Simone Ashley Discusses South Asian Representation in Rom-Com ‘Picture This’

Simone Ashley, known for her roles in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Sex Education’, stars in the new romantic comedy ‘Picture This’ as Pia, a London-based photographer. Ashley, who is of Indian Tamil descent, expresses her desire to inspire a new generation of South Asian performers, noting the lack of representation she saw growing up. She emphasizes that ‘Picture This’ celebrates South Asian culture without resorting to stereotypes, aiming to normalize the narrative by presenting a classic rom-com with a South Asian lead. Ashley hopes that all women can relate to her character, regardless of their background. The film marks Ashley’s first rom-com role and her debut as executive producer. She acknowledges the progress in diversifying the industry but recognizes the ongoing need for change, stating that her work is part of that movement. Ashley also confirmed the upcoming release of her first music album.