Simone Ashleydidn’t always see herself as a screen actress.
The British actress, 26, who will be the new romantic lead in season 2 ofBridgertonand is featured inPEOPLE’s 2021 Ones to Watch packagein this week’s issue, initially had her heart set on musical theater.
“I grew up singing quite a lot and studied a lot of classical music, and then that kind of led into musical theater and I fell in love with musicals,” Ashley says. “Whilst I was studying musical theater, I actually started to watch a lot of movies, particularly [Quentin] Tarantino films.”
Bridgerton season 2.Liam Daniel/Netflix
While a return to the stage may be a goal for another time, Ashley soon booked her first big role on Netflix’sSex Education, which premiered its third season earlier this month.
“I was a very classical actor with pennies left in my bank account,” she says of the game-changing moment she got the call forSex Education. To celebrate, “I took myself out for sushi and tuna tacos and some sake.”
Upon being cast as the headstrongKate Sharma, a love interest for Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), on the No. 1 show on Netflix (well,untilSquid Game, that is) earlier this year, Ashley simply got down to business. “Before I knew it, I was going into the studios where we film for fittings,” she says. “It happened incredibly fast.”
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“When Mindy Kaling messaged me, because I’m a super hardcore fan of hers, I grew up looking up to her and her work and still do, that was a bit of a pinch-me moment, because I never really thought I would ever interact with Mindy,” Ashley says. “She just said congratulations and was just really lovely.”
Of course, Ashley “messaged back with loads of emojis!”
Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton and Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma.Liam Daniel/Netflix
As for the show itself, Ashley clearly connects to her character, Kate Sharma, whom she describes as “sporty and competitive” and “really smart.”
Bridgertonseason 2 is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2022.
source: people.com
