Sex Education's Simone Ashley cast as lead in Bridgerton season 2

Sex Education star Simone Ashley will be the focus of the next season of Netflix's Bridgerton.

The 25-year-old will play Kate Sharma, the love interest of the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony, played by Johnathan Bailey.

The second season of the Netflix hit will be based on Julia Quinn's novel The Viscount Who Loved Me. The writers of the show have changed the character's name from Kate Sheffield to Kate Sharma but she is expected to retain her fiery wit and boldness.

The show is set in 19th century England. The first season focused on Simon and Daphne, played by Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor. Bridgerton revolves around the eight siblings in the Bridgerton family, all named alphabetically. If the show follows the books, there should be a season for each sibling.

The second season will begin production this spring.

Bridgerton stars Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Ruby Barker as Marina Thompson, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, and Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, as well as Luke Thompson, Luke Newton, Ruby Stokes, Will Tilston, Florence Hunt, Ruth Gemmell, Bessie Carter, Harriet Cains, Polly Walker, Ben Miller, Sabrina Bartlett, Martins Imhangbe, and Lorraine Ashbourne.

Julie Andrews voices Lady Whistledown, the infamous pamphlet writer who knows everything about everyone.

According to Netflix, Bridgerton was one of its biggest shows ever. An approximate 82 million households around the world tuned into the show in its first 28 days online, surpassing the firm's own projections.

The show made the top 10 in every country except Japan — hitting number one in 83 countries including the US, UK, Brazil, France, India and South Africa.