Julia Quinn, the mastermind behind the Bridgerton book series, praises newcomer Simone Ashley's performance as Kate Sharma and says audiences will adore her character. Bridgerton season 2 is one of the most hotly anticipated Netflix television premieres of the year, and it will finally arrive in just a couple of weeks.
Bridgerton season 2 will adapt the second novel in Quinn's series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. After watching his sister Daphne find love in season 1, Anthony takes center stage for his own romance. The eldest Bridgerton has finally accepted he must find a wife, though he still doesn't believe love is an important factor in a relationship. So when Anthony begins courting popular newcomer Edwina Sharma , he must also contend with her protective sister Kate, who doubts his intentions.
“A lesser actress might have allowed Kate to devolve into a Taming of the Shrew caricature, but Simone tempers Kate's fierceness with all the vulnerability and devotion to family I worked so hard to bring to the character. Kate is a very different heroine from Daphne, but I think viewers are going to adore her. Once the world sees Simone Ashley in action, we'll be clamoring for a Kate Sharma action figure.
Bridgerton season 1 turned its leads Page and Dynevor into international stars, so it stands to reason that if Anthony and Kate have the same passion as Simon and Daphne did, there will be a great deal of fan enthusiasm for Bailey and Ashley. From the various peeks at Bridgerton season 2 that fans have received so far, Ashley's portrayal of Kate seems pitch perfect. She nails Kate's headstrong nature and feels like the perfect foil for rakish Anthony.
It also sounds like the series will be a bit different this time around. Sure, Bridgerton will still have plenty of scandal and steamy scenes to entertain audiences, but the dynamic at its center will be vastly different from what came before. As Quinn said, Kate isn't Daphne, so Bridgerton season 2 won't be treading the same steps as season 1. That only makes what's ahead more exciting.