Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley reveals that the show’s second season has “a lot of sexual tension” ahead of her debut as new character Kate Sharma, as the drama “tones down the sex scenes.”
Simone Ashley says Bridgerton season 2 has “a lot of sexual tension” so she won’t watch it with her parents.
The 26-year-old actress will play the new character Kate Sharma in the Regency drama set in London, and due to the gripping storyline, she will not be filming along with her mother and father Lata and Gunaseharan.
The star posed for a sensational photo shoot for NET-A-PORTER PORTER magazine and said in an accompanying interview, “Season 2 is a lot more serious. There’s a lot of drama and a lot of sexual tension. My parents will watch it – but not with me!”
Sizzling: Simone Ashley, 36, says Bridgerton’s second season has “a lot of sexual tension” in a chat with PORTER magazine, for which she posed for a stunning photo shoot.
In the chat, Simona, born Simona Ashwini Pillai, also shared her views on representing the South Asian community.
Simone’s parents are Tamil Indians, but the former Broadchurch star doesn’t want to be “representative of the Indian people.”
She said: “I am very proud of my heritage. [but] No, I am not a representative of Indians, I am an actress. For me, my responsibility is to read the script, do the work, show up on set and do a great job. That’s all.
Screen star: The 26-year-old actress will play new character Kate Sharma in the Regency drama set in London (pictured in series)
“I guess everyone deals with it in their own way, but I am an actress after all. Opportunities should be open to anyone and I just think there are enough of us.”
Simone posed for a stunning photo shoot for PORTER in a green dress with a plunging neckline and side cutout in one frame.
In another, she was wearing a beautiful floor-length dress embroidered with sequins that dazzled in the light.
Stylish: Simone posed for a stunning PORTER shoot in a beautiful floor-length sequined dress that dazzled in the light.
Looking good: She also got a peek at her toned midsection when she was wearing a knitted bra and trousers in another shot, sitting on the sand.
She also caught a glimpse of her toned belly when she was wearing a knitted bra and pants in another shot while sitting on the sand.
While there may be sexual tension between the characters in the plot, Netflix bosses have decided to limit the number of sex scenes in Bridgerton, as the new series has only three minutes of lewd moments.
The spicy period drama became known for its hot scenes in its first season, mostly featuring Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and the Duke of Hastings (Rare-Jean Page).
New look: While the plot may have sexual tension between characters running through it, Netflix bosses have decided to limit the number of sex scenes in Bridgerton.
Details: Full interview with Simona is available in PORTER magazine.
But according to The Sun, fans can expect a more relaxed romance between new leads Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), as their flirting “doesn’t go beyond almost a kiss.”
It is understood that the upcoming series will have only three minutes of sex scenes, while it is believed that viewers will have to wait until the end of the seventh episode to see the actual raunchy scene.
Defending the softening of the show’s sex scenes, creator Chris Van Dusen said, “For us, quantity was never an issue, and our approach to intimacy on the show was the same as it was in the first season.”
He said they use intimate scenes to “move the story forward”, adding, “We’ve never done a sex scene for the sake of a sex scene, and I don’t think we ever will.”
“It all serves a larger purpose and this season it’s a different story and different characters, Anthony and Kate and I for most of the season and it’s very different from Daphne and Simon. It’s a completely different story.
To read PORTER on iPhone, iPad and Android, visit or download the NET-A-PORTER app from the App Store and Google Play, or visit NET-A-PORTER.com to read the full interview with Simone Ashley.
Drama: According to The Sun, fans can expect a more relaxed romance between new leads Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone).