After receiving backlash for Anthony and Kateit’s the lack of time in front of a screen, The Bridgerton Chronicles did it again by not featuring the fan-favorite couple in any episode of the first part of season 4.
The hit Netflix series returned with the first part on Thursday, January 29, with Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) love story with Sophie (Yerin Ha) takes center stage. While Benoît received support from Brother Colin (Luke Newton), Bridgerton’s older brother – and his wife – were nowhere to be found.
Bridgerton explained Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and that of Kate (Simone Ashley) absence by sending the couple to India after the arrival of their first baby. No further information was given on their fate – or when they would return to London for the new social season.
At Anthony and Kate’s romance was at the center from Season 2 of 2022. Since most of the season focused on Anthony walking out of a yard with his sister, Edwina (Charithra Chandran), before reuniting with Kate, viewers expected the couple to play a big role in season 3.
Kate and Anthony weren’t around as much during season 3 of Bridgerton, but the fan-favorite couple still left an impression with several steamy scenes. During the first half of the third season, which began airing on Thursday, May 16, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) had just gotten off their honeymoon. Their return to society […]
Season 3, however, featured Anthony and Kate I only share a handful scenes before disappearing during a second honeymoon. They returned towards the end of the season to announce Kate’s pregnancy, which is when the couple decided to take a trip to India.
“I think the strength of sending them to India for a little while is that it leaves the door open for them to come back, schedules permitting,” the showrunner said. Jess Brownell said Teen Vogue characters in June 2024. “I think, naturally, when one of our main actors gave their life for their season, in future seasons we want to support the fact that they have other projects coming up, and asking actors to come back just to be in the background isn’t really fair to them.”
Brownell clarified that the writers room wants Bailey and Ashley back “as much” as they are capable of, adding: “They give so much, even with little looks and gestures. They are a magical couple, absolutely.”
While reflecting on the series, Brownell explained the vision they had for Kate and Anthony.
Bridgerton’s fourth season will include plenty of fan favorites – but not everyone will be returning for more episodes of the show. Bridgerton, based on the book series written by Julia Quinn, focuses on members of the wealthy Bridgerton family as they search for love in 19th century London. Season 1 followed Daphne Bridgerton […]
“I think after everything they went through in their season, obviously the goal for us this season was just to show them in a more loving place. But we also wanted to emphasize how they’re still the Kate and Anthony that you know,” she continued. “They’re still joking around and getting annoyed with each other. We wanted them to come across that way… They’re both in a much wiser place, in their relationship to relationships.”
Brownell also pointed out that Kate and Anthony weren’t the only ones on the move. Francesca (Hannah Dodd) married John (Victor Alli), which meant they were moving to his property in Scotland. At the last second, Francesca’s sister, Eloïse (Claudia Jessie) asked to accompany him, but the trio returned at the start of Season 4 and have remained important parts – until now.
“For all the stories that remain to be told, at least those of the older siblings other than Gregory and Hyacinth, I think people who know their books know that their three plots take us a little outside the tone,” Brownell concluded. “That’s one of the reasons why Colin and Penelope progressed this season was to, in the first three seasons, stay in our world that we already know, and then books three, five and six really open up the world in a way that we’re excited about. But I can’t say yet how that’s going to play out.”
Season 4 of The Bridgerton Chronicles releases part 2 on Netflix on February 26.
