In terms of actresses who’ve damaged into mainstream success over the previous couple of years, there isn’t any higher title I can consider than Simone Ashley. Whereas she’s been within the business for a bit, the actress blew up from her function on Bridgerton. Now, with the discharge of Image This, the actress talks about how vital it’s for South Asian illustration in media.
Image This, a brand new movie from Amazon Prime that was launched on the 2025 film schedule, stars Ashley, and it is her first important movie function. I requested her what it feels wish to star as an Indian-British girl in a rom-com, as she has mentioned she wished to see girls like her on the large display screen. She gushed in regards to the script and the way she feels everybody ought to belong on this rom-com world, which is what led her to tackle the function:
I fell in love with the script. I liked it in its simplicity and the way it was only a story about how love is feasible and self-discovery. And I used to be actually drawn to Pia’s character. I really like how formidable and chaotic and fiery and passionate she is. I really like rom-coms. I grew up watching them, and I all the time wished to be a part of that world, and to see somebody that appears like me lead a film like this – I believe it is actually vital ‘trigger I need everybody to really feel like they belong on this area.
The movie follows a younger girl named Pia (Simone Ashley) who is about up on 5 blind dates when a religious guru predicts that she is going to meet “the love of her life” over the following 5 individuals she goes out with. From there, hilarities ensue.
Ashley’s lead function is a giant second for South Asian illustration within the rom-com world in Western media, which does not occur all that usually. We have had some success, like Mindy Kaling creating By no means Have I Ever (a nice teen romance present) or the newest comedy to come back to Hulu, Deli Boys. However now to have it unfold to the rom-com area is solely wonderful.
Simone Ashley’s affect has solely grown over the previous a number of years. Whereas she was a part of the Intercourse Schooling forged, her fame elevated after Season 2 of Bridgerton, the place she took on the function of Kate Sharm. Now, followers are nonetheless swooning over her and Anthony.
Whereas filming for Bridgerton has its ups and downs—just like the horrors of carrying a corset—there isn’t any denying that it has solely made Ashley’s attain greater. Now, with the discharge of Image This, she promotes South Asian illustration. And who is aware of? This new little rom-com function may find yourself changing into top-of-the-line motion pictures on the platform this yr.
Now, we are able to add even extra nice South Asian characters to our checklist of superior ones in motion pictures as a result of Pia is undoubtedly on that checklist. And as I await the subsequent season of Bridgerton and extra Kate, I’ll rewatch Image This time and again – and perhaps discover my love guru whereas we’re at it.