- - Why Aren't Anthony and Kate in “Bridgerton” Season 4 Part 1? What We Know About the Characters' Surprise Absence

Caroline BlairJanuary 29, 2026 at 6:00 AM

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Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma in 'Bridgerton'

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma are absent from the first batch of Bridgerton season 4 episodes

The on-screen couple teased where they were going during season 3, and it was confirmed in season 4

Both Ashley and Bailey confirmed that they returned to film additional season 4 scenes

As part 1 of Bridgerton's season 4 rolls out on Jan. 29, two fan favorite characters will be missing.

Married couple Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma — who are portrayed by Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley — didn't appear in the first part of the fourth season of the Netflix period series.

The on-screen couple's absence was teased during season 3 when they played around with the idea of moving to Kate's hometown in India upon learning that they were expecting their first child, but it was fully explained in the season 4 premiere.

Viewers were initially concerned when Bailey and Ashley, who played the main couple in season 2, were not in the season 4 trailer. However, the cast later confirmed in February 2025 that Bailey and Ashley will be appearing in the second half of season 4.

The fourth season centers on another Bridgerton sibling: Benedict (Luke Thompson). In addition to several of the past Bridgerton stars recurring, the season will also introduce new characters — including Benedict's love interest, Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).

Here's everything to know about why Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma are absent from Bridgerton season 4, part 1.

Warning: Bridgerton season 4 spoilers below!

How does Bridgerton explain Anthony and Kate’s absence in season 4, part 1?

Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in 'Bridgerton'

Liam Daniel/Netflix

In season 3, Kate and Anthony discovered that she was pregnant with their first child. After learning about the pregnancy, Anthony suggests traveling to Kate's hometown in India to welcome the little one, so the baby will "know that they are a Sharma," as well as a Bridgerton.

During the season 4 premiere, it's confirmed that Kate and Anthony did, indeed, briefly move to India to welcome their child together, a baby boy. Housemaid Celia (Sophie Lamont), Mrs. Wilson (Geraldine Alexander) and Footman John (Oli Higginson) are speaking about the couple when Celia mentions that she's excited to meet the "little heir" — possibly hinting at their return.

Showrunner Jess Brownell explained that they maintained the storyline in hopes of allowing the actors to return when their schedules allowed it but without leaving fans questioning their lack of presence.

"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," Brownell told Teen Vogue 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."

She added that they "love" Bailey and Ashley and will "have them back as much as we are able to."

"They give so much, even with just tiny little looks and gestures. They're a magic pairing, absolutely," Brownell gushed.

Will Anthony and Kate return for season 4, part 2?

Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in 'Bridgerton'

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Although Anthony and Kate aren't physically present for the first part of Bridgerton season 4, they are returning in some capacity for the second part. During the Bridgerton Season of Love fan celebration in February 2025, the cast confirmed that the beloved characters will appear somewhere in the season.

The Bridgerton team further teased that the on-screen couple will also appear alongside their son.

Brownell assured fans that Anthony and Kate are "not in India for good" and moving them there was a "plot device."

"I currently have some really exciting thoughts for them both in season 4, and we’re working on it," she told Glamour in June 2024. "There is hope to have them back as much as we are able to make happen."

What have Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley said about filming Bridgerton season 4?

Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey attend Netflix's "Bridgerton" Season 3 World Premiere in NYC on May 13, 2024.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Both Bailey and Ashley confirmed that they filmed various scenes with the Bridgerton cast for season 4, while also expressing excitement and continued interest in shooting the series.

"I know that I am returning,” Ashley told Glamour UK in October 2024. "But that’s all I can say. I absolutely adore the show, and the more I can be a part of it, the better. They’ve been really kind to work around my schedule.”

By March 2025, Ashley confirmed that she had been filming with some of her female costars.

"I can't tease anything, but I can say I was filming a couple of weeks ago, with the girls," she told Brit + Co. "I'm super excited to be back on the show. I'm so grateful for everything that that show has given me, and whenever I go back it, it just feels like home."

Around the time that Bridgerton season 4 filmed from May 2024 to June 2025, Ashley was cast in several major projects — including the movies F1, Picture This, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and This Tempting Madness. In addition to her acting gigs, Ashley announced in March 2025 that she was recording her debut album.

Meanwhile, Bailey also confirmed in August 2024 that he would be reprising his role as the eldest Bridgerton brother.

“We’re going to follow the stories,” Bailey told Good Morning America in August 2024. “The thing about Bridgerton, which is so brilliant, is that there’s so many different ways you can fall in love as humans and that’s what this show will explore. Obviously being the older brother, I’m going to be there to support the youngsters as we go.”

By December 2024, he revealed that he had just finished filming Bridgerton season 4 in an interview with Vogue. He explained to the publication that he was taking a break from acting after wrapping his scenes and before his performance as King Richard II in the Shakespeare play, Richard II, which took place from February to May 2025.

In September 2025, Bailey told British GQ that he wanted to focus on activism and specifically his charity, the Shameless Fund, which focuses on helping people in the LGBTQ+ community.

"I've been working solidly for about three years now, which has been amazing and mind blowing," Bailey shared. "But with everything happening in the world right now, I'm going to stop acting for a bit next year and just focus on the Shameless Fund."

After starring in Bridgerton and both Wicked movies, Bailey went on to act in Jurassic World Rebirth, Heartstopper and Up the Catalogue.

What is Bridgerton season 4 about?

Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in 'Bridgerton'

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Similar to past seasons, Bridgerton season 4 will revolve around another Bridgerton sibling looking for love. The fourth season is an adaptation of the third book from the book series, An Offer from a Gentleman.

Season 4 will follow Benedict 's romance with Sophie. The two meet at a masquerade ball where they connect through an emotional first dance. However, their love story becomes complicated when they struggle to find the balance between real life and fairytales.

"As a victim of tragic events, Sophie has been forced to spend much of her life working for the most demanding employer in the ton. But the resourceful Sophie always finds a way to persevere through her circumstances," Tudum teased in October 2024.

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