Simone Ashley, from Sex Education to Bridgerton... and more!

Talented, beautiful, and mesmerizing. These characteristics are not unique to Kate Sharma, a protagonist of the second season of 'Bridgerton' (Netflix). The same can be said for her interpreter, Simone Ashley.

While the character unintentionally won the heart of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), the actress also won ours. With every look, every word, every stolen smile.

Like the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) in the first season, Kate Sharma is determined not to fall in love. Only those who watched (or will watch) the series, find out if she can contain her feelings.

Simone Ashley is highly suited to give life to the determined young woman responsible for taking care of her family.

In the photo, she poses with Nicola Coughlan, co-star of 'Bridgerton.'

Before shining in 'Bridgerton', Simone Ashley had already played the role of Olivia Hanan in 'Sex Education.' She appeared in 15 episodes, from 2019 through 2021.

Image: Netflix

Simone Ashwini Pillai was born in Camberley (England) on March 13, 1995. She's of Indian descent.

She debuted in film with 'Boogie Man', released in 2018.  In 2016, she had already appeared in the TV series 'Wolfblood.' Ashley also had been in the HBO miniseries 'The Sister'.

Her filmography doesn't stop there. Simone Ashley appeared in two British series: 'Guilt' and 'Broadchurch'.

She studied acting at the Redroofs School for Performing Arts, one of the most renowned in London.

The actress has almost 3 million followers on Instagram and is considered a style icon. She appeared in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Bazar.

She attended Milan Fashion Week in September 2021 to honor Prada, a brand with which she has already collaborated. Gucci, Miu Miu, and Chanel also featured the image of Simone Ashley.

Loewe chose Simone Ashley to head its Paula's Ibiza perfume campaign.

But it was really with the premiere of the second season of 'Bridgerton' that Ashley's fame grew most.

In an interview with the YouTube channel FMDOS, she talked about what it was like to play the stubborn Kate Sharma.

Image: 'Bridgerton,' Netflix

Simone says that it was a challenge for her to play a character who struggles between two sides of her heart: one to protect her sister and the other to follow her own heart. However, she thinks it was fun to play with these two tempers.

On the other hand, she revealed to Glamour that she had serious problems with her period costume: "I had a lot of pain with the corset, too, I think I tore my shoulder at one point!"

Simone Ashley even vomited, the garment was so tight. "So, I had this massive portion of salmon and that's when I had to be sick, basically because I was wearing the corset,” she explained to the magazine.

Ashley also had to learn to ride a horse for the scenes in 'Bridgerton' in which she appears galloping with complete naturalness and experience. She told the El Español newspaper that the horse racing moment (alongside Anthony) is her favorite in the series.

Already transformed into a celebrity, the actress was one of the guests at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in March 2022. This was the look she chose to rock the event.

There is still no official confirmation whether Simone Ashley will be in an upcoming season of 'Bridgerton'.

She told the YouTube channel FMDOS that she would love to, and also that she thinks there is still progress to be made in her relationship in the series. For her part, she would be thrilled to explore that side.

As for her love life, it's not public knowledge if she's with anyone at the moment. However, we know that she often has her pet dog by her side. He's a star on her Instagram profile. How not to love her even more?

Simone Ashley's next work will be in the movie 'The Little Mermaid', set to be released in 2023.