Simone Ashley has spoken out against the body-shaming comments directed at her “Bridgerton” co-star Nicola Coughlan. During a press conference at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 15, Ashley defended Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, against the online criticism she has received over her appearance in the third season of “Bridgerton.”

“Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I think we can all relate to that, but I really don’t think that she’s allowing that to bother her,” Ashley, who portrays Kate Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series, said of Coughlan (via People). “She has a strong and fruitful career and entire life ahead of her. And I really believe in her, as the world does as well.”... [snip]

Earlier this month, Coughlan shut down body-shaming claims that Netflix had photoshopped her waist to appear skinnier in “Bridgerton.”

“If you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really molds to it,” Coughlan told People in response to the claims. “Sometimes they come in a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I’m like, ‘Oh, you can go tight,’ and they go, ‘What do you mean?’ I’m like, ‘My body now will go whew.’”