Nicola Coughlan shares her excitement as she reveals she's set to reunite with Derry Girls co-star for new project

Daily Mail​

30-04-2025

Nicola Coughlan has shared her excitement as she revealed she's set to reunite with one of her Derry Girls co-star for a new project.
The actress, 38, - who played Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom - will soon star in show Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre.
And Siobhán McSweeney who played the iconic role of Sister Michael will be acting alongside her.
Sharing the news on her Instagram on Tuesday, Nicola wrote: 'Reuniting with an old friend for a new adventure doing an Irish classic
'So excited to be bringing the Wesht of Ireland to the @nationaltheatre.'
Sharing the news herself, Siobhán penned on her socials: 'What a delight to finally reveal this. Luckiest girl in the world.
'Thank you @nationaltheatre for allowing me back.'
The Playboy of the Western World is a three-act play written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge, first performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1907.
A synopsis reads: 'Pegeen Flaherty's life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he's killed his father.
'Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…'
Caitríona McLaughlin (Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin) directs Nicola, Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán in John's story of youth and self-discovery.
Last week, Nicola appeared smitten with boyfriend Jake Dunn as they made their red carpet debut at the Bafta TV and Craft awards nominees party.
The actress and her Renegade Nell star partner, 25, could barely keep their eyes off each other as they arrived at London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
Nicola looked elegant for the evening in a figure-hugging black jacket dress which featured an eye-catching tulle bow on the back.
And Siobhán McSweeney who played the iconic role of Sister Michael will be acting alongside her
Sharing the news herself, Siobhán penned on her socials: 'What a delight to finally reveal this. Luckiest girl in the world'
She layered the statement garment over a pair of black tights as she slipped into a pair of towering black platform heels.
To finish her chic ensemble, the blonde beauty toted her belongings around in a small satin micro bag.
Meanwhile Jake opted for a much more casual appearance as he stepped out in a pair of white trainers and a two-piece navy suit.
He layered his suit over a burgundy wool jumper and a white shirt which he opted to keep the top button open.
Nicola went Instagram official with Jake in February as she took to her Stories to celebrate her boyfriend's 25th birthday with a sweet post.
She shared a photo of Dunn sitting on what appears to be a set as he looked up at the sky.
'Happy Birthday ♥️,' she wrote on the post.
Nicola and Jake met after being after being introduced by her Derry Girls co-star and close friend Louisa Harland.
Following months of hiding the budding relationship, Nicola and Jake, finally confirmed their romance in October after they were spotted returning home hand-in-hand from a pub trip in North London.
Friends of the couple told MailOnline: 'They're absolutely besotted with each other and have so much fun together.
'Despite their busy schedules, they've slotted into each other's lives so easily as they share such a big group of mutual friends.'
Jake, who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2023, has appeared in projects opposite Nicola's Derry Girls co-stars Louisa Harland and Dylan Llewellyn, 32.
Like Nicola, the London-born actor has also starred in a period drama, Disney's Renegade Nell, opposite Louisa.
The source added: 'When Derry Girls ended Nicola, Dylan and Louisa remained the best of friends and always supported each other in their careers so it made sense Nicola met Jake.'
While still at drama school, Jake was booked on for the Channel 4 Big Boys opposite Dylan and was written by Jack Rooke who is a close friend of Nicola's.
The gang of friends are big supporters of each other's work and are often spotted hanging out in North West London where Nicola has a house in the trendy Stoke Newington area.