In a new interview with The New York Times, via People, breakout star Nicola Coughlan admitted that she was worried that her role on “Bridgerton” would be a short-lived dream.

“I should have been like, ‘This is amazing,'” the actor explained. “Instead, I was like, ‘This is fishy. I don’t know about this.'” Coughlan plays Penelope Featherington on the hit series who, at the end of Season 1, is revealed to be gossip columnist Lady Whistledown.

However, despite the hype surrounding the show, and the love Coughlan personally received — she now counts “Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness among her closest friends, for instance — the Irish actor was concerned she’d be recast, as many of her acting pals had been in the past.

Thankfully, everybody fell in love with her on the show, just as viewers watching at home did. Showrunner Chris Van Dusen said, “I’m happy to say that everyone loved her as much as I did.” 

Coughlan clearly couldn’t believe her luck landing “Bridgerton,” previously opening up during an appearance on “The One Show” about how her inability to walk in heels gave her anxiety about getting axed from “Bridgerton.” 

“I was just terrified to get fired because I couldn’t believe my luck at getting the job,” she shared, per Us Weekly. Thankfully, the costume designers worked around it. 

Penelope’s style “subconsciously inspired” the actor’s red carpet looks, though, according to Coughlan’s stylist, Aimée Croysdill (via PopSugar).