Nicola Coughlan says therapy 'was essential' after shooting improvised sex-scenes for new drama which highlights consent in a long-term relationship

Published: 09:25 EST, 10 November 2026 | Updated: 09:31 EST, 10 November 2026 Nicola Coughlan has revealed she needed therapy during filming for her hard-hitting new drama I Am... Helen.The Bridgerton star leads the latest instalment of the Channel 4 I Am series from Bafta winner Dominic Savage.Following the format of previous series starring Kate Winslet, Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville, I Am... Helen is completely improvised. Dominic and Nicola co-created the premise which follows couple Helen and Steve (Joe Cole) and the devastating decline of their long-term relationship when Steve falls under the influence of the manosphere and a pornography addiction.There was an intimacy coordinator on set but Nicola has explained that the improvised production made the sex scenes 'different from Bridgerton where it's very planned out - you're going from point A to B to C'.'With this, we had to set quite clear boundaries of what we were comfortable doing and what we weren't, and then it was like "off you go".' Nicola Coughlan has revealed she needed therapy during filming for her hard-hitting new drama I Am... Helen There was an intimacy coordinator on set but Nicola has explained that the improvised production made the sex scenes 'different from Bridgerton'One early scene sees Joe's character putting his hands around Nicola's throat during sex. The actress hopes scenes like this highlight the role of consent in a long-term relationship.Nicola added in an interview with Grazia that she is 'apprehensive' about the drama's release and the reaction, explaining 'it's scary to feel like we're poking the bear. That wasn't the intention, but it's such a hot topic right now.'The actress added that the drama was emotionally draining to film. She was offered therapy throughout the shoot and praises the show's duty of care, but admitted she underestimated how much support she would need on set.'On day two I was like, "I'm fine". And then by day four it was "Oh no, this is actually very heavy".''There's a lot of crying and there are scenes where Steve smashes up the apartment, punches the fridge. You know logically it's not real, but your nervous system is going, "that's quite scary to be around". I was drained and speaking to a therapist was essential.' It's been a busy year for Nicola who is currently shooting Netflix's Roald Dahl drama Tales Of The Unexpected. In the six-part series, the actress portrays pregnant housewife Mary who waits for her husband Patrick (Arthur Hughes) to return home from his job as a police detective. The drama follows Helen and Steve (Joe Cole) and the decline of their long-term relationship when Steve falls under the influence of the manosphere and a pornography addictionIt is implied that Patrick has asked Mary for a divorce and in a fit of rage, she kills her husband before the story takes a shocking turn. The show is an adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1979 collection of dark and twist-featuring short stories Tales of the Unexpected, with Nicola's story telling the thrilling tale of the 1953 short story Lamb To The Slaughter. Earlier this year Nicola was filming her guest stint for Only Murders In The Building in London alongside stars Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short.Only Murders' new series sees a string of new talent join the cast, including David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker and Jim Broadbent.They join an already huge list of names set to guest star in this new season, including Jennifer Saunders, Sean Teale, Simone Ashley, Amar Chadha-Patel, Rhea Norwood, Matthew Beard, Sharon Horgan, Martin Freeman and Lesley Nicol.I Am... Helen airs on Channel 4 on November 16.