Simone Ashley and Regé-Jean Page just proved what many fans knew all along: their success was never dependent on Bridgerton. Deadline reported that Ashley will star in The Devil Wears Prada 2, while Page will lead and executive produce the Apple TV+ adaptation of Funny You Should Ask. These announcements landed back-to-back, creating a moment of public celebration for two actors who endured both erasure and backlash within the Bridgerton ecosystem.

Readers will remember that this isn’t the first time the show has failed its actors of color. From tokenistic casting to storylines that vanish without explanation, the show’s glossy inclusion often masked a deeper lack of care. These new roles are not just wins. They’re reminders that Simone and Regé didn’t need the protection of prestige TV to succeed.

Bridgerton Framed Them As Diversity Wins Then Left Them Behind

Regé-Jean Page left Bridgerton after Season 1 with little institutional support. Despite being the breakout star, Netflix failed to protect him from a racist fandom that directed vitriol his way once his character’s story wrapped. Simone Ashley stepped into a lead role for Season 2, but by Season 3, her visibility dropped without warning.

Fans noticed. Images from Bridgerton’s Season 4 wrap party revealed a nearly all-white PR team, renewing concerns about behind-the-scenes diversity.

This lack of representation helps explain the show’s pattern of sidelining its characters of color in marketing. From portraying Kate Bridgerton as a lone dinosaur in Redbubble fan art, to promoting Penelope’s romance while ignoring Kanthony during “shaadi season,” to the ongoing disrespect of referring to Kate by her maiden name while all other newly married women are called by their married names, these choices reflect a clear pattern of marginalization. These choices don’t happen in a vacuum. When PR teams lack racial diversity, white characters are centered by default, humanized, celebrated, and sold as the face of the franchise. Characters like Kate are treated as afterthoughts, even when they lead the story.

While this doesn’t reflect the entire production team, Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury, has publicly shared that even on set, Black actors still face poor lighting and must advocate for basic equity. Her comments highlight a deeper issue: diversity in casting means little when technical standards still fail Black performers.

Industry Shifts Reflect Their Persistence, Not Studio Generosity

In June 2025, it was revealed that Ashley’s role in F1: The Movie was cut entirely. While disappointing, the moment offered a window into how easily studios discard rising people of color. Just three weeks later, she secured a role in The Devil Wears Prada 2, a full-circle shift that validates her staying power. Page, on the other hand, didn’t just book a lead role; he’s producing, shaping the work he stars in. That kind of control matters, especially in an industry where on-screen diversity has increased, but recent analysis shows that crew positions, particularly in senior roles, remain overwhelmingly white, with people of color holding just 10 to 12 percent of those jobs and even fewer in positions of authority.

The timing of their casting news coincides with broader industry changes. Representation increased because performers like Simone and Regé kept going despite being sidelined, not because Hollywood offered them easy pathways.

Fans recognized the significance immediately. Social media lit up with celebration, vindication, and joy. The glee came not just from the announcements but from the shared memory of how these stars were once cast aside by a show that sold diversity without sustaining it.

Their wins also answer those who doubted their range or relevance outside the corset drama. Simone Ashley now headlines a major fashion sequel. Regé-Jean Page is developing work for a global platform.
Prestige projects have long been criticized for showcasing diversity on screen while failing to protect or support the very actors they promote. These latest castings remind us that visibility must be paired with power, and that Black and Brown actors deserve roles shaped around their potential, not just studio optics. Regé-Jean Page and Simone Ashley are no longer breakthrough names. They are the ones shaping what comes next.

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