It’s still #PolinForever, but IRL, it looks like Luke Newton has a new girlfriend. The Bridgerton star was photographed on June 12 holding hands with his rumored leading lady, dancer Antonia Roumelioti, following the after-party for the show’s London premiere.
In the photos, Newton, in a butter yellow button-up shirt, and Roumelioti, in a backless turquoise halter dress, navigate the throng of partygoers and photographers. You can see the photos here.
The moment marks the first time that the pair have officially been photographed together, though fans speculated that Roumelioti accompanied Newton, 31, to the New York premiere as well.
Some fans were convinced that Luke Newton’s girlfriend was none other than Nicola Coughlan, but that’s just not the case. Though they’ve appeared affectionate toward each other throughout the entirety of the lengthy season 3 press tour, a source confirmed to People back in May that they were “just friends.” Sometimes the truth is this simple: Newton and Coughlan are just really good at their jobs.
And it’s not uncommon for the romantic leads of a popular film or TV show to lay it on thick during their press tour—just ask Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, whose electric chemistry while promoting their rom-com Anyone but You launched a thousand cheating rumors. Or Julia Roberts and George Clooney, whose press tour banter was more entertaining than their actual film. I wouldn’t put it past some sneaky publicists to encourage their clients to lean into the rumors, or to have them ask their real-life partners to lay low while they sell their onscreen romance.
Now that this press tour is over? PDA away, Luke and Antonia!
It’s unclear at the moment if Coughlan has anyone special in her life, though I’m sure there’s no shortage of suitors. She may play a wallflower on TV, but Coughlan is not shy. After she was called “brave” for performing her nude scenes in season 3 during a fan event in Dublin, she quipped, “You know, I think it is hard, because I think women with my body type—women with perfect breasts—we don’t get to see ourselves onscreen enough.”
Wit and perfect breasts?? A truly stunning combo.