- - Why Kate and Anthony Are Missing in Action in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4, Part 1

Moriel Mizrahi FinderJanuary 29, 2026 at 11:39 PM

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Fans returning to the ton for Bridgerton season 4 might have noticed that some things—or certain someones—are missing: Viscount Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Viscountess Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley) are nowhere to be seen in the first half of the season. While the Netflix drama has a long history of rotating its romantic leads, the couple’s absence still raised questions, especially after season 3 ended with a major life update for the pair.

Here’s what Kate and Anthony have been up to, and when viewers can expect to see them in Bridgerton again.

Where are Kate and Anthony in Bridgerton season 4?

The show wastes little time addressing the couple’s whereabouts. In the opening minutes of the season 4 premiere, members of the household staff are heard discussing the newest addition to the Bridgerton family while watching Colin and Penelope tend to their newborn.

“They’re sweet as long as you are not the one who has to look after them and mind their cries,” Mrs. Wilson says. “I, for one, am glad the viscountess had her baby in India.”

A maid responds, “I cannot wait to meet the little heir when they return.”

Later in the episode, Violet Bridgerton confirms the same explanation when speaking with Lady Araminta Gun, saying, “Anthony is off in India with his bride.”

The references align with season 3’s finale, which revealed that Kate was pregnant and that the newly married couple planned to travel to India—Kate’s home country—to welcome their first child. Season 4 confirms that the trip did, in fact, happen, and that the pair have temporarily stepped away from London society as new parents.

Why did the show send the characters away?

According to Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell, the decision was a deliberate narrative choice.

“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 explained in a June 2024 Teen Vogue interview. “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, “We love Jonny and Simone, and we’ll have them back as much as we are able to.”

Are Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley still part of season 4?

Yes—just not in part 1.

Both Bailey and Ashley are confirmed to appear later in the season. Bailey previously teased his return during an August 2024 Good Morning America interview, saying, “I have a couple of weeks etched out in my schedule for returning [to Bridgerton]. I look forward to reading the scripts.”

Ashley has also been open about continuing her role when timing allows. “I know that I am returning,” she said in an October 2024 Glamour U.K. interview. “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.”

In March 2025, she confirmed that filming was already underway for her. “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.”

Season 4, part 2 premieres on February 26, at which point viewers will finally see Kate and Anthony back onscreen—and stepping into their next chapter as parents.

WATCH BRIDGERTON SEASON 4

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