Nicola Coughlan to play main character in season three of Bridgerton

Nicola Coughlan has revealed that Bridgerton season three will focus on her character's love story with Colin Bridgerton.

During a Bridgerton For Your Consideration panel in Hollywood on Sunday, the Irish actress thrilled fans by explaining that the upcoming series will diverge from the order of Julia Quinn's book series and focus on her character Penelope Featherington, aka Lady Whistledown, and her crush on Colin, played by Luke Newton.

"Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time and I can confirm to you all that season three is Colin and Penelope's love story," she said. "I have kept that secret since two weeks into season two. This is the first time I am saying it here."

In an interview with Netflix's Tudum, the star explained that bringing the story forward by one book makes sense.

"I feel like if you see Penelope fawning over this boy for another season, you'll be like, 'Get it together! Come on, move on and get over it,'" she joked. "(Showrunner) Jess (Brownell) has talked to Luke and I through the season, and I think people are going to be really obsessed. I think book fans are going to be happy."

On Instagram, the 35-year-old told her followers that she hopes to do Bridgerton fans proud and is "very nervous and excited" to take centre stage after being a supporting character the past two seasons.

Each of Quinn's books focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling. After telling the stories of Daphne and Anthony - played by Phoebe Dynevor and Jonathan Bailey - many expected the next series to spotlight Benedict, in keeping with the book order. Colin's story originally came fourth.