Nicola Coughlan, renowned for her role in Bridgerton, stepped into the limelight alongside her boyfriend, Jake Dunn, during their first red carpet appearance at the 2025 BAFTA Television and Television Craft Nominees’ Party. This event took place at London’s prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum on April 24.
As reported by People on February 13, Jake Dunn is a graduate of the Guildhall School for Music and Drama, having completed his studies in 2022. He gained noticeable recognition for his role in the upcoming Disney+ series, Renegade Nell, which debuted in March 2024, and recently starred in the historical action film William Tell, released in theaters on January 10, 2025, featuring Ben Kingsley and Connor Swindells.
Exploring the Relationship of Coughlan and Dunn
According to a report by the Daily Mail on April 25, the couple’s romantic journey appears to have begun at the world premiere of Renegade Nell in March 2024. Their relationship was later seen blossoming throughout 2025, with joint appearances, including the All Points East festival in London the previous August.
Sources indicate that Coughlan and Dunn were introduced through mutual friends Louisa Harland and Dylan Llewellyn, both part of Coughlan’s Derry Girls cast. Dunn also collaborated with Harland on Renegade Nell.
“When Derry Girls wrapped up, the bond between Nicola, Dylan, and Louisa remained strong, supporting one another in their careers, which naturally led to Nicola meeting Jake,”remarked a friend.
Close acquaintances of the duo have emphasized their deep affection and compatibility. Despite their demanding schedules, the pair has seamlessly integrated into each other’s lives, benefiting from a substantial mutual friend circle.
“They are completely enamored with each other and share a lot of laughter. Even with their busy lives, they’ve easily found their place together within a large group of friends,”added their friends.
Nicola confirmed their relationship publicly when she posted a heartfelt birthday message for Dunn on her Instagram story on February 12, as reported by People.
Dunn’s Insights on Acting
In an interview with the Lancashire Telegraph back in March 2022, Dunn, then focusing on his role as Billy Casper in a theatre production of Kes at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, discussed his preparation for the role. He emphasized the importance of a dialect coach in mastering a Yorkshire accent.
“Our dialect coach has been excellent, and my approach has involved repeating the months of the year in a Yorkshire accent. Being from Nottingham helps, as I naturally say ‘bath’ instead of ‘barth,’ so that’s a positive start!”Dunn shared.
Additionally, Dunn revealed his newfound fascination with birds while delving into the world of falconry for his role.
“Before rehearsals began, I spent a day with a falconer and developed an obsession with birds. They hold such a commanding presence, almost as though they can see right through you. I completely understand why Billy becomes enamored with this bird,”he explained.
Looking ahead, Dunn’s next endeavor is set to be the BBC series What It Feels Like For A Girl, which is anticipated to premiere later this year, according to BBC reports.