Simone Ashley, a newcomer to the series Bridgerton, was away from the scene of the Regency London drama when she stepped into the dazzling season 2 premiere of Netflix’s show at the Tate Modern in the capital on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old actress, who plays Kate Sharma on the Netflix show, made sure all eyes were on her when she caught a glimpse of her belly in a white ruffle crop top.
She wore a see-through black sequined floral embroidered skirt and chose black satin shorts with high lace underneath.
Glamor cat: Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley, 26, was a far cry from the Regency London drama setting in a crop top and sequined sheer skirt at the season two premiere on Tuesday.
Her skirt was trimmed with olive green velvet frills, and she wore black fishnet stockings.
The star opted for a pair of long sleeve gloves in the same pattern as her skirt.
She added a few inches to her height with a pair of black heels and wore makeup to accentuate her beautiful features.
In style: The actress, who plays Kate Sharma on the Netflix show, made sure all eyes were on her as she caught a glimpse of her belly in a white ruffle crop top.
Screen star: The actress will be seen as the new character Kate in the Regency drama set in London in the new series (pictured in the series)
Simone wore dazzling diamond earrings to complete her glamorous look.
The premiere came after she said the second season of the Netflix show had “a lot of sexual tension”, adding that she would not be watching it with her mother and father Lata and Gunaseharan to avoid embarrassment.
In an interview with digital magazine NET-A-PORTER PORTER, she said, “Season 2 is a lot tougher. There’s a lot of drama and a lot of sexual tension.
Fashionista: She wore a see-through black sequined floral embroidered skirt and opted for black satin high waist shorts underneath as she posed with co-star Jonathan Bailey.
Famous friends: Simone looked pleased in the company of Jonathan, who plays Anthony Bridgerton’s character.
Drama: According to The Sun, fans can expect a more relaxed romance between new leads Anthony and Kate as the sex scenes have been curbed.
“My parents will watch this, but not with me!”
In the Q&A, Simona, born Simona Ashwini Pillai, also shared her perspective 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.”
In Detail: Simone wore some dazzling diamond earrings for a walk to complete her glamorous look.
Focus on fashion: Her skirt was frilled with olive green velvet and she wore a pair of black mesh stockings.
Finishing off the look, the star opted for a pair of long sleeve gloves in the same pattern as her skirt.
She said: “I am very proud of my heritage. [but] no, I’m not an Indian, I’m 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.
“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.”
The former Sex Education star admits she has a busy work schedule but still finds time to take care of herself, and the lack of phone information is one of the ways she achieves this.
What’s in store: Her coming out after saying the second season of the Netflix show has “a lot of sexual tension.”
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).
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.”
Shy and retiring: Simone said she wouldn’t watch it with her mother and father Lata and Gunaseharan to save herself embarrassment.
On the town: Simone posed with Jonathan and Charitra Chandran, who plays Alex Ryder on the show, who wore a glamorous floral dress.
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.
The entire season premieres on Netflix this Friday, March 25th.
On Screen: The entire season premieres on Netflix this Friday, March 25th.