Netflix declared the 25-year-old British actress’ casting news on Monday, February 15:”Prepare to fall in love with Simone Ashley, who will play Kate in season 2 of Bridgerton, Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools — Anthony Bridgerton very much contained.”
Bridgerton, which was released last month, is based on Julia Quinn’s books. Not long after the series, which is executive made by Shonda Rhimes, started streaming, showrunner Chris Van Dusen verified the series was renewed for season two.
“We’ve got a bunch of new characters we are going to be introducing,” Van Dusen said on the Today show in January. “Anthony is going to have a love interest next year, and I think it’s going to be as sweeping and moving and as amazing as audiences of their first year have come to expect in the show.”
Bailey, for his part, teased the character of Kate during a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“Having read the second publication, if Anthony gets to meet anyone half as brilliant as Kate Sheffield is, then he is going to be a very lucky guy,” he told the outlet on January 21. “It is just going to get more complicated and exciting and sexier, I presume. … That the story will be very exciting.”
“I think Chris Van Dusen has this wonderful ability to shoot Julia Quinn’s extraordinary novels and her amazing worlds that she filled with enthusiasm and sexiness. And he takes it to a whole other level,” Bailey added. “So the fact that we are after Anthony’s pursuit for love shows that you know there’s definitely going to be some similarities.”
After the casting news broke, Bailey took to Instagram to discuss Van Dusen’s announcement. He tagged his new costar and added a red heart emoji and parasitic GIF.
Netflix has yet to announce a release date for season two.
Scroll through for five things to know about Ashley and her character, Kate:
Author Julia Quinn Approves
“WE HAVE OUR KATE!!!!!” The Bridgerton writer wrote via Instagram alongside two slides of Ashley. “Welcome into #Bridgerton, @simoneasshley! I couldn’t dream of a perfect Kate. I mean, just have a look at her saying in that first photo!”
2. Kate Has a Different Name on the Show
Ashley is taking on the role of Kate Sheffield in the books. In the show, her name is Kate Sharma.
3.
Season 2 of the Netflix series is loosely based on the next Bridgerton book, The Viscount Who Loved Me which follows Anthony’s journey to locate a spouse.
4. Simone Is Known for Her Role On’Sex Education’
Ashley has played Olivia Hanan on Netflix’s Sex Education for two seasons. The series has been renewed for season 3.
5. Her Other Acting Credits
Ashley’s other roles include the British crime drama Broadchurch at 2017 and the British miniseries The Sister at 2020.
