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Nicola Coughlan had to recover quickly from the ‘SNL UK’ after party as she attended the UK Special Screening of her new family film ‘The Magic Faraway Tree.'

Speaking from the red carpet, Nicola revealed how she got the request in from host Tina Fey, and the unexpected ‘Bridgerton’ reunion she shared with Regé-Jean Page.

Playing Silky, Nicola appears in ‘The Magic faraway Tree’ alongside Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Lenny henry and Michael Palin. The family film is out in UK & Irish cinemas on 27th March 2026. Report by Burtonj. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Transcript
00:00Hello. Hello. How are you doing? I'm really well. How are you doing? Very good. Thank you. I know your
00:04name was on the list to appear here today. However, I'm a little bit surprised to see you. Why? Because
00:08you had a massive night last night. I had quite a late night. I did. I did. I mean, it's
00:12been a very surreal sort of week. I got a text on Wednesday, I believe, saying Tina Fey is hosting.
00:20She asked, will you come and do a cameo? And I just burst into tears because she's my hero. I
00:24really tried to hold her together in front of her last night and play it cool. But I mean, truly.
00:28And Arrested Development and 30 Rock are my two favorite shows of all time. And Michael Cera was there. So
00:34I haven't processed it yet. But yeah, incredible.
00:38Well, talk about playing it cool. Like, here's you telling Tina Fey, educate yourself, Tina. I know, right? I know.
00:43Wonderful delivery of the line. Thank you. Is it because she made you feel comfortable that you're able to be
00:47so cutting with her?
00:48Well, basically, I just everything that I learned from comedy, I learned from watching her and 30 Rock. So I
00:54basically was like, you know, it was like the student being like,
00:58well, I hope I've learned well enough to do this for you. But I mean, like, she brought mean girls
01:03into the world.
01:04That film still is in the zeitgeist 20, however many years, 22 years later. Like, she just, she's a complete
01:11genius.
01:12And it was an honor. I'll never, I'll die now and I'll never forever, forever.
01:16How was the after party?
01:17It was great. It was so much fun. Graham Norton was there.
01:21We had lots of chats with Tina afterwards, which I always feel like. And that cast, I think they are
01:26a special bunch.
01:27And I'm really rooting for them. And I think the world really desperately needs comedy right now. Comedy's in an
01:31odd spot.
01:33I think there's a lot of comedy drama. But we miss, we're missing a little something.
01:37And we need, and it's also, it's topical. It's really got, they're a talented group.
01:41Jack Sheff is one of them that people really need to plan against. He's a star in the making.
01:46I was so thrilled to see it last night. But we're here to talk about the Magic Faraway Tree, of
01:49course.
01:51Also, you understood the assignment today because you dress very much like your character, aren't you?
01:54Yeah, a little method dressing. I was dressed by a Lebanese designer.
01:58And they made it and got it over to us. I don't know how they did it. It was pretty
02:01magical.
02:02But yeah, it's great because I, so this is the one time I've ever wanted to be recognized from something.
02:07And over there I was getting photos taken and every little girl was going, it's silky.
02:10And I was like, this is, this is it. This is what you want.
02:13Dream accomplished, yeah.
02:14Yeah. What was it, we're obviously hoping to like inspire a generation and kids and make them believe in magic.
02:19What made you believe in magic as a kid?
02:21The Wizard of Oz.
02:22Oh yeah?
02:22It was my favorite movie. I watched it the first time when I was five.
02:26And it just, everything about it I was mesmerized by.
02:29And I knew it's what I wanted to do. I didn't necessarily understand what acting was.
02:33But I just totally was immersed in that world.
02:36And there was moments in this which I really felt that magic.
02:39And I just, if this could be one kid's favorite movie, then that's it.
02:45I would be happy. Yeah, it would be amazing.
02:47It's so nice having the kids here today. I've spoken to them.
02:50But on the set, are you now kind of like the person like giving them a bit of advice and
02:54helping them out and like easing them into the industry?
02:57But these kids, they have longer CVs than I have.
03:00They are such professionals. They're unreal.
03:02But I, I loved working with them because I was a kid actor.
03:06Nowhere near as successful as this gang.
03:08But I, you know, and it's difficult because you're in an adult's environment and you're expected to work and you
03:13don't want to be patronized to.
03:15But it's a tricky balance.
03:16But they were just brilliant in the heart of the movie, you know.
03:19So I think it was our job just to be there to support them.
03:22And I adore the three of them.
03:24I cried when I finished filming because they were like, why is this woman crying?
03:28But they're, they're special. It was a very special experience.
03:31Before I let you go as well, just a quick Bridgerton chat.
03:34First of all, congratulations on the latest season.
03:37Thank you so much.
03:38You had a bit of a, a reunion yesterday with the reggae as well.
03:40I didn't.
03:40You didn't see him coming either.
03:42I haven't seen him in years.
03:43Honestly, I think the last time I saw him, this one's very fancy.
03:45She must have been at the Met Gala.
03:47La-dee-da.
03:48But it was so nice to see him, honestly, because just so much time has passed.
03:52So much has happened.
03:53And then I got into getting to have like an actual nice chat with him backstage.
03:57And it was, I only found out on the day he was going to be there.
03:59But yeah, I was thrilled.
04:00And there's a new movie coming out.
04:02Which is very exciting.
04:03A new rom-com.
04:04Which is going to be brilliant.
04:05Well, before I let you go as well, I love everything you do.
04:08What is a new project of yours that we should look out for you in?
04:11So I've got, well, this movie, obviously.
04:13And then Big Mood Season 2 is coming out next month.
04:16And then I did a piece with Dominic Savage called I Am Helen.
04:19Which is sort of as far away from this as you could.
04:21It's quite, quite dark.
04:22And Joe Cole's also in it.
04:24And it was fully improvised.
04:26Filmed it for three weeks.
04:26It's probably the hardest thing I've ever done.
04:28That will be at some point this year.
04:29But they've not told me when.
04:31So probably later in the year, I would imagine.
04:33Yeah.
04:33Nicola, thank you so much for your time.
04:34And enjoy today as well.
04:35Thank you very much.
04:36Bye.
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