'Bridgerton's' Nicola Coughlan Skips Season 2 Premiere Due To COVID-19: 'Heartbroken'

KEY POINTS

Nicola Coughlan announced her COVID-19 diagnosis via Instagram Tuesday
The actress said she is "heartbroken" that she missed the "Bridgerton" Season 2 red carpet premiere
Her followers and co-stars sent her some love on social media and wished her a speedy recovery

Nicola Coughlan was forced to skip the "Bridgerton" Season 2 red carpet premiere after testing positive for COVID-19.

Coughlan, 35, announced her diagnosis via Instagram Tuesday, sharing a snap of herself posing in a white robe and towel with a full face of makeup on. She accessorized with a stunning silver statement necklace.

"My 'Bridgerton' premiere look -- a little different than expected," she wrote in the caption. "So I've been struck down with Miss Rona and I'm missing our first premiere. Heartbroken is an understatement, but sending so much love to my gorgeous castmates whom I hope have the best night."

She tagged fashion stylist Aimée Croysdill in the photo, which she said shows her "infectious virus but make it fashion" look.

Coughlan's followers, friends and co-stars praised her look and wished her a speedy recovery.

"We'll miss you so much, my lovely," fellow cast member Charithra Chandran commented. "Sending all the love, eff this stupid virus!" Clara Amfo added.

"So pretty," Jimmy Paul wrote, while Shane Cooper complimented Coughlan's complexion, writing, "Skin still glowing!!"

"Queer Eye" star Jonathan Van Ness added, "But you look f–ing hot [though]."

"Sending you ALL of the love!" "Bridgerton" showrunner and executive producer Chris Van Dusen wrote.

Meanwhile, Coughlan recently opened up about her fears of being fired from her role as Penelope Featherington, a.k.a. Lady Whistledown, on "Bridgerton."

The Irish star admitted that she was initially worried that she would be replaced with a more well-known actress as she was still making a name for herself in Hollywood when she snagged her breakout role.

"I should have been like, 'This is amazing,'" Coughlan told The New York Times. "Instead, I was like, 'This is fishy. I don't know about this.'"

She explained that "she had known plenty of actors who were hired onto prestige projects and then fired when the studio demanded a bigger name."

But Coughlan's fears turned out to be unfounded as the viewers fell in love with her and her character.

"I'm happy to say that everyone loved her as much as I did," showrunner Van Dusen told the outlet.

"Bridgerton" Season 2 will premiere on Netflix this Friday.