First look at Nicola Coughlan's drama exploring the manosphere

Nicola Coughlan has filled some pretty big shoes with her new two-part drama, I Am Helen , but it's nothing the Galway girl couldn't handle, and now we have first look snaps for the project. The Bridgerton star is said to have helped develop the series, in which she shares the screen with Peaky Blinders actor Joe Cole. Today's top videos Photos from I Am Helen show Nicola and Joe's characters appearing to be in a heated row, with Nicola sitting with her legs crossed on a bed. Nicola Coughlan stars in Channel 4's I Am Helen. Pic: Channel 4 I Am Helen is the creation of BAFTA-winning filmmaker Dominic Savage. Nicola follows on from heavy hitters such as Kate Winslet, Letitia Wright, Lesley Manville, and Samantha Morton, who have fronted the show in the past. It turns out that the Channel 4 show is particularly topical at the moment, as it is set to delve deeper into 'the manosphere' from the female perspective. Nicola Couglan and Dominic Savage. Pic: Nicola Coughlan / Instagram The drama 'explores the experience of womanhood within a world shaped by masculine power, aggression, and control,' Channel 4 revealed. 'Told through a female lens, the story examines the pressures and expectations placed on women while confronting the realities of toxic masculinity and the damage it can create in modern relationships. This time, the story was developed by Savage with Nicola Coughlan,' the description reads. 'The manosphere' is a 'whole collection of blogs, influencers, forums…where extremists advocate for the idea that men are superior to women and women ought to be subordinated to men,' according to the BBC. Joe, who plays Nicola's on-screen love interest, will fall deeper into the manosphere, and the show will explore how the toxicity can infect modern relationships. Joe Cole attends the Virgin Media British Academy Television Award 2020. Pic: REX There are also very impressive people behind the show, as the series producers, Me+You Productions, are Emmy winners. Krishnendu Majumdar and Richard Yee of the production team are revelling in the opportunity to work with Nicola. 'To be working with Nicola Coughlan, one of the standout performers of her generation. Their collaboration on this two-part instalment of ‘I Am’ promises to be something truly special, and we’re deeply grateful to Channel 4 for their continued support and belief in this powerful series,' they gushed over the Derry Girls star when the project was revealed in July. Pic: SNL/Instagram The honour isn't lost on Nicola either, as the star rushed to compliment everyone involved in the project when her role in the series was confirmed. 'It’s an absolute honour to be part of telling the next I Am… story alongside Dominic Savage — a singular talent and a storyteller deeply committed to exploring the breadth of the female experience,' she said. Sope Dirisu and Joe Cole attend the Virgin Media British Academy Television Award 2020. Pic: REX Nicola is well aware that she is in great company wit