Simone Ashley, born Simone Ashwini Pillai, is a British actress of Tamil Indian heritage, and she’s been winning over viewers globally with her compelling performances and undeniable charisma. She entered the world on March 30, 1995, in Surrey, England, the daughter of Latha and Gunasekharan Pillai. Ashley’s upbringing was rooted in a family of scholars. Her parents, who had immigrated from India, initially nudged her toward more conventional career choices. However, Ashley’s love for the arts ultimately won out, and she decided to pursue acting, even though her family had reservations at first.
Ashley, a Redroofs Theatre School alumna from Maidenhead, also spent some of her formative years in California, living with family. With a foundation in classical music, opera, and piano, she departed school at sixteen, driven by her ambitions, a quality she readily admits to in interviews. Her diverse heritage and unwavering resolve have positioned her as a pioneering figure for South Asian representation within the Hollywood landscape.
Early Career
Ashley’s acting career took off with small parts in British television. She first appeared in the CBBC fantasy series Wolfblood in 2013, and then in Guilt in 2016, and the highly regarded crime drama Broadchurch in 2017. Her film debut came in 2018, with minor roles in Boogie Man and Kill Ben Lyk, and she gained attention in Pokémon Detective Pikachu in 2019.
Her big break came with the recurring role of Olivia Hanan in Netflix’s popular comedy-drama Sex Education, which aired from 2019 to 2021. She played a self-assured member of the popular group.
In 2021, Ashley stepped into the role of Kate Sharma, a character inspired by Kate Sheffield from Julia Quinn’s books, for the second season of Netflix’s opulent period drama, Bridgerton. Paired with Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony Bridgerton, her depiction of the clever, self-sufficient lead garnered acclaim for its palpable chemistry and emotional resonance. The season’s “enemies-to-lovers” arc quickly became a viewer favorite.
Ashley returned to the role in season 3 (2024), now as the Viscountess, making her the first South Asian actress to headline a major period drama on Netflix. Her performance cemented her position, earning her a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in European entertainment (2022) and Time’s 100 Next list.
Film Ventures and Recent Projects
Ashley broadened her filmography, taking on the role of Indira, one of Ariel’s sisters, in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, released in 2023. The following year, she played Pia in the romantic comedy Picture This, available on Amazon Prime. She lent her voice to a character in the animated feature 10 Lives, slated for 2024, and made a fleeting appearance in the racing film F1, which is set for release in 2025, though much of her performance was ultimately trimmed during post-production.
Perhaps most significantly, Ashley completed filming in 2025 for The Devil Wears Prada 2, a sequel to the beloved film, which is scheduled for a 2026 release. She stars alongside Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in this highly anticipated project. Additionally, she headlined the thriller This Tempting Madness, sharing the screen with Austin Stowell.
Ashley, beyond her acting, is a fashion icon, appearing on the covers of British Vogue, ELLE, and others. She’s a global ambassador for brands such as L’Oréal Paris and has made a splash at events like the Met Gala and Milan Fashion Week.
Privately, Ashley is discreet. She publicly acknowledged her single status in early 2025 following her breakup with Constantin “Tino” Klein. Later, she fueled romance speculation with businessman Tim Sykes after they were seen together at the 2025 US Open.
At 30 (as of December 2025), Simone Ashley’s star continues to rise, a blend of talent, poise, and cultural significance. With significant film projects in the works, she remains one of Hollywood’s most promising talents.
