S7 EP7: Simone Ashley on kissing scenes with Jonathan Bailey, getting kicked out of drama school, and Bridgerton criticism

The Louis Theroux Podcast

Spotify Studios

Comedy, Arts, Society & Culture

4.1 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 13 April 2026

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Louis speaks with Bridgerton star Simone Ashley. Simone tells Louis about filming kissing scenes with Jonathan Bailey, getting kicked out of drama school, and how she responds to criticism about the show. Warnings: Strong language and adult themes. Links/Attachments: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33612209/ TV Show: ‘The Bear’ (2022-2026) - Hulu https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/the-bear/umc.cmc.javg04xbn3eonbgfvnaqmodk Kill Bill: Vol.1 (2003) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266697/ The Sound of Music (1965) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ Guys and Dolls (1955) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048140/ Mary Poppins (1964) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058331/ West Side Story (1961) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055614/ Evita (1996) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116250/ Song: ‘Edelweiss’ by Richard Rogers & sung by Julie Andrews (1965) https://open.spotify.com/track/4S4Qn8O0ygeqdQLF6tfxWp TV Show: ‘Bridgerton’ (2020 – present) - Netflix https://www.netflix.com/watch/81044686?source=35 TV Show: ‘Sex Education’ (2019 – 2023) - Netflix https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7767422/ Shakespeare in Love (1998) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/ Interstellar (2014) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/ Ocean’s Eleven (2001) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240772/ Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Researchers: Maan al-Yasiri and Elly Young Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Elly Young Executive Producer: Arron Fellows  ___ Open a Moneybox Cash ISA at https://moneybox.onelink.me/Cqlx/y3xncge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to the final episode of this series of the Louis Theroux podcast.
0:14.0	Today I'm joined by actress and Bridgeton superstar Simone Ashley.
0:24.3	Bridgeton is, of course, the Netflix mega hit, the fourth season of which came out earlier this year,
0:28.9	in which Simone plays Kate Sharma, the sharp-witted older sister of the diamond of the season.
0:34.9	That will mean something to Bridgeton fans.
0:38.8	Her love interest, Anthony Bridgeton fans. Her love interest,
0:43.7	Anthony Bridgeton, is played by Jonathan Bailey, Johnny to his friends. We talk about that in the chat.
0:50.5	And for me, this was an opportunity, not just to talk to a talented young actress, but also to dig deep into a series that, to be honest with you, I'd never seen before.
0:55.2	I'd seen little glimpses and was always a little baffled, as a historian, if I may,
1:02.1	by what seemed to be certain.
1:04.3	Lebertiser did take in with the historical record.
1:07.8	It's a kind of multiracial take on aristocratic England of the early 18th century.
1:15.5	We talk about that.
1:16.9	It's kind of politically controversial in some ways.
1:20.5	And in other ways, I think people love it for not.
1:23.8	Not being overly preoccupied with those themes.
1:27.3	Simone's first big break was a recurring role in another of Netflix's big success stories,
1:32.7	sex education. We don't talk about that. Sorry, there wasn't time.
1:38.1	Since Bridgeton, she starred in Disney's live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid and the romantic
1:43.1	comedy, picture this. We recorded this
1:46.1	conversation in March this year at Spotify HQ. 202026 is due to be a big year for Simone. She
1:52.5	released her debut EP Songs I Wrote in New York last week and has started filming an A24 comedy
	...

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