Nicola Coughlan, best known for playing Penelope Featherington — also known as Lady Whistledown — in the hit series Bridgerton, has visited a Hungarian tattoo artist in London for a small personal tattoo.
The encounter was revealed by Hungarian tattoo artist Szincsák Vivien, who shared details of the meeting in a TikTok video that quickly attracted attention from Bridgerton fans in Hungary and abroad.
According to Bors, Vivien not only tattooed the actress but also spent time talking with her, and said she was surprised by how down-to-earth the star was in real life.
“You wouldn’t guess she’s world-famous”
In the video, Vivien jokingly introduced the encounter by saying:
“The rumour is true. Lady Whistledown herself came to me for a tattoo.”
She added that meeting Coughlan was “a huge experience”, describing the actress as warm, approachable and incredibly kind throughout the appointment.
The Hungarian artist later answered fans’ questions in the comments section, admitting she had initially been nervous before meeting the actress.
However, she said Nicola Coughlan’s personality immediately put her at ease.
“If you didn’t know who she was, you would never guess how famous she is,” Vivien wrote. “She’s incredibly modest and completely ordinary in the best possible way.”
@vivien.szincsak Replying to @Kisanna Vipler végül is, igen 🫣 #bridgerton #bridgertonscandal #tetoválás #tetováló #london ♬ original sound – Samantha Swayzie
Small tattoo likely won’t appear in Bridgerton
Vivien explained that the actress received a tiny tattoo on her arm, though she joked fans probably will not spot it in future seasons of Bridgerton, where tattoos are typically hidden beneath costumes and makeup.
The artist did not reveal the exact meaning of the tattoo, suggesting it was something personal to the actress.
Fans initially speculated online that Coughlan might have travelled to Hungary, but Vivien clarified that she currently lives and works in London, where the meeting took place.
Nicola Coughlan is hugely popular worldwide
Nicola Coughlan became an international star thanks to Bridgerton’s massive success on Netflix, especially after the show’s third season focused heavily on Penelope Featherington’s romance storyline.
The actress has built a large international fanbase not only through her performances but also because of her humour, activism and candid social media presence.
According to Vivien, fame has not changed the actress personally.
“She still seems like the same sweet Irish girl she was before acting success,” the tattoo artist said.
Why the story is attracting attention in Hungary
The story has generated excitement among Hungarian fans because it shows another international connection involving a Hungarian creative professional working abroad.
Hungarian tattoo artists, designers, filmmakers and beauty industry professionals increasingly work with international celebrities in cities such as London, Los Angeles and Paris, often building global reputations through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
For many Hungarian Bridgerton fans, the encounter also offered a rare glimpse behind the scenes of one of Netflix’s most beloved stars.
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