Bridgerton fans on X accuse show of sidelining Simone Ashley and her character Kate Sharma

By Abby Amoakuh

Published Feb 20, 2025 at 01:11 PM

Reading time: 3 minutes

66135

Were Simone Ashley and her character Kate Sharma sidelined by the Bridgerton team? Many fans of the hit TV show seem to think so, arguing that the only leading lady of colour was snubbed of essential onscreen-time and off-screen promotion. The conversation around Ashley’s alleged mistreatment ties into longstanding debates about the portrayal of people of colour in the romance genre. Primarily that they are frequently desexualised or exoticized, often relegated to supporting roles rather than main ones.

When a new teaser for the fourth season of Bridgerton was released last week, fans were disappointed to see no sign of Kate in the clip, despite the fact that she has been confirmed for the upcoming series.

Given that Ashley’s character is the only meaningful one missing from the teaser, her absence immediately sparked a lot of heated discourse among fans of the show.

Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton has been praised for its inclusion of different ethnicities in the predominantly white historical romance space. By doing so, Rhimes was also able to highlight the way in which history has been white-washed, most remarkably through her portrayal of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz as a biracial woman, to highlight her African ancestry.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bridgerton (@bridgertonnetflix)

Yet, the show also fell into the pitfalls of having a strong focus on interracial relationships. This led to accusations that Bridgerton presents a “colourblind narrative,” where it tries to ignore the complexities and nuances of race and identity, effectively erasing the background of its leads.

So it didn’t take long until a now-viral thread on X with over 1 million views outlined numerous instances where the team behind Bridgerton seemingly sidelined Ashley and her onscreen character.

“Here’s a list of instances where Bridgerton production has disrespected, excluded, sidelined or overlooked Simone Ashley and/ or her character, Kate Sharma, in a pattern of behaviour that seems to single her out among the other leads of previous, current and future seasons,” the introduction to the thread stated.

One part of the thread cited: “Simone Ashley confirmed her return to season 3 of Bridgerton back in 2022. Yet, when season 3 cast was officially announced by Netflix Tudum website months later, Simone was not included in the cast list. This would not be the only time where she is excluded from official announcements concerning upcoming seasons.”

The thread, started by user chrkrose, also pointed out that Ashley and her co-lead Bailey allegedly did not partake in promotional photoshoots or magazine covers like the other leading couples, nor did they sit down for joint interviews as a pair to discuss their characters’ love story.

@netflix

If Anthony was a colour, he'd be lilac. #Bridgerton #austok #netty

♬ original sound - Netflix - Netflix

Of course, the backlash intensified as the rest of the internet started to get wind of Ashley’s perceived mistreatment.

“Literally from day one Kate (now VISCOUNTESS BRIDGERTON mind you) has been denied the bare minimum afforded to every single other Bridgerton female romantic lead: promo solely with her love interest, a backstory, a wedding, a baby and now they’ve even denied her her married name,” one X user wrote.

While some disagreed with the reality or extent of Ashley’s treatment, especially considering that her career is currently flourishing, the ongoing discourse still seems essential to examine the complexities of representation and promotion in media.

It also highlights the need for consistent and equitable treatment of actors of colour in leading roles.

Keep On Reading

By Abby Amoakuh

Bridgerton event compared to Glasgow Willy Wonka experience after guests paid $250 for raw food

By Abby Amoakuh

Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan hits back at journalist who shamed her for nude scene

By Malavika Pradeep

Men have to buy the ring and women shouldn’t make the first move: introducing the ‘Romance Gap’

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Could the next pope be Black? Peter Turkson’s papal bid could rewrite over 1,500 years of Vatican history

By Abby Amoakuh

Harry Potter reboot hit with racist backlash for casting Black actor Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape

By Eliza Frost

Jennifer Lawrence weighs in on The Summer I Turned Pretty love triangle, revealing she is Team Jeremiah

By Abby Amoakuh

John Lithgow fumbles JK Rowling question as Harry Potter TV show cast struggles with fan backlash

By Abby Amoakuh

South Asian creators call out influencers for cultural appropriation after seeing scandi scarves at Coachella

By Charlie Sawyer

Johnny Depp plays the victim once more and anoints himself crash test dummy for #MeToo

By Charlie Sawyer

First look at $1 billion UK mini city where controversial HBO Harry Potter series will be filmed

By Charlie Sawyer

Everything you need to know about toxic gossip site Tattle Life and how its founder finally got revealed

By Eliza Frost

How The Summer I Turned Pretty licensed so much of Taylor Swift’s discography for its soundtrack 

By Eliza Frost

Gavin Casalegno calls out Team Jeremiah bullying in The Summer I Turned Pretty fandom

By Charlie Sawyer

Sabrina Carpenter accused of centering men on controversial album cover

By Eliza Frost

Sabrina Carpenter says you need to get out more if you think Man’s Best Friend artwork is controversial 

By Eliza Frost

Zayn Malik’s new song suggests One Direction era wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows

By Charlie Sawyer

Lawmakers pressure Trump to provide evidence that Venezuelan asylum seeker Andry Hernández Romero is still alive

By Charlie Sawyer

Meghan Trainor is not responsible for eradicating fatphobia. But her fans also have a right to be upset

By Charlie Sawyer

Harry Potter star defends Tom Felton over his controversial comments on JK Rowling’s transphobia

By Charlie Sawyer

Transformers director Michael Bay officially confirmed to direct movie about viral Skibidi Toilet meme