Why don’t Anthony and Kate appear at the beginning of Bridgerton 4?

The Bridgerton season 4 has already premiered, and a fact that fans noticed was the absence of two major characters during the first batch of episodes released this Thursday: Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his wife Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). Officially, both are missing in the first four episodes, a decision that the show addressed subtly from the first minutes of the first chapter.

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Through a casual dialogue from Mrs. Wilson (Geraldine Alexander), the family’s housekeeper, it is revealed where the couple is while they watch Colin and Penelope care for their newborn. «I’m glad the viscountess had her baby in India», Mrs. Wilson comments, confirming that Anthony and Kate are far from London after the birth of the new heir and son of the eldest Bridgerton.

How Anthony Bridgerton’s Absence Affects Season 4

With Anthony’s absence, we see how Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) has had to assume the responsibilities of the “older brother” of the family during season 4.

In one of his first interactions with Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), Benedict explains that he resides in the family home only half the time, while substituting for the Viscount in his official duties.

For his part, young Gregory (Will Tilston) was also absent during the first episodes due to his stay at Eton, and upon his return in the fourth chapter, he surprised the audience with an evident “glow-up”.

When do Anthony and Kate return?

The good news for the «Kanthony shippers» is that the absence of Jonathan Bailey will not be for the entire season 4 of Bridgerton, and Anthony is expected to return in Part 2, scheduled for February 26, 2026. The same actor previously confirmed that, despite his busy schedule with the promotion of Wicked, he reserved some specific weeks to be able to record his scenes in this season.

“Obviously, being the older brother, I will be there to support the young ones on our journey,” Bailey stated in recent interviews, reaffirming his commitment to the saga that catapulted him to global stardom. His return will be fundamental to close Benedict’s arc and guide the family in the outcome of this installment.

What is Bridgerton Season 4 about? 

The fourth season of Bridgerton is inspired by Julia Quinn’s acclaimed third novel, “An Offer from a Gentleman” (Te doy mi corazón), delving into a “cinderella like” story after Violet Bridgerton’s lavish masked ball. It is under the anonymity of silk and silver that Benedict is captivated by an enigmatic “Silver Lady” (for the matriarch of the family’s fortune) who until then resisted commitment, living a rather liberal life. The female protagonist of this story is Sophie Baek, who, unlike traditional debutantes, is a woman of unwavering resilience who works as a servant for the formidable Lady Araminta Gun. And according to showrunner Jess Brownell, we are facing a necessary collision between fantasy and reality.