‘Sidelined’: ‘F1’ Director Faces Backlash For Simone Ashley Cuts

Fans say the changes are part of a larger pattern of Hollywood erasure.

“F1” — a new film about a team of Formula One drivers — is drawing fan backlash for sizable cuts that have been made to actress Simone Ashley’s role.

Ashley, a British-Indian actress who’s known for starring in “Bridgerton” and “Sex Education,” had previously participated in promotional interviews for the film and touted her experience filming it. Viewers in advance screenings, however, noticed that her role had been cut down to a mere cameo without speaking lines — something Director Joseph Kosinski confirmed to People.

That revelation has prompted many observers to condemn the way Ashley’s been treated and cite it as the latest example of Hollywood’s erasure of actors of color. “Ashley’s case fits into a broader pattern. Actors of color are regularly featured in trailers and promo material only to be sidelined in final edits,” a Feminegra post reads. Ashley had previously said her role was “very small,” but described attending several Formula One races as part of the filming.

Her experience has been compared to that of “The Good Place” star Manny Jacinto — a Filipino Canadian actor whose role was significantly reduced in “Top Gun: Maverick,” which was also directed by Kosinski. Jacinto has said he did flight training and a strenuous fitness regimen to prepare for the film, only to see his part slashed to a non-speaking role that appeared for just seconds on screen in the final version of the movie.

Kosinski has said the cuts of Ashley’s character were a standard part of the editing process, and he praised her talent.