

[@cassandramiller2476]

Nic's hand on Luke's chair 😍😍

[@beingjessib6121]

I know right 😂

[@melsymadds]

I noticed that and thought how adorable. They are both so lovely. Luke is a sweetheart 🥰

[@nataliam895]

Noticed as well but.... friends 😅

[@toffermyc1999]

This is not helping my Polin delusions 😓

[@channonmock]

6:41 June 13th needs to make haste so we can FINALLY find out what it is because the fact we haven't figured it out correctly in crazy 😂😂

[@samswayzie]

They won’t show the break but we can at least guess

[@happydaze7976]

Are we all just ignoring Nicolas gold shoes❤❤❤ she looks so gorgeous.

[@melsymadds]

I couldn’t stop looking at them. Love those sort of high heels, but alas can no longer wear them 😔

[@happydaze7976]

​@@melsymaddswe can dream👠👠 ❤

[@maddisong6846]

they are all gorgeous🩷 and we all thank you nicola for putting eyes on gaza 🇵🇸

[@conray1907]

Nicola is an inspiration for speaking up.

[@CharlieeMusic]

Claudia third wheeling will never not be funny 😂

[@jenniferwattley5438]

Not Luke being like sorry what's the question. Let these babies rest! This press tour has been relentless. Drop part 2 and let us win! 😊

[@ryrosimeone8837]

Nicola is a hero 🇵🇸

[@dmohield]

I haven’t watched this video yet but I completely see that Jess and nicks kiss was their inspiration 😭😭😭😭😭🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

[@thecapriquarian1180]

Nic is a 👑 but also how beautiful is claudia... Eloise's book is my second fave after Romancing Mr Bridgerton... cant wait for her season! ❤

[@snds6202]

The cups are EMPTY…. I can’t 😭😭

[@layla5295]

celebrities, they’re just like us (obsessed with new girl)

[@joanaafonsosousa]

Claudia and her screams, like please that describes it so well!!! 😂

[@14suryashi]

These 3 in a room but the questions could have been so much more fun, their chemistry is phenomenal

[@msreal5270]

“There’s another one that’s more like that” THE DREAM SEQUENCE WASNT THE ONE????

[@brandymariee]

Nicola and Luke always talk about each other so respectfully and admirably 🥲

[@chillysmeg]

three absolute diamonds i love them so much💎💎💎

[@kiamaniwhitfield]

I love Luke’s style! His outfit choices…chef’s kiss 😍

[@itsemilylol]

there is SO MUCH GOLD in this interview thank you!!!

[@Shamelslife]

I love that Nicola’s feet are barely touching the floor! Score one for the shorties!!!

[@ermsy13199]

So love Claudia’s outfit in this interview but stunning as always 🥰

[@kritikasharma4521]

They are the cutest 😍 After queen Charlotte, polin are my favourite..its like u can see a genuine connection btw the two characters 🤌

[@gingercollier7949]

I love seeing this cast and how the men treat the women like ladies. So much respect for that. Wish it was that way all the time.

[@nataliam895]

Nicola understands all characters so very well

[@galexiefaraway]

And here I am watching interviews about the Polin carriage scene and kiss lol.

[@theliterarytarot]

My name is Claudia and hearing Nicola say Clauds with her accent was such a delight. I love this season and their chemistry and Luke is just 🥰

[@rebekahomeara4717]

Nicola holding onto Luke’s chair has me smiling so hard

[@meekamae1]

The best trio in the whole show 😁😁😁 i love Eloise and Pen friendship a little bit more though ❤️

[@taghreedsa]

The ceasefire pin. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@veronicatisa]

claudia and nicola having watched new girl makes me so insanely happy. one of my favourite shows ever

[@Allegedly_Me]

Man I haven’t been this obsessed since Jaime and Brienne in Game of Thrones. I eat, sleep and dream Polin at the moment😂😂

[@mayanprincess99]

Love Nicola's Artist 4 Ceasefire pin!

[@lighterlikeafeather]

this is quite literally what colin, penelope, and a thirdwheel eloise would look like if they were in a modern alternate universe

[@alinaerokhina8705]

Luke was checking out and eye flirting with an interviewer so hard during the whole video lol. And Nicola and Claudia are just so amazing I would like to drink wine and have a conversation with them about pretty much everything.❤

[@makeitsmall7834]

The little pin make me so happy!

[@user-L0v3nPe4c3]

This is the reason there is a part 1 and part 2 so in between that they can still do promotion tours and give us more Bridgerton content. I am glad that they did not just give us 8 episodes to binge. It makes us appreciate the actors more for the sublime work they bring to their characters 🙌 I hope with the large fandom Shonda Rhimes will do more spinoffs. Because there are too many great stories to explore with a cast who has chemistry you cannot find anywhere else.

[@chiarakia386]

Free Palestine ❤ thank you nicola for always wearing your pin to remind the world

[@Lirree88]

free the hostages

[@marabanara]

This was a great interview!

[@user-pv8xt2lx1o]

respect to nicola

[@idk-dz]

The fact that they didn't have a camera fixated on Nicola alone throughout the entire interview is....interesting 🧐 it's almost like they don't want us to see what's on her pin but WE ALL KNOW THANK YOU NICOLA 🍉🍉❤

[@rainyg.reinert1115]

NICOLA IS A LITERAL COMEDIAN 😂

[@iamshooketh9345]

We were all SPIRALING when she saved the vid about us being delulu about them being in love😂😂😂

[@metteberlin3997]

Best interview i have seen, there the cast Seem to so calm. And they are having fun !

[@haylynshon7514]

5:40 i love how Nicola is Luke’s best defender and comfort , people talks about his looks or his glowup like he needed it so-much but this could make Luke himself uncomfortable props to nic for stepping up

[@hneymoon18]

when I tell you ! these interviews are feeding me !! until part two comes out 😭😭

[@Selenadreamon]

5:35 👁️👄👁️ I..- ugh …. Oh MA GOODNESS i am obsessed with Nicola and Luke. Like… it’s fine guys you can stop acting now. We all know you’re in love!!!!!!

[@frenchiesaparis5741]

Nicola reached over to rub Luke’s hand too 🥹

[@clairexoch945]

...."we've experienced as a couple" uhm Luke??! 🤩🤩

[@clairexoch945]

we got our confirmation SHHDHDS

[@bonnie_rabbit749]

@@clairexoch945 As delulu as i am i unfortunately think he meant them as a leading couple. As in them leading the season as Polin. But a girl can dream! 😩

[@lilli9970]

loving the interviewer, such a great vibe!

[@Lilly-eu5rw]

Nicola and Claudia need to start a KZbin chanel.

[@kuenga7955]

Love the ceasefire pin on nicola

[@user-io8nl6zn1y]

I love the three of them...all fantastic actors.

[@danamartinez7840]

It is confirmed (at least by me), "New Girl" first kiss is one of the best there is... 😏

[@kivonshe]

I truly hate the comparison between relationships across seasons as if each character doesn’t have their own personalities n personal battles to get thru. Each relationship will be different so each season’s relationship should be treated independently of the other

[@inmyoppinion2]

My 3 fave bridgerton characters

[@jennhoseok1684]

Nicola is beautiful ❤❤❤

[@nenasummers-shanafelt5126]

Would Nikola and Luke actually be a couple at some point? I would love that. They are friends, it would be beautiful for them. Their chemistry as a cast is amazing!! I just can’t get enough ❤

[@lolabbie9579]

I will never get enough of Luke & Nicola, they are perfect together and SO HOT😍😩

[@IlianaMayela-ft1oz]

Nicola's ceasefire pin❤ free Palestine, all eyes on Rafah

[@ryrosimeone8837]

Nicola is a hero. Most in Hollywood are cowards and/or lsraeI supporters.

[@heartofgom3490]

Nicola and her red pin, i love her for that❤

[@TixieTime]

Nicola’s heels are stunning

[@d43imoet]

Ugh lovely trio 🥹🥹🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@User-wr5qz]

Nicola saving thirst trap memes of Luke HAHAHAHAHA that is too funny!!!

Amazing interview

[@marianadesantanna5073]

I can’t with this new girl is my favorite sitcom and that kiss lives in my head rent free, Polin being my fave couple, I can’t wait a whole month for that 😩

[@jazzbayer8404]

i've been impatiently awaiting and I'm not disappointed.

[@lauraebel2769]

Love this. New Girl is my favorite show of all time

[@PhilipJacksonesq]

They're fabulous - but the SHOES!! THE SHOES ARE ALL FABULOUS

[@fiafschannel7671]

Claudia looks so pretty wth and the red heels goodness gracious

[@bethwhite2883]

So now I'm off to watch Nick & Jess's kiss again for the millionth time❤

[@wintangwarastri5618]

The way I RAN TO THIS VID after seeing the title.

[@hadjabebe6048]

I love how they are always matching

[@user-iy9by5lf4t]

Me encantan, amo las entrevistas de ellos tres juntos, pobre luke se ve que estaba muy nervioso y algo ansioso por el estreno de la serie 💛🥺👏🙌✨

[@hello_jjangguri]

the amount of Claudia being on interviews as many as the main lead makes me wonder if they did this to promote her because she will be the main lead next season 🧐🧐🧐

[@EsinAmiz]

Nic touching the chair of Luke

[@inalltheirgorgeouscolors8091]

Yeah, I was wondering if it was that or just because Eloise has a significant storyline this season because of her friendship with Pen and her knowledge of Lady Whistledown. I’ve also seen Luke Thompson who plays Benedict on several interviews, so they seem to be keeping him front and center too.

[@emavictoria03]

10:55 nicola is so real for that

[@natasharose3176]

Hope to see the new girl inspired kiss in part 2 😉

[@sctaliesha]

I LOVE THEMM 💓💓💓

[@dl2725]

Oh Nicola! We can see your cheek move. There’s only one episode with two syllables

[@arasywahid6575]

7:35 This day i find it so weird if when there is interviewer asking the actors about how they think about Taylor Swift, why Taylor had always should be brings up in every conversation

[@kaylivelazquez7354]

Wow at 4:15, that still of Eloise just jaw-droppingly made me realize how much Claudia and Ruth look SO ALIKE

[@IngridRosaxp]

New Girl just the best tv show ever

[@pureheartbadass]

they are so correct about that kiss

[@kim-mr7oh]

4:28 claudia talking about eloise and theo 🫶🏽🥹

[@JennaLoomar]

THIS MADE ME LOVE IT EVEN MORE

[@XitaRain]

She is so touchy on Luke❤

[@GwiloViou]

Every eye is on Rafah. Huge regards to Nicola.