Many of you may know Nicola Coughlan for her iconic role as Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix TV series, Bridgerton. Though, others may recognise her best from her (equally iconic) role in the teen sitcom, Derry Girls... she's just killin' the acting game, really. But now, her IRL counterpart has met them both somewhere in between with a [monster] mash-up (don't come for me) of both hairdos.
Alas, before I continue, I'm sure many would appreciate some context behind said dos – you're welcome. In Bridgerton, Penelope is most recognisable for her bright red beehive and ringlets whereas Clare in Derry Girls has pin-straight bleach blonde tresses. See the picture evidence below to appreciate the upcoming transformation.
And now, not to keep you waiting any longer, let's just get to the Instagram selfie reveal. I mean, don't get me wrong, I could continue to wax poetic about Nicola's locks all day but I'm sure you're all here to see said pumpkin hair. Just take a gander below:
In the caption of her post, Nicola writes that this colour is "for spooky season 🎃" and TBH, it's giving total Halloween vibes, wouldn't you agree? If autumn was a hairstyle, this would be her and I will not hear otherwise.
Miss Penelope has followed in the footsteps of Cara Delevingne and Sydney Sweeney, who have both switched up their looks to jump on the pumpkin spice bandwagon this month. It's giving us Daphne from Scooby-Doo vibes, and we can't get enough.
Nicola shared the two artists behind the look, naming Jason Hogan as the brains behind the colour, and Pete Burkill for the shoulder-length lob cut. In terms of its style, Nicola is rocking loose curls in a deep 00s side part. Oh and not to mention that the makeup, too, has been coordinated to match the colour of her new locks. Copper orange shadow for the win.
Everyone's clicking on...
Guys, don't say I didn't provide you with all the inspo this szn. Stay tuned, as I'm sure more is to come...
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
