Jonathan Bailey & Simone Ashley’s Bridgerton Return Explained

Fans of Bridgerton were thrilled to see Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley reprise their roles as Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma in Season 4, Part 2. Their absence from Part 1 sparked questions, but showrunner Jess Brownell has now revealed why the beloved couple was kept off-screen until later in the season.

Their Grand Return

Anthony and Kate reappear in Part 2, first seen in bed with their newborn son, Edmund. It’s the first time viewers have seen them since they left for India during Kate’s pregnancy in Season 3. Anthony is quickly summoned back to London by his mother, Violet, to intervene in Benedict’s complicated romance with Sophie, a ladies’ maid.

Kate later joins Anthony, proudly introducing baby Edmund to the Bridgerton family. The couple makes one final appearance in a surprise post-credits wedding scene, delighting fans who had missed their presence earlier in the season.

Why They Weren’t in Part 1

Brownell explained that Anthony’s absence was intentional. “For Benedict in particular, it was important for Anthony to be elsewhere in part 1,” she told PEOPLE. Without Anthony’s guidance, Benedict had the chance to wrestle with the responsibilities of being the second son filling in for the viscount.

This creative choice allowed Benedict’s storyline to develop independently. “With that being said, it also felt incredibly important to bring Anthony back,” Brownell added, emphasizing the significance of the brothers’ relationship across both parts of the season.

Cast Reflections

Both Bailey and Ashley have expressed their commitment to the series. Ashley described returning to set as “effortless,” saying it feels like stepping into a “time capsule” where the cast is like family. Bailey echoed the sentiment, calling Bridgerton “an amazing thing to be a part of” and promising he’ll “always pop back and say hello.”

Streaming Now

Season 4 of Bridgerton is currently streaming on Netflix, with Part 2 bringing back fan-favorite characters and setting the stage for more drama, romance, and family intrigue.