Irish actor Nicola Coughlan raises $1.2m for Palestine

Irish actor Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope Featherington in the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, has raised £1.01 million ($1.2 million) for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) through her social media efforts.

Coughlan, a vocal supporter of Palestine, shared the update on her Instagram Stories, expressing her gratitude: “Overwhelmed by the amount my fundraiser has raised so far and very grateful to everyone who has shared it. Please continue to do so if you can.”

According to PCRF statistics, Coughlan’s fundraiser has attracted donations from 82,794 individuals, including the actor herself. The organization uses these funds to provide essential aid such as food, water, clothing, medical care, and other support to children in the Middle East.

Coughlan's commitment to raising awareness about Palestine has garnered widespread appreciation, especially among pro-Palestine supporters. Her visible support, including wearing the Artists for Ceasefire pin during all her Bridgerton promotional activities, has resonated deeply with fans.

In a recent interview with USA Today, Coughlan explained her decision to wear the Artists for Ceasefire pin, highlighting her sense of privilege: “I’m doing my dream job and I’m getting to travel the world, but then I’m hyper-aware of what’s happening in Rafah at the moment.”

Artists for Ceasefire is a collective urging US President Joe Biden to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. Coughlan's connection to the cause is personal; her father was involved with the UN’s Truce Supervision Organisation, and her family lived in Jerusalem in the late 70s.

Utilizing her global platform, Coughlan aims to support aid organizations actively. She has a fundraiser on her Instagram for Medical Aid for Palestine, encouraging followers to donate or share.

In an April interview with Teen Vogue, Coughlan emphasized her moral responsibility to give back, a sentiment that has guided her philanthropic efforts.

Bridgerton continues to thrive, with Season 3 Part 1 dominating the Netflix Top 10 TV charts last week, achieving 25.3 million views in its first full week, according to Deadline. Variety also reported that Bridgerton Season 3 secured three top spots on the Streaming Originals TV chart for the week of May 17-23.