After receiving backlash for Anthony and Kate‘s lack of screen time, Bridgerton has done it again by not featuring the fan-favorite couple in any episode from the first part of season 4.
The hit Netflix series returned with part 1 on Thursday, January 29, with Benedict’s (Luke Thompson) love story with Sophie (Yerin Ha) taking center stage. While Benedict received support from brother Colin (Luke Newton), the eldest Bridgerton sibling — and his wife — were nowhere to be found.
Bridgerton explained away Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate’s (Simone Ashley) absence by sending the pair to India after the arrival of their first baby. No other information was given on their whereabouts — or when they would return back to London for the newest social season.
Anthony and Kate’s romance was the focus of 2022’s season 2. Since most of the season was focused on Anthony getting out of a courtship with her sister, Edwina (Charithra Chandran), before getting together with Kate, viewers were expecting the pair to play a large role in season 3.
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Season 3, however, featured Anthony and Kate sharing only a handful of scenes before disappearing on a second honeymoon. They returned toward the end of the season to announce Kate’s pregnancy, which is when the pair decided to take a trip to India.
“I think the strength of sending them off to India for a little while is that it does leave the door open for them to come back, schedules allowing,” showrunner Jess Brownell told Teen Vogue of the characters in June 2024. “I think, understandably, when any of our lead actors have given over their lives for their season, in future seasons, we want to be supportive of the fact that they do have other projects coming in, and to ask actors to come back just to be in the background is not really fair to them.”
Brownell clarified that the writers’ room wants Bailey and Ashley back “as much” as they are able to, adding, “They give so much, even with just tiny little looks and gestures. They’re a magic pairing, absolutely.”
While reflecting on the show, Brownell explained the vision they had for Kate and Anthony.
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“I think after all they went through in their season, obviously, the focus for us this season was just showing them in a more loving place. But we also wanted to underscore how they’re still the Kate and Anthony you know,” she continued. “They still banter with each other and get annoyed at each other. We wanted them to show up in that way … They’re in a much wiser place, both of them, in their relationship to relationships.”
Brownell also pointed out that Kate and Anthony weren’t the only ones on the go. Francesca (Hannah Dodd) married John (Victor Alli), which meant they were moving to his property in Scotland. At the last second, Francesca’s sister Eloise (Claudia Jessie) asked to go with him, but the trio returned at the start of season 4 and have remained important components — so far.
“For all of the stories that are left to tell, at least of the elder siblings other than Gregory and Hyacinth, I think people who know their books know that all three of their storylines do take us a little bit outside of the ton,” Brownell concluded. “That was one reason for moving Colin and Penelope up 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 do open up the world in a way that we’re excited about. But I can’t say just yet how that will play out.”
Season 4 of Bridgerton releases part 2 on Netflix February 26.
