Nicola Coughlan Calls Luke Newton 'the Kindest Friend' After Bridgerton Star Steps Out with Rumored Girlfriend

Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan's sweet support for her costar Luke Newton continues, even as their press tour comes to an end.

Newton, 31, posted photos from the Bridgerton season 3 promo run on Instagram to commemorate the release of part 2 and “celebrate the last five years” of his time on the show. 

“Thanks for being such a big part of this wild journey 🐝,” the actor wrote in his caption.

The actress, 37, then reposted her costar's photos on her Instagram Stories and shared some words about her “kindest friend.” 

Coughlan called Newton “a true gentleman” and “a dream costar” and said that she “couldn’t have been luckier than to spend the last 6 months traveling the world with you.”  

Coughlan's tribute comes after Newton was photographed in London holding hands with his rumored girlfriend Antonia Roumelioti after the Bridgerton season 3, part 2 premiere on June 12. Rumors about their potential romance have swirled around since May, when Roumelioti posted photos of herself in Manhattan on Instagram a few days after the Bridgerton premiere in New York. 

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Bridgerton fans speculated for months that Coughlan and Newton were actually dating because of their affectionate nature towards each other while promoting the show. However, PEOPLE confirmed with a source in May that the actors are “just friends” and only "supportive costars for each other. "

On June 13, Coughlan posted a selfie of her and Newton on Instagram with the furniture that broke during their sex scene to celebrate the release of the Bridgerton midseason premiere. 

"Part Two is out now, we put our heart and souls into it, hope you love watching it as much as we loved filming it ❤️," the actress wrote in her caption. 

Bridgerton’s intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot also posted the photo to her own Instagram and said she had “been waiting FOREVER for this to come out” and called it her “most favorite work picture I’ve ever taken.”

Talbot also praised the costars and said “you absolutely SMASHED this season in every sense of the word and it was a total joy and privilege to work with you. Two of the kindest people to ever walk on set.” 

“You just KNOW it’s going to be a great scene when something like this happens 😂.”  

Bridgerton season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.