Simone Ashley is ditching “the ton” to join the cast of Only Murders in the Building.
The 31-year-old actress has been a prominent figure in Hollywood ever since her breakout role in Netflix’s period drama Bridgerton. Since starring as the fierce and protective Kate Sharma in season 2, she has lent her talents to several other hit projects like 51, The Little Mermaid, and, most recently, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
There is speculation she could reunite with her co-star Meryl Streep on screen as she joins the Season 6 cast of Hulu’s hit crime series Only Murders in the Building, which famously centers around Martin Short, Steven Martin, and Selena Gomez.
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Reports reveal Simone was spotted on Friday, May 29, leaving the set in London, where production has shifted to continue the storyline last seen in the Season 5 finale.
In the final scenes of the popular mystery-comedy series, the main characters react to the unexpected death of Cinda Canning, played by Tina Fey, which sends them overseas for their next investigation.
Hulu officially renewed Only Murders in the Building in October 2025; however, production hadn’t begun until May 19. The show shared news of the first day of filming on Instagram with a cast photo and the caption, “Season 6 Day 1!”
The announcement came in the midst of production for Bridgerton’s Season 5. While also confirming that the next storyline will focus on Francesca Bridgerton and Michaela Stirling’s love story, Netflix announced on March 24 that filming was underway.
The new setting of Only Murders in the Building makes things more convenient for Simone, considering Bridgerton is primarily filmed across England.
Nevertheless, the actress has not been spotted on the Netflix set, nor has she been confirmed as part of the cast returning for the fifth season. However, she has made it clear that she will always make time for the series.
“I can only comment on what me and Jonny [Bailey] have done,” Simone said on the April 14 episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast. “We just really make sure that our schedules can just make it work.”
The actress and her co-star feel a “loyalty” to Bridgerton, explaining, “When we go back, there is that environment of coming home and feeling like we’re part of a family.”
Although Simone isn’t confirmed to appear in Season 5 yet, showrunner Jess Brownell has hinted her character will return in Eloise Bridgerton’s season, which is expected to be the sixth storyline.
“I also am really partial to the relationship between Kate and Eloise,” she told People in March. “That’s something that I’d like to continue following in the future. “So when we eventually get to Eloise’s season, Kate is someone I’ll be very interested to have around, if I can,” she added.