Nicola Coughlan and Joe Cole have been photographed together for the first time on set in I AM HELEN, the latest instalment in Dominic Savage’s acclaimed I AM series for Channel 4. The images give us an early glimpse of the two actors in character, seated on a bed in what appears to be a tense, heated exchange between a couple — though Cole’s role officially remains under wraps for now.

Coughlan, best known internationally for BRIDGERTON, developed the story alongside Savage, who once again serves as writer and director on the project. Award-winning Me+You Productions returns as producer. The synopsis describes a drama told through a female lens, one that examines the pressures and expectations placed on women while confronting the realities of toxic masculinity and the damage it can cause in modern relationships — territory that feels both timely and personal to the series’ broader ambitions.

I AM HELEN marks a first in the show’s history, stretching its story across two episodes rather than the single-episode format that has defined previous instalments. The series has built a remarkable track record since its debut, with Vicky McClure, Samantha Morton, Gemma Chan, Suranne Jones, Letitia Wright and Lesley Manville each having taken the lead in earlier episodes. The most recent entry, I AM RUTH, starred Kate Winslet and aired in 2022 to widespread acclaim.

Both episodes of I AM HELEN are set to air on Channel 4 later this year.

Nicola Coughlan is heading to London — and she’s bringing her mystery-solving instincts with her. The DERRY GIRLS and BRIDGERTON star has officially joined the cast of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING for its highly anticipated sixth season, and it’s the kind of casting news that feels almost too good to be true.

Coughlan is one of several major new additions to the show’s ensemble, joining a frankly staggering lineup of British and Irish talent that includes David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Jim Broadbent, Richard Ayoade, Adrian Lukis, and Kathryn Hunter. The show’s official social media account broke the news in typically playful fashion, urging followers to keep calm and update the case file — which, honestly, is exactly the energy we needed.

For anyone new to the series, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING follows three amateur true-crime obsessives — played by Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short — who investigate murders connected to their upscale New York apartment building while documenting everything for their podcast. Season 6 marks a significant first for the show, as production has relocated to the UK, with the trio’s investigations taking them across the Atlantic to London. It’s the first time the series has filmed outside the United States, and with a cast of this calibre waiting for them on the other side, the move feels more than justified.

No official release date has been confirmed just yet, but all ten episodes of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING Season 6 will be available on Disney+ in Ireland and internationally when it arrives.

The UK edition of Saturday Night Live is gearing up for a spectacular return with two powerhouse hosts taking the helm for back-to-back episodes that promise to deliver comedy gold and unforgettable musical performances. Nicola Coughlan and Aimee Lou Wood have been tapped to lead the charge, bringing their distinctive energy and comedic prowess to the iconic sketch show as it bounces back from a brief hiatus.

Kicking off the action on April 25th, Irish actor Coughlan will step into the hosting role with legendary rock band Foo Fighters providing the musical firepower for the evening. The 39-year-old Galway-born performer has built an impressive career spanning beloved television hits and will now add Saturday Night Live hosting to her growing list of accolades. Coughlan is best known for her panicky turn as Clare Devlin on Channel 4’s cult comedy DERRY GIRLS and for her quieter, more nuanced portrayal of wallflower Penelope Bridgerton in Netflix’s sweeping regency romance BRIDGERTON. Her stint on the show marks the triumphant return of SNL UK following its one-week pause, and the addition of Foo Fighters—who have graced the stage of the American version nine times—guarantees an evening of rock star caliber entertainment.

A week later, on May 2nd, Aimee Lou Wood will take her turn at the hosting desk, with rising British sensation Meek providing the musical accompaniment for what promises to be an equally riveting episode. Both hosts will follow the traditional SNL format, opening with their own monologues and throwing themselves into sketches throughout the 75-minute broadcast. They join an impressive roster of recent hosts that includes comedy legend Tina Fey, Irish heartthrob Jamie Dornan, acclaimed actor Riz Ahmed, and British television favorite Jack Whitehall, each of whom has brought their own flair to the show’s signature blend of sharp writing and live performance chaos.

SNL UK will return to screens on Sky and Now TV on April 25th, ready to prove once again why the sketch comedy format remains one of television’s most unpredictable and entertaining institutions.