Bridgerton Tea: There’s A New Lady Coming To London, Set To Rival Daphne?!

Season one of “Bridgerton” was a record-shattering success — and, by the looks of it, they plan to keep the party going for season two. It has been announced that a new flawless face will hit the high society scene for the sophomore season and she’s coming to shake things up!

Simone Ashley has been tapped to saunter her way into Shondaland’s hugely popular Regency-era period drama series based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels. The “Sex Education” star will play Kate Sharma — the love interest of Anthony Bridgerton, Daphne’s oldest brother, as they look to find him a suitable mate for marriage.

Deadline describe the character as:

“Newly arrived in London, Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools — Anthony Bridgerton very much included.”

Get ready to fall in love with Simone Ashley, who will play Kate in Season 2 of Bridgerton.

Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools — Anthony Bridgerton very much included. ` pic.twitter.com/xdVilOjL4Y

— Netflix (@netflix) February 15, 2021

It’s purely coincidental that the character’s name, just as it was in Quinn’s novel, is Kate. Thus, the fan comparisons to real life royals, and sister-in-laws, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, comes as no surprise. The similarities are obvious, but it remains to be seen how much art ends up imitating royal life.

In casting Ashley, the show is also keeping in line with it’s focus on a culturally and racially diverse early 1800s London. The 25-year-old actress, who is of Indian descent, joins several major Black characters, including the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). We love to see it!