Nicola Coughlan "felt sick every day" filming new "powerful" Channel 4 drama

Nicola Coughlan has revealed she "felt sick every day" filming new Channel 4 drama I Am Helen. The latest series from BAFTA-winning filmmaker Dominic Savage follows Coughlan as the titular Helen, "exploring the experience of womanhood within a world shaped by masculine power, aggression, and control", per a synopsis.

The hard-hitting series, which was described as "powerful" and a "timely portrait of our times", proved difficult for the Bridgerton icon to film, admitting she felt sick every single day while filming.

Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, the Derry Girls star said, "It is such an unusual project as it is completely improvised and quite a tough subject matter. I felt sick every day with nerves and thought, 'When can I quit, I want to go home!'

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"You really don’t know what the show is until you see it, and it is strange to watch it back. It was quite mad and a very different way of working – a really intense but amazing experience."

Asked about starring in the next series of hit TV series Only Murders in the Building, she also said, "It was very unexpected. I love the series and watch it with my mum. It is such a ridiculous cast – everyone is too famous! It was amazing fun to do, and I loved it."

Two-part show I Am Helen will air on Monday, 16 November, and Tuesday, 17 November, on Channel 4.

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A synopsis teases: "Produced by award-winning Me+You Productions, the latest instalment of the critically acclaimed BAFTA-winning anthology series explores the experience of womanhood within a world shaped by masculine power, aggression, and control.

"Told through a female lens, the story examines the pressures and expectations placed on women while confronting the realities of toxic masculinity and the damage it can create in modern relationships."

It continues: "Known for its distinctive, improvisational approach, the series shines a light on the complexities of women’s lives, relationships and identities – this time, the story was developed by Savage with Nicola Coughlan."

The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One and iPlayer. I Am Helen premieres at 9pm on Monday, November 16, on Channel 4.

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more. Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club. LinkedIn