Simone Ashley, the breakout star of Bridgerton and Sex Education, was originally announced as a major addition to F1: The Movie—the high-stakes racing drama starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. But when the film premiered on June 16, 2025, Ashley’s much-anticipated role had been drastically reduced to what fans described as a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” cameo. This unexpected change has raised questions and sparked wider conversations about editorial decisions in Hollywood and the treatment of women and people of color in major productions.
🎬 From Major Supporting Role to Background Cameo
Ashley’s casting in F1 was first confirmed in July 2024, with insiders reporting that her character would be emotionally and narratively linked to Damson Idris’s rookie F1 driver. She filmed key scenes during live Formula 1 races in 2024, including the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, working under high-pressure, one-take conditions amid the roar of real crowds and racing cars.
Director Joseph Kosinski, best known for Top Gun: Maverick, acknowledged this intense production environment and Ashley’s professionalism. However, during final editing, her role—along with at least two other characters—was cut substantially in an effort to streamline the film’s pacing and keep the narrative focused on Pitt and Idris’s dynamic.
“It’s something that happens on every film,” Kosinski told Entertainment Weekly. “Simone was incredible, and I personally told her how much we appreciated her work. I’d love to work with her again on a future project.”
🗣️ Simone Ashley’s Reaction: Gracious, Yet Disappointed?
Although Ashley hasn’t directly addressed the role reduction post-release, she did speak candidly in earlier press rounds, admitting:
“I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie. It was one of the craziest things I’ve ever been part of.”
She described the filming process as exhilarating and chaotic, comparing it to live theatre:
“We’d get one take, sometimes surrounded by 20,000 people. It was loud and fast and real.”
Still, many of her fans have expressed frustration online, especially given the promotion she initially received in early press releases, and her strong visibility at F1 events throughout 2024.
🎯 Representation Under the Microscope
Ashley’s minimized presence in F1: The Movie adds to ongoing concerns in Hollywood about the pattern of casting diverse talent for marketing visibility—only to sideline or underuse them in the final product. Critics note that this situation mirrors previous examples where women of color were initially promoted as central to the narrative, only to have their roles diluted or excised.
Social media reactions were swift, with some fans accusing the studio of “diversity-washing” the cast announcements to boost interest, while failing to deliver meaningful representation in the film itself.
🎞 About F1: The Movie
- Director: Joseph Kosinski
- Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
- Cinematography: Claudio Miranda
- Release: Premiered June 16, 2025 (select IMAX), with wide release set for July 2025
The film blends fiction and reality, following Sonny Hayes (Pitt), a retired driver returning to race alongside rookie Joshua Pearce (Idris). It was shot at actual Formula 1 races across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, adding an unprecedented level of realism.
⚠️ Final Thoughts
Simone Ashley’s limited screen time may not reflect her talent or on-set contributions, but the incident has opened another conversation about creative decisions and equity in the film industry. Fans continue to express hopes that her brief appearance in F1 won’t be the last we see of her in big-budget Hollywood films—especially given her grace, commitment, and rising star power.
