Despite her anticipated appearance in Brad Pitt’s Formula One movie, Bridgerton star Simone Ashley won’t feature in the upcoming blockbuster. The director of F1 recently explained why Ashley’s part in the racing drama was cut despite praising her “incredible” talent. Speaking with People, Joseph Kosinski revealed why Ashley, who joined the film’s cast in 2024, had her role axed. Kosinski insisted his decision to leave the Bridgerton alum out of the movie was due to time constraints for the theatrical cut. “It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use. There were two or three storylines that ultimately didn’t make into the final cut,” Kosinski said.
Ashley, whose film credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid remake and Amazon Prime Video’s Picture This, landed a small, undisclosed role in F1. While Ashley will reportedly still appear in the movie, it will be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo with no dialogue. Despite the cut, Kosinski complimented Ashley’s work and hinted at a future collaboration with her. “But Simone, she’s an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer, and I would love to work with her again,” he said.
F1 Stars Pitt As A Racer Coming Out Of Retirement
F1 sees Pitt star as Sonny Hayes, a prominent Formula One driver forced to retire following a terrible crash, though he races in other disciplines. However, Hayes is convinced by Formula One team owner and friend Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) to return to the circuit to mentor prodigy Joshua “Noah” Pearce (Damson Idris) for the Apex Grand Prix (APXGX) team. Warner Bros. Pictures and Apple Original Films won the distribution rights for F1 following a bidding war in 2021. The film is a collaboration between Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. F1 premiered at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on June 16 and makes its U.S. premiere during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. The sports blockbuster also features appearances by Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies and Shea Whigham. Furthermore, several top F1 racers will appear in the movie, including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
Meanwhile, Ashley is best known for portraying Kathani “Kate” Bridgerton, the headstrong yet loyal wife of Jonathan Bailey’s Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, in Bridgerton, having joined the hit Netflix drama series during its second season. The British actor will return for Bridgerton Season 4, which is expected to be released in 2026. Bridgerton was also recently renewed by Netflix for two additional seasons. F1 opens in theaters on June 27.
Have you ever wondered why your favorite scene from a show never makes it to the final cut? You’re not alone. Fans of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton were left stunned when a much-loved moment involving a fan-favorite character was nowhere to be found in the recent season. But why was this moment axed? The explanation comes straight from the F1 Director himself, shedding light on the brutal but necessary decisions made in film editing.
Let’s dive into this behind-the-scenes bombshell that every Bridgerton lover (and Netflix binge-watcher) needs to know.
Why Was This Bridgerton Fan Favorite Cut? The Director Speaks Out
The Painful Truth About Film Editing
“It happens on every film,” the F1 Director confessed in a candid interview. That’s right. Even your most anticipated scenes might vanish before the show hits your screen. Why? Because of pacing, storytelling flow, or simple time constraints.
Which Scene Was It, Exactly?
The scene in question reportedly featured a pivotal moment with one of Bridgerton’s most beloved characters. Though details remain tightly guarded, insiders suggest it was a development that could have deepened a major character arc.
Was the Cut Scene a Mistake?
Fans think so. Social media blew up as soon as news of the cut broke. #BridgertonDeleted trended for hours, with fans begging for the “lost scene” to be released.
The Tough Decisions Directors Must Make
Cutting for Time: The Eternal Enemy of Storytelling
Have you ever tried to cram your entire vacation into a 60-second Instagram reel? That’s exactly what directors face—only with millions of dollars on the line.
The Flow Factor: Keeping Audiences Hooked
Directors aren’t just snipping away randomly. Every cut is designed to keep the story flowing smoothly. A scene that feels slow—even if it’s beautiful—can drag the whole episode down.
The “Test Screening” Effect
Before final release, episodes are often shown to select audiences. If the crowd shifts uncomfortably or checks their phones during a scene, guess what? That scene probably won’t make the cut.
Fan Reactions: Outrage, Disbelief, and Demands for Justice
Twitter Meltdown: #ReleaseTheScene
Bridgerton’s devoted fanbase erupted on Twitter the moment the director’s confession went public. The demand? Release the lost scene as bonus content.
Why Fans Feel Betrayed
For many viewers, this wasn’t just a cut scene. It was character development—a missing puzzle piece in the romantic and political drama that defines Bridgerton.
Netflix’s Possible Response
Will Netflix cave to the pressure and release the missing footage? Stranger things have happened (remember the Snyder Cut?). Stay tuned.
Is Cutting Fan Favorites a New Trend?
The Game of Thrones Effect
It’s not just Bridgerton. Remember when key scenes in Game of Thrones were chopped, changing entire character arcs? Cutting has become almost expected—even dreaded—by fans.
The Rise of Director’s Cuts
Fans now demand “Director’s Cuts” for nearly every popular show or film. Could Bridgerton be next?
Inside the Mind of an F1 Director
What Drives the Decision to Cut?
The F1 Director explained that sometimes, scenes are perfect but simply don’t fit the final puzzle. Like trying to force the wrong piece into a jigsaw—no matter how pretty, it just won’t work.
Editing as an Art Form
Editing is more than trimming footage. It’s shaping the emotional rhythm of the story, keeping audiences leaning forward, eyes glued to the screen.
What Was Lost in the Cut? Speculations and Theories
Did It Involve a Major Romance Twist?
Rumors suggest the deleted scene involved a surprise romantic confession. Imagine how that could’ve shifted fan theories for the next season!
A Political Subplot Removed?
Others speculate that a key political twist, possibly hinting at new alliances, was left on the cutting room floor.
The Bigger Picture: Why Scenes Get Cut Across the Industry
The 90-Minute Rule
Most series aim for tight, predictable runtimes. Going over by even five minutes can ruin schedule slots for broadcasters.
Ratings, Revenue, and Run Time
Longer episodes often mean higher costs. Editing scenes can keep production budgets in check.
Could This Cut Scene Return in the Future?
Bridgerton’s Blooper and Bonus Episode Potential
Netflix sometimes gifts fans with unseen footage specials. The cut Bridgerton scene might resurface in a future season’s “extras” or blooper reel.
Flashbacks in Later Seasons?
Producers might cleverly reintroduce the scene as a flashback in upcoming seasons, satisfying fans and salvaging footage.
Lessons from the Cutting Room Floor
The Harsh Reality of Showbiz
As painful as it is for fans, cutting scenes is often necessary. The director’s job is to make the best whole—not to save every beautiful part.
How Fans Influence Future Editing
Thanks to social media uproar, studios are listening more. Your tweets might just save a future scene!
Conclusion: Will We Ever See This Scene?
In the ruthless world of TV editing, nothing is ever truly gone. While the F1 Director defended the decision, fan demand could yet bring the lost Bridgerton scene into the light. Whether in a blooper reel, a special episode, or a long-awaited director’s cut—hope is not lost. Until then, viewers must content themselves with the polished masterpiece that did make it to their screens.
