Bridgerton Star Simone Ashley Talks On Set Friendship With Phoebe Dynevor

Actress Simone Ashley is perhaps best known for her character Olivia Hanan on Netflix's Sex Education, but she is fitting right in with the cast of Bridgerton, both on and off camera. Ashley told People in a new interview that everyone gets along great, but the focus is very much on work when she's on set.

"We don't really wait around much on Bridgerton," she explained. "It's always busy, busy, which is great. I don't like too much time twiddling my thumbs."

She has had time to develop more of a report with star Phoebe Dynevor, who plays the lead character of Season 1, Daphne Bridgerton, a young lady who falls in love with a troubled Duke, played by Regé-Jean Page.

"She's so lovely," Ashley said of Dynevor. "There was one week I was feeling quite stressed out about certain things and she took me to a reformer Pilates class and that was really nice. And we just had some girl time."

This isn't so unusual, according to Ashley, because the entire cast is "all so supportive of one another. We're a team and there's no egos in that sense. Everyone understands we're all in the same boat and we're in it together."

Ashley will be playing Kate Sharma, who develops a romantic interest in Daphne's brother, Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey. Eventually, Bridgerton the show should take us through the love lives of all the siblings and their inter-connected storylines. Ashley is enjoying exploring the "sporty and competitive" Kate who steals Anthony's heart.

"She listens to her own instincts and she's not easily swayed by what everyone else is doing," Ashley said. "We meet her in different vulnerable moments and discover her background a little bit more and the family trauma that she holds. There's a lot of common cause for an audience to relate to her."

The second season isn't expected out until sometimes in 2022, but Ashley says she's gotten some glimpses and they're looking good.

"I've seen little bits and it's looking amazing. I'm really proud of all of us as a cast and crew. I think everyone's smashing it."

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• What Your Favorite Champagne Brand Says About You

• Beauty Gurus Share Their Makeup Secrets for Older Women