In the wake of criticism about the overabundance of onscreen hanky-panky in "Bridgerton" Season 2, star Simone Ashley made it clear sex is an imperative part of the story. "They aren't performative sex scenes or intimate scenes, they have a meaning behind them and I think they're very earnt when the fireworks happen," the actor told Bloomberg firmly. "Bridgerton" was a mega-hit upon its initial Netflix release, in Christmas 2020, thanks in large part to its racy sequences, most of which involved "Sexy Duke" Simon Basset, played by breakout star Regé-Jean Page. The hunky actor was such a hit Page was even in line to play James Bond at one point.
Season 2 pivots to focus on Jonathan Bailey's Anthony Bridgerton and his relationship with Ashley's character, Kate. Creator Chris Van Dusen clarified, "We've never done a sex scene for the sake of doing a sex scene and I don't think we ever will. It all serves a larger purpose." Bailey added, "I think Kate and Anthony feel explicit in the way that they feel naked in front of each other. And it's a very cerebral way of exploring that sort of innate sexuality."
He also argued the show is about more than just sex, particularly in the upcoming seasons. The actor previously opened up to The Sunday Times (via People) about how he'd put his co-star at ease, admitting intimate scenes are considerably "less exposing" for men.
