Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 9 hrs ago
Nicola Coughlan says society must do more to address toxic masculinity
Nicola Coughlan says society is not doing enough to address toxic masculinity.
She stars as Helen in I Am Helen, a two-part Channel 4 drama, opposite Joe Cole as Steve, her partner.
The story follows an ordinary woman in a long-term relationship with a man who takes his struggles out on her.
The drama is semi-improvised and was developed by Coughlan and co-creator Dominic Savage, whose I Am anthology tells stories from women’s perspectives.
The show explores how harmful ideas about men and women can affect everyday relationships.
Coughlan says too much responsibility is placed on women to keep themselves safe, and that society should also ask who is causing harm.
I Am Helen is preparing to launch on Channel 4.
Nicola Coughlan says society is not doing enough to address the challenges caused by toxic masculinity.
She said toxic masculinity is rising among young men and that more attention should be paid to who commits harm.
Coughlan stars in the two-part Channel 4 drama I Am Helen, which explores toxic masculinity and its effects on relationships.
The drama follows Helen, played by Coughlan, and her partner Steve, played by Joe Cole.
Co-creator Dominic Savage said the drama explores a disconnect between men and women in modern relationships.
- Who
- Nicola Coughlan, actor in I Am Helen, spoke to Deadline.
- What
- She said society is not doing enough to address toxic masculinity.
- When
- Deadline published the interview on November 9, 2026, on the eve of the drama's launch.
- Where
- The interview was with Deadline. The drama is a Channel 4 production.
- Why
- Coughlan said toxic masculinity is rising among young men and that responsibility for safety is placed too heavily on young women.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Coughlan worked with I Am Helen co-creator Dominic Savage to shape the drama.
Deadline published its interview with Coughlan on the eve of the drama's launch.
- Drama
- I Am Helen, a two-part Channel 4 production
- Lead actor
- Nicola Coughlan plays Helen
- Co-star
- Joe Cole plays Steve
- Co-creator
- Dominic Savage
- Outlet publication date
- November 9, 2026
What people are saying
It’s clear that toxic masculinity is on the rise among young men.
So much responsibility is placed on young women to stay safe and protect themselves from dangerous situations, but we also need to ask who the perpetrators are.
Things have fallen apart.
We’re trying to show how a relatively normal person can be influenced by this stuff because life isn’t going the way they imagined.