“When Luke and I read the books at the beginning of season one, it was funny to us to imagine what it would be like if we have to kiss. Then season three came around and we were like, ‘This is it. I have to kiss my friend!’ And REALLY had to kiss,” she teases.

“It’s a spicy one but Luke made me feel really taken care of. We really had each other’s backs. And then when it was done, we had a good laugh about it. There was one day where we had to do a very romantic scene and we were just peeing ourselves with laughter!”

The third instalment of Netflix’s steamy smash hit, which is based on the books by Julia Quinn, will see Nicola as the season’s diamond, and the Galway native is ready to step into the spotlight. With a potential romance between her character, Penelope Featherington and Colin all teed up, it’s now a matter of when.

“I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but I can say that when (writer and showrunner) Jess Brownell sat Luke [Luke Newton who plays Colin Bridgerton] and I down and first told us about this season we were like, ‘No! What happens next? So much happens this season. It’s wild!” she says.

The season will be released in two parts, with the first four episodes landing on Netflix on May 16, and the remaining four coming out on June 13. But since filming wrapped, viewers have been spoon-fed the occasional teaser to keep the buzz well and truly alight. One, in particular, had heart rates rising.

That narrative of being something of a wallflower, is one Nicola is passionate about turning on its head in the next season. “I hope this season will make people who maybe feel not seen, seen and make everyone realise how deserving and worthy they are of love,” she says.

For the past two seasons, Nicola’s character has been dressed to the nines — but in unflattering colours that did little to show off the actress’s beauty. “At least mama has not dressed you as a sunflower,” the character laments to her unfortunate sisters in the second season. This time, though, it all looks set to change. When the first preview photos were released last year, they showed Penelope in stunning blue gowns, with her hair perfectly coiffed. The wallflower is clearly blooming.

It’s clearly a moving change for both the character and the woman who plays her. “I didn’t expect this season to be as emotional as it is so I hope all the fans feel that and enjoy the phenomenal story. It’s so brilliant and I really feel it does the books justice,” she admits.

Penelope and Colin’s story is one that ascribes to a classic trope: friends to lovers. It helps that it’s one of Nicola’s favourites. “I think it’s one of the best tropes in rom-coms. It’s like When Harry Met Sally or Ross and Rachel. I think the beautiful thing about this season is that they finally have their guards down with one another. They have known each other since they were kids and they have always just enjoyed each other’s company so much. As they have grown older they have become a little more self-conscious but it’s different this season,” she explains.

When the first season of Bridgerton aired in December 2020, Nicola was already a household name across the country. Derry Girls had made a star of her two years earlier. The 37-year-old actress also appeared in summer 2023’s blockbusting Barbie, and she is on the bill for this year’s Doctor Who Christmas 2024 special. But if she was a star before, Bridgerton sent her to new stratospheres.

It’s par for the course, with co-star Phoebe Dynevor nominated for a rising star BAFTA last week, and season two heartthrob Jonathan Bailey starring in the upcoming Wicked film. The show is a star-maker, and it changed Nicola’s life “in every way,” she says.

“I went to Brazil and I have never felt more like Beyonce (laughs). Before I could just hop around, no problem. Now they are like, ‘It’s fine, we have security…’ I’m like, ‘I am so fancy!’ Then I get back to London and I am trying to buy pants and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s not my life…’ It’s only in Brazil,” she laughs.