Simone Ashley of ‘Sex Education’ fame, to play leading lady in ‘Bridgerton’ Season Two

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British actress of Indian descent Simone Ashley has been cast to play one of the leading roles in season two of Netflix hit series ‘Bridgerton.’

The streaming service made the announcement Feb. 15, 2021.

Ashley who plays the character of Olivia Hanan on ‘Sex Education’ will play the role of Kate Sharma, the love interest of actor Jonathan Bailey’s character Anthony Bridgerton, in the upcoming season of romantic period drama.

“Get ready 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 included,” Netflix’s official account tweeted, adding, “Quite the juicy bit of gossip, dear readers… This author is certainly looking forward to many a column covering Miss Kate Sharma.”

Reacting to the announcement, Indian-American actress and producer Mindy Kaling, tweeted, “The absolute coolest. A feisty young British-Tamil lady in this world! Didn’t think I could more excited for next season.”

Production for the second season is to begin this spring in London, and will be based on the sequel of Julia Quinn’s romance, ‘The Viscount Who Loved Me’, which follows the quest of Lord Anthony (Bailey) to find his viscountess.

In the novel, Ashley’s character is named Kate Sheffield. However, the show’s creative team previously decided her family would be of Indian descent and changed her surname, according to the Indian news service ANI.