When Nicola Coughlan speaks, people listen—and donate. The Bridgerton and Derry Girls star raised over £70,000 (that’s roughly $96,000) in just over 24 hours for the trans charity Not A Phase, after a devastating April 17 UK Supreme Court ruling declared that legal definitions of “man” and “woman” must be based solely on “biological sex.” The ruling opens the door to widespread exclusion of trans people from single-sex spaces and employment protections.
While some prominent public figures celebrated the verdict, most notably J.K. Rowling, who toasted the win with a cigar and wine on X, Coughlan had a very different reaction: “Stomach turning and disgusting.” In an Instagram video, she called out both the ruling and those cheering it on. Then she did something else: she acted.
Launching a fundraiser for Not A Phase with a personal pledge to match up to £10,000, Coughlan sparked a wave of support so immediate that her initial target was met within an hour. At the time of writing, donations have surpassed £70,000, and her new goal sits at a cheeky £79,699.21—clearly a subtle dig at Rowling’s reported donation of £70,000 to For Women Scotland, the anti-trans group behind the ruling.
Celebrity allyship isn’t just a post; it’s a platform
In a digital era where solidarity often stops at a hashtag, Coughlan’s actions feel refreshingly real. Not content with posting condolences or vague affirmations, she’s using her platform to tangibly support marginalized people.
As she put it in her Instagram video: “If you are a cisgender person who is an ally of a trans person, I think now is the time to… make your voice heard.”
This isn’t her first time stepping into activism. The Irish actress has previously advocated for abortion rights and LGBTQ+ equality. But this moment hits differently.
With her Bridgerton star power at its peak and her reach global, Coughlan’s fundraising is not just a kind gesture—it’s a direct counterpunch to anti-trans narratives gaining legal ground.
She’s not alone. Co-star Charithra Chandran called the ruling “loser behavior” on TikTok (2.3M likes and counting), while The White Lotus’ Aimee Lou Wood declared, “This country is a hell hole.” But it’s Coughlan who’s leading with action, not just outrage.
Sorry, billionaires in space, Nicola Coughlan is what impact looks like
It’s hard not to draw a sharp contrast between Coughlan’s advocacy and the antics of the ultra-wealthy. While billionaires launch vanity rockets or post cryptic “supportive” statements, Nicola is out here doing the work.
She didn’t need a brand deal, a Netflix promo, or a team of publicists. She needed Instagram. And compassion.
The backlash against Rowling’s celebration of the ruling was fierce, with Coughlan posting The Cut’s headline “This Is A New Low For J.K. Rowling” and declaring she wouldn’t touch HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot “with a ten-foot pole.” That’s not subtle shade. That’s a lightning bolt of truth.
Nicola Coughlan is showing the entertainment industry what real allyship looks like: vocal, immediate, and actionable. She didn’t wait to see which way the wind was blowing. She became the storm.
