Simone Ashley Can Do It All
14th March, 2025
Words by Rebecca Cope
Photography by Rachell Smith
Styling by Karen Clarkson
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When I catch up with 29-year-old Simone Ashley, she’s in London, doing non-stop interviews during a 15-hour day of film promo for her upcoming project, Picture This. But just 24 hours early, I could swear I’d seen her sitting on the front row at the Prada autumn/ winter 2025 show at Milan Fashion Week. “It’s back-to-back at the moment, but we love it!” she laughs. “At this stage in my life, my schedule is pretty busy. I’m so focused on myself and my work.”
One of the nation’s most exciting up-and-coming actresses following breakout roles in Sex Education and Bridgerton, it would be fair to say that Ashley is in demand at the moment. Not only is she promoting Picture This, which she also executive produced, but she’s in the studio working on music, somehow squeezing in appearances at the major fashion shows (she was also front row at Calvin Klein in New York earlier last month) and training for the Hackney Half (“I need to set up the fundraising page for that, thanks for reminding me,” she says when I bring it up). And then there’s the small matter of her upcoming role in F1, alongside the likes of Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem – which has seen her ticking off a bucket list of international grand prix.
With Picture This, she’s turning the traditional rom-com on its head, showing that women of colour, and specifically those of South Asian descent, can have their Bridget Jones moment too. The film, which arrives on Amazon on 6th March, sees Ashley playing Pia, a headstrong photographer who is also perennially single. When her younger sister gets engaged before her, a spiritual guru tells her that one of the next five men she dates will be “the one”. Cue hilariously inappropriate matches orchestrated by her family and friends.
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What first attracted you to the role of Pia in Picture This?
I loved that Pia is just super ambitious and passionate, slightly hot headed and fiery. I love that in characters, it just gives them such a long way to go on the running track. I also loved that this was her movie – that she’s the lead. I grew up watching all the ‘90s rom- coms. Picture This was influenced by that world – films like Bend it like Beckham and Bridget Jones – and the fact that she was South Asian and also the heroine of this film was important to me.
Did you base her on anyone in particular?
Well actually, she’s based on my best friend Pia – hence the name! I called her when I was on set in the middle of filming. I was like, by the way, I never told you this, but she’s based on you. She’s such an inspiration: really hard-working and strong, and she’s always there on the end of the phone whenever I need her. I’m so grateful to have her in my life.
Pia is about to turn 30 in the film and is facing all those stereotypical pressures that come along with it – getting married, having children. You’re about to turn 30 as well – is it something that you’ve experienced yourself?
I am just really trying to focus on everything that I am grateful for in my life right now. I don’t really have that pressure. I think you know when you find love and it fits just right, it could come at any time in your life, whether it’s early or late. I kind of defy any social expectations for women to have pressure to settle.
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This is your first project as executive producer. What was that experience like?
It was a big learning experience for me. You really get to zoom out and see a wider perspective of how a story is told. For me, it was so important to make sure all the cast felt like they could have their input, and they did. They were all such talented actors that put so much thoughtfulness into their characters, and their characters’ journeys, and that for me is what carried this movie. It was a team effort for the whole cast and crew.
Bend it like Beckham has long been praised for its realistic and nuanced portrayal of British-Indian family life. As an executive producer, was this something that you were focused on getting right as well?
Yes definitely. As soon as I was brought in to read the script, the producers, 42 M&P, gave me so much influence and asked for my ideas. We did so much development on the script, and flipped it upside down. I wanted to make sure that the culture was celebrated and any stereotypes were defied or twisted, so there’s a surprise for the audience. And I think I just wanted to make sure that Pia was just humanised as much as possible. I wanted brown women especially to see her and realise that they too can belong in that world of the rom com.
There’s a scene in the film that sees Pia filmed and posted on social media. What’s your approach to social media in real life?
I try not to look at it too much. I think I’m very confident in who I am, and I know that all I want to do with my work is give a great example to anyone looking up to me. I want to show them that you can be flawed and confident at the same time – I’m not perfect by any means. I just try to focus on my work and my craft, and my friends and everyone around me keep me grounded. Social media can be distracting sometimes, but I just try not to feel overly consumed by it.
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Picture This is with Amazon Studios and your breakout roles in Sex Education and Bridgerton were also on a streaming service, Netflix. What do you think of the rise of streaming services?
I think we’re in a golden era of streaming right now. It’s been great for promoting diversity – it’s so important to see yourself in these worlds, like Bridgerton. But I am also a champion of the cinema, it’s so key that we continue to go out and have that cinematic experience in person, to honour everything that goes into the movie-making process.
The entire cast of Bridgerton have been doing very well recently. Do you all stay in touch when you aren’t filming?
Everyone on Bridgerton is just so supportive of each other. It truly is like coming back home to a family. I was there a few weeks ago filming with the girls, and that was just so amazing. All the girls on that show are just super so I feel very empowered when I’m around them and everyone. We're all so different from each other, yet so united. I’m very grateful to be part of it.
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You have a role in the upcoming Brad Pitt film, F1. What was that like?
It was the most incredible experience. I'm so grateful to Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer for having me be a part of that movie. I was really excited to travel the world and be at all the Grand Prixs – it was the most exhilarating and fun experience I’ve had in my life. I liked F1 before but now I’m a big fan!
With so many work commitments, how do you decompress?
I will just chill at home, or spend time with friends – whether it’s going for a walk with the dogs, or watching a movie together. My best friend Emily does my nails too – the ultimate self care.
Picture This is on Prime Video now.
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Talent: @simoneashley
Photographer and Founder: @rachell_photo
Casting Director: @theannabelbrog
Interview: @bexcope
Styling: @karenclarkson @thewallgroup
Makeup: @babskymakeup @premierhairandmakeup Using @lorealparis
Hair: @shonju @thewallgroup
Manicure: @emilyroselansley @thewallgroup Using @byredo
DOP & Edit: @jamessharpestudio
Defined PR: @rmpublicityofficial
Post: @voyteckretouch
Photo Assistant: @_aklaudija
Photo Assistant: @ethanhumphries
Styling Assistant: Christiana Alaoye
Styling Assistant: Isabol Atkinson
Location: @loftstudioslondon