‘Bridgerton’ star Nicola Coughlan raises over $2 million for Palestine despite Hollywood’s warnings

Irish actor Nicola Coughlan, best known for her portrayal of Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton, has made a significant impact by raising $2 million for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) through her social media initiatives.

In addition to raising funds, Coughlan personally contributed to the cause. The PCRF noted that global donations enable the organisation to supply food, water, clothing, medical care, and other vital assistance to children in the Middle East.

The PCRF expressed its appreciation on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Thank you to actor and Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan for your incredible support of PCRF and your fundraising efforts which totalled an astonishing $2M USD in support of our Urgent Gaza Relief and Recovery efforts. Thank you for using your voice to inspire support for peace and impacting the lives of thousands of displaced children and families in dire need, providing them with humanitarian aid and medical relief.”

Beyond her financial contributions, Coughlan has brought significant attention to the situation in Palestine, particularly during her Bridgerton promotional activities. She regularly wears the Artists for Ceasefire pin during photoshoots and events, symbolising her dedication to the cause.

In a prior interview with USA Today, Coughlan shared her driving force: “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.”

Coughlan’s connection to the Middle East is personal; her father was part of the UN’s Truce Supervision Organisation, and her family lived in Jerusalem in the late 70s. She said her father went to a “lot of war-torn regions after the conflict and try and help rebuild,” and this had left a profound impression on her. 

Speaking to Teen Vogue in April, she articulated her moral responsibility: “I think if I can hopefully raise funds for aid organisations, it would be a wonderful thing to do.” She furthered on to reveal she had been warned by people in Hollywood not to be openly supportive of Palestinian rights but has continued to campaign for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“You do get told that you won’t get work, you won’t do this, but I also think, deep down, if you know that you’re coming from a place of: I don’t want any innocent people to suffer, then I’m not worried about people’s reactions,” she said.

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