Nicola Coughlan is set to front a new drama that will examine the growing influence of the manosphere through a female perspective.
The actor, best known for her role in ‘Bridgerton’, stars in ‘I Am Helen’, the latest instalment of the critically acclaimed anthology series ‘I Am’.
Details of the project had been closely guarded, but it has now emerged that the drama will centre on the impact of online misogynistic communities on modern relationships.
Coughlan plays Helen, whose partner, portrayed by Joe Cole, becomes increasingly drawn into the manosphere, with the story charting how such ideologies can affect personal lives.
A release date for the drama is yet to be confirmed and the storyline is mostly being kept under wraps by the I Am team, although the series finished filming last year.
The subject has attracted renewed attention following the release of a recent documentary by Louis Theroux on Netflix, as well as wider discussions around online figures such as Andrew Tate. Debate has intensified over how such content shapes attitudes, particularly among younger audiences.
Channel 4, the broadcaster of I Am Helen, has taken an approach that appears to place women’s experiences at the centre of the narrative. The project has been developed in collaboration with Coughlan and Dominic Savage, creator of the I Am series, which is known for its improvised dialogue and focus on contemporary issues affecting women.
The anthology has previously featured high-profile performers including Kate Winslet, Letitia Wright and Gemma Chan. A recent instalment, ‘I Am Ruth’, explored mental health and social media pressures among teenagers and earned Winslet a BAFTA award.
Coughlan’s involvement marks another significant step in her career following her breakout roles in ‘Derry Girls’ and the comedy series ‘Big Mood’.
