Simone Ashley is having quite the moment. The British-Indian actress who captured hearts as Kate Sharma in Netflix's steamy period

Since her breakout role in Bridgerton, our Spring Issue cover star has quickly risen to A-list status. Up next, she masters the rom-com leading lady.

Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley says returning to the Netflix series has been "so nostalgic." Ashley, 29, has portrayed Kate Sharma on the show since its sophomore season, which focused on Kate's romance with Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey).

Simone Ashley grew up watching some of the most iconic British romantic comedies of the late ’90s and early 2000s— Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Bend It Like Beckham. But she always wanted to see a dark-skinned British-Indian woman like herself at the center of a glossy love story infused with equal parts heart and humor.

Sex Education icon Simone Ashley, who was born to Tamil parents, stars as photographer Pia in the new romantic-comedy movie, Picture This

Simone Ashley believes the movie industry is trending in the right direction in regards to diversity. Michelle Obama will talk divorce, newfound freedom and friendship—but refuses to delve into politics—on a newly announced podcast with her brother,

Whenever the West decides to ‘represent’ the non-resident Indian community on screen, Indians instinctively reach for a pinch of salt—sometimes, a whole fistful. There are only two ways to react: either be mildly pleased that we made it into the film at all or groan at how they have managed to get everything wrong,