Simone Ashley Will Not Be Returning for “Sex Education” Season 4

“I'm a Bridgerton girl now.”

April 14, 2022

Dearest Reader, we have some bittersweet news for Sex Education fans — Bridgerton star Simone Ashley has confirmed that she is not returning for Season 4 of the Netflix teen dramedy.

On April 12, Simone appeared on U.K. network ITV’s This Morning. When asked about the future of her role in the sex-positive series, Simone revealed that she would be leaving the show. “I get asked that all the time,” said Simone. "No, I'm a Bridgerton girl now."

Simone played Olivia Hanan on Sex Ed, a member of the popular kid clique “The Untouchables” at Moordale Secondary, alongside Ruby (played by Mimi Keene) and Anwar (Chaneil Kular).

While we're heartbroken to hear of her exit, we can understand why she came to this decision. Simone has followed in the footsteps of Bridgerton Season 1 star Rege-Jean Page, becoming one of the most popular breakout stars of the show. Not only has Bridgerton Season 2 been praised for moving the conversation forward in terms of South Asian representation, the sophomore season has also raked in an impressive 251.7M viewership hours, breaking the streamers record for the most viewed English-language TV series.

Simone has already confirmed that we'll see the return of Viscount and the Viscountess Bridgerton in the series' forthcoming Season 3. “I’m so excited to step into Season 3 with Johnny [Jonathan Bailey] and to continue Kate and Anthony’s love story,” Simone told Teen Vogue, sharing that the third season will focus on "post-marriage Kanthony."

There has been no word yet on how the Sex Education writers plan to explain the absence of Simone's character Olivia. But while we're sad to say goodbye to Simone on Sex Ed, we're definitely looking forward to seeing more of her on our screens as Kate ~~Sharma~~ Bridgerton.

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