British actress Simone Ashley has set pulses racing as the new face of Burberry's highly anticipated summer 2026 campaign. The 31-year-old star, best known for her role as Kate Sharma in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, looked worlds away from the Regency era as she stripped down to a skimpy black Burberry bikini for the luxurious photoshoot, which took place in South Africa.
A Nostalgic British Theme
The campaign is creatively themed around Britain's iconic lidos, celebrating the open-air pools that become vibrant community hubs during the summer months. Daniel Lee, Burberry's Chief Creative Officer, elaborated on the inspiration, stating: 'A lido holds a particular kind of nostalgia for the British. The moment the sun comes out, we make the most of the weather. We wanted to bring to life a warm summer's day spent in and around the water with friends.'
Stunning Visuals and Star-Studded Cast
In the captivating images, Simone Ashley exudes elegance and confidence. She was photographed relaxing by a pool, floating on a board in crystal blue water, and cooling down with an ice lolly while wearing a Burberry sarong wrapped around her waist. The actress shared her excitement on Instagram, posting a pool snap with the caption: 'So excited to share my @burberry summer campaign!!! This was so much fun, in the South African sun.'
The campaign also features a star-studded ensemble. Joining Simone is Hunger Games actor Tom Blyth, who showcased his chiseled physique. They were accompanied by models Alva Claire, Babacar N'Doye, and Sacha Quenby, along with a cast of synchronised swimmers and divers, adding dynamic energy to the visuals.
Fan Reactions and Career Highlights
Fans flooded Simone's social media with enthusiastic compliments, praising her appearance with comments such as 'Melanin is popping....queen', 'Hot as hell queen', 'BODYYY GOALS', 'Absolute gorgeous Simone', and 'You are so beautiful I love'.
Beyond this campaign, Simone Ashley's career continues to flourish. Born in England to Tamil parents from India, she has expanded her repertoire from supporting roles in series like Broadchurch and The Sister to becoming an in-demand film star. Her recent projects include cameos in Detective Pikachu, Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid, Brad Pitt's racing drama F1, and an unspecified role in the upcoming The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Personal Life and Future Prospects
On a personal note, it was revealed last December that Simone had split from her businessman boyfriend, Tim Sykes, just months after their romance began, following reports of their public display of affection at the US Open in New York.
Despite her busy schedule, Simone has expressed loyalty to Bridgerton, indicating she would clear her calendar if producers invite her back. In an interview on The Louis Theroux podcast, she reflected on the show's familial atmosphere, saying: 'I think he set a great example, of I guess for a better word, the loyalty to the show, it is a show about family and returning home and returning to the family and I think a lot of people follow that suit. I particularly learned a lot from that example. And now when we go back, there is that environment of coming home and feeling like we're part of a family.'
This Burberry campaign marks a significant milestone in Simone Ashley's evolving career, blending high fashion with nostalgic British culture in a visually stunning summer showcase.
