Sharma chameleon: Simone takes on a diversebridgertonrole
Sitting in a car with her Sex Education cast mates as they excitedly discussed Bridgerton, the latest smash hit from Netflix, Simone Ashley had no idea she would soon be its next leading lady.
Ashley said:“i remember hearing about the first season when it came out around Christmas. We were all in the car together and everyone was talking about watching it, so to now be offered an opportunity to be a part of it is just really, really exciting.”
Ashley plays Kate, a new addition to the Bridgerton family, who is written off by others as being a bit of a spinster. Her whip-smart ways and fiery personality, however, soon turn a certain eligible bachelor’s head.
Ashley said:“kate is really well-known and loved by fans of the book series. She’s a strong, independent, fiery, smart, intelligent woman, and I think those were the key aspects I wanted to bring to the character; someone who really uses her brain, but also feels this pull to follow her heart.”
Her sparring partner for the season is the dishy Lord Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey, who is the eldest Bridgerton and man of the house. This season, he wants to find a wife to fit his station, but is determined not to fall in love with her. He sets his sights on Kate’s younger sister Edwina, but the headstrong older sister is determined to stop her beloved little sis from entering into a loveless marriage, so does her best to thwart Anthony’s efforts, much to his chargrin – and fascination.
Ashley explained the couple’s dynamic. “Sometimes when you meet someone who has qualities that you see within yourself, they can frustrate and annoy you. That’s what happens a lot with Kate and Anthony; it takes one to know one, and they are incredibly similar. Soon that frustration turns into something a bit more playful; a bit more tender.”
The steamy regency era show is famous for its inclusivity, veering away from the all-white casts of period dramas past. Based on the books by author Juila Quinn, the character Ashley plays has been adapted for the screen to allow for the introduction of a South-asian family.
Ashley explained,“in the books, my character is known as Kate Sheffield, but in the series we have introduced her as Kate Sharma. I think that’s really down to our incredible writers and showrunner, Chris Van Dusen, who was adamant about encouraging a diverse writers’ room.
“I’m really grateful for that, as it just shows that having a thought, an idea, then ripples out and has led to me sitting here.”
Series 2 of Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix from Friday