The racy period drama has become a huge hit during the latest lockdown.
And now, Nicola Coughlan, 34, has taken fans behind the scenes of Bridgerton during a day of filming (which began at 4am!) in a special video released by Netflix, on Friday.
The actress, who plays Penelope Featherington in the Regency drama, told viewers: ‘This isn’t your granny’s period drama’ as she showed how each colourful look was specially put together for the show.
Behind the scenes! Nicola Coughlan, 34, has taken fans behind the scenes of Bridgerton during a day of filming (which began at 4am!) in a special video released by Netflix, on Friday
After introducing herself to those who haven’t yet seen Bridgerton, Nicola joked that she doesn’t even know her on-screen father’s first name.
Because the character, played by Ben Miller, is only ever referred to as ‘Lord Featherington’ the actress confessed she wasn’t sure what his first name is.
Detailing a normal day of production, the Irish star explained: ‘You’re picked up at 4am. You’re driven in the dark. You wake up, you’re at a mansion. You’re like “This is amazing!” then you leave.’
The actress explained she often wouldn’t know where in the country she’d been for filming, just that the locations were extremely impressive.
From start to finish! The actress, who plays Penelope Featherington in the Regency drama, told viewers: ‘This isn’t your granny’s period drama’
Joker! After introducing herself, Nicola joked that she doesn’t even know her on-screen father’s first name because he’s simply known as ‘Lord Featherington’
Where am I? Detailing a normal day, the star explained: ‘You’re picked up at 4am. You’re driven in the dark. You wake up, you’re at a mansion. You’re like “This is amazing!” then you leave’
Time to get started! In the special video, Nicola was filmed leaving her trailer to go into two hours of hair and make-up to begin her transformation into Penelope
In the special video, Nicola was filmed leaving her trailer at 7.50am to go into two hours of hair and make-up to begin her transformation into Penelope.
Sitting in a chair, first her hair was clipped up and sprayed down in preparation for the ‘very gorgeous’ wig cap to go on, before her make-up began.
Nicola explained that the Regency era was ‘more about the hair than it was about the face’ as minimal foundation was painted onto her skin.
Finally, a voluminous ginger wig of curls was fitted on top of her head and adorned with butterfly brooches – the Featherington family motif.
Stages: Sitting in a chair, first her hair was clipped up and sprayed down in preparation for the ‘very gorgeous’ wig cap to go on, before her make-up began
Finishing touches: Finally, a voluminous ginger wig of curls was fitted on top of her head and adorned with butterfly brooches – the Featherington family motif
Impressive: Moving onto the dazzling costumes in the series, Nicola revealed that everything, including jewellery, was specially handmade and nothing was rented
Dazzling: Describing Bridgerton as ‘full of colour and life,’ she insisted: ‘This isn’t your granny’s period drama. It’s something really different and exciting’
Moving onto the dazzling costumes in the series, Nicola revealed that everything, including jewellery, was specially handmade and nothing was rented.
Describing Bridgerton as ‘full of colour and life,’ she insisted: ‘This isn’t your granny’s period drama. It’s something really different and exciting.’
By 11.25am, Nicola was in full corset and costume, and was followed by a camera crew as she made her way to film the ingenue ball.
At 2.35pm her make-up was topped-up on set before dance sequences were shot, although Nicola was a spectator for those particular scenes.
After filming wrapped, the actress enthused: ‘Time for the wigs and corsets to come off and the trackies to come back on.’
Action! By 11.25am, Nicola was in full corset and costume, and was followed by a camera crew as she made her way to film the ingenue ball
Touch ups: At 2.35pm her make-up was topped-up on set before dance sequences were shot, although Nicola was a spectator for those particular scenes
Bridgerton has been watched by a whopping 82million households worldwide in just a month, making it Netflix‘s biggest show ever.
The eight-part series, which was launched on Christmas Day, is now the streaming giant’s most watched show in 83 countries including the UK, France and US.
Although recently released, Bridgerton has easily overtaken the previous top spot holder, The Witcher, which received 76million streams in its first 28 days.
Netflix’s head of drama Jinny Howe announced the impressive streaming numbers during an interview with Variety, adding that Bridgerton has made it into the top 10 list in every country except Japan.
Bridgerton had been expected to hit 63million households in its initial four-week projections, meaning it has smashed the target by an impressive 19m.
That’s a wrap! After filming wrapped, the actress enthused: ‘Time for the wigs and corsets to come off and the trackies to come back on’