Simone Ashley Rocks One of This Summer’s Biggest Trends on the Cover of ‘Harper’s Bazaar UK’

The actress opened up about life before, during and after ‘Bridgerton.’

Simone Ashley at "The Mastermind" Premiere during The 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 2025. / Earl Gibson III/Deadline/Getty Images

With a flawless face like this, it’s no surprise that Simone Ashley is a cover star.

The actress is the latest celebrity to grace the cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK, and she did so while wearing one of this summer’s biggest trends: knitwear.

In a cream knit ensemble consisting of a sleeveless, cropped vest with large knitted pockets on both sides as well as a matching bottom, Ashley wowed with her natural beauty. Her sleek black hair and natural makeup brought everything together to create one outstanding cover photo.

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Sitting down for a chat with Harper’s Bazaar UK, the 30-year-old opened up about how much starring in the sophomore season of Netflix’s hit period piece Bridgerton changed her life. So much so that the series even had a profound impact on her perspective on nudity in the context of romance and embracing her body.

“It’s fantasy: it’s about ‘What if?’ and how love conquers all,” Ashley told the magazine regarding her more erotic scenes with co-star Jonathan Bailey, who played her love interest. “Bridgerton represents nudity with a sense of romance, and I felt very safe and comfortable in what I was choosing to show to the world.”

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She also divulged just how daunting overnight success can be, as it came with a large influx of fans and followers who now watch her every move. There were some struggles at first, especially pertaining to privacy. Even so, she overcame these roadblocks by focusing on what left her feeling fulfilled at the end of the day.

“When Bridgerton came out, those were some of the best years of my life, but I also had a lot of anxiety. I was coming to terms with what I wanted and what I didn’t, learning lessons about what really matters to me, taming my ego, listening to my heart. Life has changed and there are certain things I can and can’t do now,” the British actress revealed.

Simone Ashley attends the closing ceremony red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in May 2025 in Cannes, France. / Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

As for life after Bridgerton, she wants to prioritize roles that excite her. Not roles that leave her in the background or reduce her to nothing more than a clichés.

“I don’t want to play stereotypes,” she expressed. “That’s not something that inspires me as an artist. It can be intimidating being in a room full of men, sometimes really intimidating. But I think that’s about learning to grow into yourself and owning your voice.“

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