If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the photos. Nicola Coughlan and Jake Dunn strolling through London, looking like they stepped right out of a high-end indie film. It’s the kind of thing that makes people lose their minds. Why? Because we spent months—no, years—convinced she was destined to marry her Bridgerton co-star Luke Newton.
But life isn’t a Netflix script. Honestly, the real story of the Nicola Coughlan Jake Dunn relationship is way more interesting than the "Polin" fan fiction we all had on loop.
The Slow Burn and the "Hard Launch"
People think this happened overnight. It didn’t. While the world was obsessing over every hand-hold between Nicola and Luke Newton during the Bridgerton Season 3 press tour in early 2024, Jake Dunn was already in the picture.
He’s an actor too, by the way. You might recognize him from Disney’s Renegade Nell or the Netflix series The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.
The timeline is actually pretty fascinating:
- March 2024: Nicola attends the Renegade Nell premiere. She isn’t on the carpet with Jake, but a cast photo later surfaces showing them looking very comfortable together.
- August 2024: The first real "wait, are they?" moment. They were spotted at the All Points East festival in London during a Mitski set.
- October 2024: They’re seen leaving an Irish pub in Stoke Newington. This was the "PDA" moment that finally broke the "just friends" defense.
- February 2025: The official Instagram "hard launch." Nicola posted a sweet birthday tribute for Jake’s 25th, basically telling the world they were the real deal.
- April 2025: Their red carpet debut at the BAFTA Television & Craft Awards nominees party.
Addressing the Age Gap Discourse
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the age gap. Nicola is 38. Jake is 25.
Thirteen years. In Hollywood terms, that’s barely a blip, yet the internet had thoughts. Some people on Reddit and Twitter (now X) went into a full investigative mode, questioning if they were at different "life stages."
But here’s the thing—Nicola has been working in this industry for a long time. She knows the game. Jake, despite being younger, is a Guildhall graduate who has been working steadily since 2022. They move in the same circles. They share the same "theatre kid" energy.
When you see them together, the age thing feels irrelevant. It’s more about two people who clearly "get" each other's weird, high-pressure careers.
Why the "Polin" Fantasy Made This Harder
It’s kinda tough to date a global superstar when half the world wants her to be with someone else.
Nicola spent the better part of late 2024 fielding questions about Luke Newton. She told TIME magazine quite flatly that they were just friends. "Isn't it beautiful that a man and a woman can have that kind of relationship?" she asked.
Fans were devastated. But looking back, it’s clear she was protecting something private. While we were analyzing her "chemistry" with Luke, she was actually building a life with Jake.
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The "Immense Violation" of Fame
Success has a price, and for Nicola, it was her privacy. In a late 2025 interview with The Guardian, she actually got emotional talking about the early days of the Nicola Coughlan Jake Dunn relationship.
She described the "immense violation" of being followed to a local pub. Imagine having a quiet drink with someone you’re just starting to like, only to see photos of it on DeuxMoi two days later.
She admitted the intensity gave her "horrific anxiety." It’s a reminder that behind the glamorous red carpet debuts, there are real people trying to figure out if they actually like each other while a thousand cameras are pointed at their faces.
Who is Jake Dunn, Anyway?
If you’re only following the tabloid headlines, you might miss that Jake is a seriously talented actor in his own right.
- He graduated from the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2022.
- He’s a stage veteran, having performed in Anna Karenina and Julius Caesar.
- He’s got a sense of humor. He once posted a photo of a friend wearing a "Nicola Coughlan" hat with a shirt referencing her famous "perfect breasts" comment.
Basically, he’s not just "Nicola’s boyfriend." He’s a rising star in the British acting scene who seems to handle his girlfriend’s massive fame with a lot of grace.
What This Relationship Tells Us About Nicola
Nicola Coughlan has always been a bit of a rebel. She speaks up about Palestine. She calls out body shaming. She refuses to play the "perfect starlet" role.
Her relationship with Jake fits that pattern. She didn't choose the PR-friendly co-star romance that would have sold a million magazines. She chose a younger, up-and-coming actor because that’s who she actually connected with.
She’s proof that you can be the lead in the world’s biggest romance show and still keep your real heart for yourself.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Followers
- Respect the Boundaries: Nicola has been vocal about how paparazzi photos affect her mental health. Supporting her work doesn't require consuming "leaked" private moments.
- Check the Credits: If you want to see why Nicola is so drawn to Jake, watch his work. Check out Renegade Nell or Big Boys. His talent is the real deal.
- Separate Fiction from Reality: It’s okay to love "Polin," but remember that Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan are coworkers. Celebrating her real-life happiness with Jake is the best way to be a true fan.
- Watch the BAFTAs: Keep an eye on future award seasons. Now that they’ve made their red carpet debut, expect more high-fashion couple moments that will likely break the internet again.