"Bridgerton" season two couple Kate and Anthony make a brief appearance in season three, part one. Here's why they we think they will return to the show.
Liam Daniel/Netflix
Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for "Bridgerton" season three, part one, and the novel "The Viscount Who Loved Me."
"Bridgerton" fans may be disappointed with Kate and Anthony's quick exit at the beginning of season three, but we think the characters are not gone for good.
After a turbulent love journey in season two, Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) experience a blissful romance in the opening episode of season three, part one, including a few steamy sex scenes.
In season three, episode one, it becomes clear that the doting couple is still in their honeymoon era after returning to London. Later in the episode, Kate suggests to her husband that they return to their honeymoon because they are not ready to run the Bridgerton household.
Anthony agrees, and the fan-favorite couple does not appear in the remaining episodes of part one, upsetting many Kanthony fans.
This is slowly becoming a trend for "Bridgerton." Despite being one of the most-watched Netflix series and a launchpad for many aspiring British actors, the series has struggled to keep former leads.
Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor, who played the leading couple of the first season, both left the series. Francesca Bridgerton also had to be recast ahead of season three after Ruby Stokes left to star in another Netflix series.
Though "Bridgerton" changes its lead characters each season, it is still an ensemble show, and fans are often curious about what happens to their favorite characters after they've married.
However, we think Kate and Anthony may return to the show in season three, part two, or future seasons. Here's why.
Netflix
In the book series that "Bridgerton" is based on, written by Julia Quinn, Kate and Anthony have four children after their marriage: Edmund, Miles, Charlotte, and Mary. According to a family tree on Quinn's website, Edmund, the first child, is born a year after their wedding.
In season three, part one, Kate did not seem pregnant, which may mean the TV show will stray from the book timeline.
But there's still hope — both actors want to see a Kanthony child baby, too.
Bailey told the Wrap in 2022: "And I just can't wait for him to have a baby. Baby Edmund is the first that's to come, if it's according to the books. But maybe they'll have octuplets or something. Maybe they'll flip it on its head."
Meanwhile, Ashley told IMDB in 2022: "I'd love to see them have a baby, to put it simply. And maybe that'll happen. Maybe it won't, but hopefully it will."
Come on, Netflix. Give the people what they want.
Liam Daniel/Bridgerton
Kate and Anthony are now the Viscount and Viscountess of the Bridgerton family and will have to lead the family once they return from their honeymoon.
This means Kate and Anthony have a bigger reason to stick around than the other characters who left. We can't leave out the couple that runs the Bridgertons in a show about the family.
Bailey told the Wrap that he'd also want to appear in the wedding scenes for the other Bridgerton actors.
"I'm going to be there for when I'm needed, but also, you know, there's no way I'm not going to be at the weddings of — from everyone from Claudia Jessie, and Luke Thompson, Luke Newts, down to Will Tilson and Florence Hunt," he said.
Since Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Florence Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) seem to be heading down the aisle in season three, this seems to mean Anthony and Kate will return for their wedding in part two.
Ashley also told IMDB: "I'm excited to see Kate become the viscountess and the head of the household. I think she has much to learn from Anthony, and there'll be two little partners doing it together."
Liam Daniel / Netflix
Since season two, Ashley and Bailey have been cast in new movies and TV series, which may complicate any return to "Bridgerton."
Bailey, especially, has had a busy year. He starred in the miniseries "Fellow Travelers," has a leading role in the upcoming two-part blockbuster musical "Wicked," made a cameo in "Heartstopper" season three, and was just cast as the lead in the next "Jurassic World" movie.
However, despite all this, Bailey found time to shoot scenes in "Bridgerton" season three. In November 2023, Bailey spoke on the SiriusXM show "Radio Andy" about how he filmed "Bridgerton" and "Fellow Travelers" simultaneously.
"I didn't have a day off, and it was that for 32 days," Bailey said, referring to flying between both sets to film the two series.
This may be more difficult as Bailey becomes a movie star, but the actor seems invested enough in "Bridgerton" to make an effort when he can.
We will likely have a better idea about Kate and Anthony's future in "Bridgerton" season three, part two, which premieres on Netflix on June 13.
