Skip to main content
Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
More On:
Woman Crush Wednesday
Happy Spring, everyone! We’ve got a pep in our step and it’s not only because of the warmer weather and increased hours of sunlight. That’s right, we’re feeling extra exuberant because today is Woman Crush Wednesday, the designated day for lifting up the laudable ladies who are leading the way in our favorite movies and shows streaming now. This week, we’re celebrating a wonderful woman who has been exploding onto the scene and making a mark for herself in the entertainment industry ever since she debuted just six years ago. She’s only going to keep getting bigger and better from here so be sure to remember her name! Now without further ado, give it up for your WCW, the spectacular Simon Ashley!
WHO’S THAT GAL: Simone Ashley
WHY WE’RE CRUSHING: Ashley stars as Kate Sharma in the newest upcoming season of hit Netflix Original title Bridgerton, which premieres on the platform this Friday, March 25th. The highly-anticipated sophomore season of this Shondaland Regency Era romance series continues the titillating saga of the high society Bridgerton family as eldest son, current head of the family, and notorious rake Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) takes center stage in his pursuit of a wife fit for the title Viscountess Bridgerton. His search leads him to begin courting young debutante Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran), but in doing so, he makes an enemy of her older sister, Kate (Ashley), who opposes the match and seems poised to knock Anthony down a peg or two (which we’re all here for, honestly) in order to prove that he isn’t good enough for her dear sister.
Featuring an incredible cast of both new and returning faces that includes Ashley, Bailey, Chandran, Nicola Coughlan, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Newton, Adjoa Andoh, Claudia Jessie, and Phoebe Dynevor, the series’s second season is already receiving plenty of buzz from publications like EW, Mashable, us here at Decider, and more, making it clear that Bridgerton is once again coming out with the big guns in the always-exciting duel that is today’s world of streaming. Is this the makings of a juicy enemies-to-lovers story, or the beginning of the end of Anthony’s efforts to settle down once and for all? Find out in the steamy blaze of irresistible romance and drama that is Bridgerton: Season 2, only on Netflix.
WHERE YOU’VE SEEN HER BEFORE: Ashley’s professional onscreen career started strong in 2016 when she played Zuhra in two episodes of fantasy teen-drama series Wolfblood, and Amanda in an episode of mystery-thriller Guilt. She then continued to steadily build up her filmography with roles in shows like Broadchurch, C.B. Strike, L’ispettore Coliandro, Doctors, and movies like 2018 musical romantic-comedy Boogie Man, 2018 comedy mystery-thriller Kill Ben Lyk, and 2018 dramatic short film Sparrow. It was in 2019, however, that Ashley really took her career to the next level and became even more of a household name thanks to her work that year in big-name action-adventure comedy film Pokémon Detective Pikachu, medical-drama series Casualty, and most of all, in popular Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education, where she played recurring role Olivia Hanan in 15 episodes through 2021. Since then, Ashley has only continued to step up her game by playing Aisha in made-for-TV thriller film A Working Mom’s Nightmare, and by portraying Elise Fox in three episodes of psychological-thriller miniseries The Sister. Having already accomplished so much in so little time, it’s clear that Ashley is a hard-working and talented actress to watch, so be sure to keep an eye out for her and the amazing things she is sure to create and accomplish in the years to come!
WHERE YOU’LL SEE HER AGAIN: If you want to see more from Ashley, you’re in luck! The actress is set to voice Lori in upcoming animated short horror film Bulldog, which tells the tale of ten unwilling contestants who participate in a deadly game of British Bulldog (a rugby-like game of tag played in Commonwealth countries that has been banned at many schools due to its violent nature). For even more from Ashley in the meantime, be sure to follow her on Instagram ASAP so that you never miss a moment from your royally remarkable WCW!
