Female agency, sisterhood and friendships are front and center in the upcoming season of Bridgerton, thanks to newcomer Kate Sharma, played by Simone Ashley.
But Ashley is not new to the business of groundbreaking TV. She plays the intimidating yet secretly kind hearted popular girl Olivia Hanan in Netflix sensation, too, subverts expectations in more ways than one. Its scandalous plots and salacious writing push the boundaries of a traditional period drama, which has historically lacked representation.
“Finding South Asian women with darker skin and making sure that they were represented on screen authentically and truthfully feels like something that we haven’t seen nearly enough of,” said executive producer Shonda Rhimes in a recent press release. “I felt like it was time for us to make sure that we were seeing [that] as much as possible.” This season, two of the show’s lead actors, Ashley and Chandran, offer that representation.
“What I love about the show is that in moments of deep sadness, and in moments of jubilation, you see them reverting back to their culture,” said Chandran at the press conference. “When Edwina is particularly upset, what Kate does to make her feel better are very traditional Indian things, like oiling your hair. And in moments of jubilation, like the Haldi scene, that’s what you see.”
“I remember filming the Haldi scene so well… I never really imagined we’d ever be on a set one day performing a scene like that,” Ashley reflected. “There was so much of our own personal experience that we brought to those moments as well.”season two promises more intrigue, gossip and scandal. But while its love conquest plotlines are filled with drama, it simultaneously highlights the enduring strength of sisterhood.
Kate’s role as the protective older sister and her connection to her culture stick out as heartwarming pillars of the upcoming season. As we prepare to watch Simone Ashley discover her voice through Kate, we’re rooting for her already.
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