Nicola Coughlan Says Society Must Do More to Challenge Toxic Masculinity

Nicola Coughlan says society is falling short when it comes to confronting toxic masculinity, as her new Channel 4 drama puts the issue at the center of an intimate relationship story. The Bridgerton actor discussed the subject with Deadline ahead of the launch of I Am Helen, a two-part drama in which she stars opposite Joe Cole. Asked whether society is doing enough, Coughlan gave a blunt answer: no. She said toxic masculinity appears to be growing among young men and argued that conversations about women’s safety should also examine the people who cause harm, rather than placing the burden entirely on women to avoid danger. In the drama, Coughlan plays Helen, a woman in a long-term relationship with Steve, played by Cole. The character is struggling with everyday life and directing his frustration at his partner. The show explores the expectations placed on women and the damage that can develop in relationships, while presenting its characters as ordinary people rather than exaggerated villains. Coughlan said she hopes viewers will recognize aspects of the characters in themselves or people they know. She described Helen as an ordinary woman who has been in the relationship for a long time, and said the grounded nature of the story is part of what may make it resonate. Cole said he researched the so-called manosphere while preparing for the role, but also looked at less extreme voices that can still promote troubling ideas. He noted that some content framed as self-improvement or dating advice may sound reasonable before slipping into rigid expectations about women and relationships. The actor said the drama aims to show how someone who seems relatively normal can be influenced by such ideas when life is not going as planned. Creator Dominic Savage, who has made several installments of Channel 4’s I Am anthology, said the project places women at the center of a story about toxic masculinity.