Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan's off-screen chemistry is equally endearing. In a behind-the-scenes video from the set of Bridgerton Season 3 shared by director Andrew Ahn, the co-stars were filming what appeared to be a ballroom scene when they were suddenly interrupted by a prank.
In the film, a stern-faced Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, talks to Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington. Music suddenly started playing in the background, eliciting an immediate reaction from Newton, who burst into laughter along with the cast and crew.
The surprise song is "Cougar Town" by former British boy band South 4, of which Newton was a member before his Bridgerton days.
The behind-the-scenes prank appears to have been pulled off by Coughlan, who burst out laughing as people danced to the song.
Luke's boy band days
Described as "Sussex's answer to One Direction", South 4 reportedly signed a record deal in 2012 worth $1.3 million. The band first met at the famous Brits School and also included Oli Evans, Joel Baylis and Henry Tredinnick.
After releasing their first single, "Cougar Town," Evans said, "We're really excited about this single. We think it's going to be one of the biggest hits of the summer."
Sadly, this is not the case. The band broke up shortly after their debut, and eight years later, Newton landed a role in the hit Netflix show.
Fans love candid scenes
The video quickly circulated among Bridgerton fans, with some calling it "absolutely ridiculous."
"I loved everything about this prank! Nikolai and Luke are the best," another fan wrote on Instagram, while one user commented, "This is not the iconic prank we hear! This is hard Confidence.”
This isn't the first time fans have had a chance to glimpse life on the set of BTS Bridgerton . In 2022, the show's choreographers released footage from the Season 2 wrap-up party, in which the cast and crew dressed in Regency-era costumes danced to Sister Sledge's "We Are Family."