Kate and Anthony’s trip to India won’t keep them away from the ton forever — at least not if Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell has her say.
In a June interview with Teen Vogue, Brownell said that the “the door is open” for the beloved season 2 couple to make their return in season 4 — as long as in-demand stars Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey can find room in their busy schedule.
“We love Jonny and Simone and we’ll have them back as much as we are able to,” Brownell said. “They give so much, even with just tiny little looks and gestures. They’re a magic pairing, absolutely.”
In season 3, Kate and Anthony learn they are expecting their first child, which leads Anthony to suggest they travel to India so their little one will “know that they are a Sharma” as well as a Bridgerton.
While fans loved Anthony’s commitment to ensuring his and Kate’s baby understands both sides of their heritage, some viewers expressed concern on social media that sending the couple to India meant that they would not be a part of future seasons.
However, Brownell told the outlet, “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.”
“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 continued.
During a press meeting at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco on June 15, Ashley, 29, told reporters that she and Bailey, 36, “adore our characters” and “their relationship” and will do “all we can” to return for season 4.
“Both Johnny and I, we adore our characters, Kate and Anthony, so much and [love] their relationship and what they mean for the show,” Ashley said. “I think we’ll do all we can with our schedules to make it work so that we can [return], hopefully.”
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While no official announcement has been made about a spinoff or the lead of season 4, fans will most likely have to wait until 2026 for Bridgerton’s return, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.