The long-awaited return of Netflix’s crown jewel, Bridgerton, has finally arrived, but as the ton gathered for the first half of season four on January 29, many fans found themselves scanning the ballrooms for two very specific faces. While the fourth season marks a pivotal shift in the series’ romantic focus, the absence of the Viscount and Viscountess—Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma—was immediately felt. Jonathan Bailey, whose portrayal of the dutiful yet passionate Anthony anchored the second season, was notably missing from the initial four-episode drop, leading to a flurry of questions regarding his status on the show and his rumored hiatus from the industry.
To address the void left by the head of the household, the show’s writers utilized the series’ signature blend of domestic gossip and upstairs-downstairs dynamics. In the opening moments of the season, the Regency-era drama waste no time explaining why the most influential couple in Mayfair is currently off the social map. The explanation comes by way of Mrs. Wilson, the Bridgerton family’s steadfast housekeeper, played with her usual sharp wit by Geraldine Alexander. As she observes the domestic chaos surrounding the newest additions to the family—specifically the newborn son of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington—Mrs. Wilson offers a revealing remark to her fellow staff members. While watching the young parents fuss over their crying infant, she notes that the children are sweet enough as long as one isn’t the person responsible for their constant care. In a line that served as a narrative bridge for fans, she adds that she is quite relieved the Viscountess chose to have her baby in India, far from the immediate demands of the London estate.
This dialogue confirms that Anthony and Kate have extended their stay in Kate’s home country, a move that allows the characters to enjoy a rare period of peace and privacy following their own whirlwind romance. The staff’s reaction to this news further underscores the family’s anticipation, with a maid quickly expressing her eagerness to meet the "little heir" upon the couple’s eventual return to England. By placing the couple in India, the showrunners have managed to honor the characters’ heritage while providing a logical reason for their physical absence during the early chapters of Benedict Bridgerton’s burgeoning love story.
The absence of the Viscount has also necessitated a shift in the family’s internal hierarchy. With the eldest brother away, the responsibility of managing the Bridgerton affairs has fallen onto the shoulders of Benedict, played by Luke Thompson. This season, Benedict finds himself thrust into a role of reluctant authority, a transition that coincides with the introduction of his own primary love interest, Sophie Baek. In a poignant scene where Benedict explains his living arrangements to Sophie, he notes that he is currently residing in the family home half the time specifically to "fill in for the Viscount." This duty-bound version of Benedict offers a fresh perspective on the character, who has traditionally been portrayed as the more bohemian and carefree member of the sibling group.
However, Anthony and Kate are not the only Bridgertons whose absence has been noted. The family’s youngest son, Gregory, was also missing from the initial episodes. The show explained his whereabouts through the lens of the male servants, who lamented the lack of "boys" in the house. With Gregory off at Eton, the staff jokingly remarked that the Bridgerton household was becoming "a little girlish." When Gregory finally makes his appearance in the fourth episode, the transformation is striking. Actor Will Tilston returns to the screen having undergone a significant growth spurt, complete with the beginnings of facial hair and a shift in temperament. The character has traded the "childish jellies" of his youth for a more sophisticated palate, requesting Scotch eggs and stiff cups of tea—a clear signal that the next generation of Bridgerton men is rapidly coming of age.
The real-world reason for Jonathan Bailey’s limited screen time in the first half of the season is tied to his meteoric rise in Hollywood. Bailey’s "yellow brick road" has recently led him to the set of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked, where he stars as Fiyero. The demands of such a high-profile production, coupled with other professional commitments, sparked rumors last year that the actor might be stepping away from acting or leaving the Bridgerton universe entirely. Bailey was quick to set the record straight, clarifying in late 2023 that while he was consciously stepping back from the relentless pace of the limelight to find balance, he was by no means quitting his craft.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Bailey reassured fans that his commitment to the Bridgerton family remains ironclad. He emphasized that as the "older brother" of the cast, both on and off-screen, he feels a deep sense of responsibility to support the younger actors as they take their turns in the spotlight. He confirmed that he had "a couple of weeks etched out" in his demanding schedule specifically to film scenes for season four, ensuring that Anthony’s presence would still be felt in the overarching narrative. Production sneak peeks released last year have already confirmed that Bailey was on set, and he is expected to make a significant return when part two of the season premieres on February 26.
Beyond the plot points and casting updates, the atmosphere on the Bridgerton set remains one of camaraderie and lightheartedness, despite the show’s intense global popularity. Behind-the-scenes glimpses shared via social media show the cast finding ways to entertain themselves during long filming days. Luke Thompson and Claudia Jessie, who plays the spirited Eloise Bridgerton, were seen engaging in rhythmic clapping games between takes, proving that the sibling chemistry fans adore is very much rooted in real-life friendship. Similarly, Hannah Dodd, who stepped into the role of Francesca Bridgerton last season, was spotted making silly faces with Jessie during particularly chilly outdoor shoots.
The fourth season also introduces a wealth of new talent to the ensemble. Joining Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek are Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun, Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li, and Isabella Wei as Posy Li. This new faction of the "ton" promises to bring fresh conflict and social maneuvering to the series. Photos from the set show the newcomers huddled under umbrellas during rainy English shoot days, seamlessly integrating into the massive production. Even the animal actors haven’t been left out of the fun, with "puppy love" moments being a highlight of the behind-the-scenes content shared by the crew.
As the series prepares for the release of Part 2, the anticipation for Anthony’s return is at an all-time high. His absence in the first four episodes served a dual purpose: it allowed the audience to focus entirely on Benedict’s introduction to Sophie and the evolving friendship between Eloise and a newly married Penelope, while also building a sense of longing for the original leading man. When the Viscount finally steps back onto the screen in late February, he will likely find a family that has changed in his absence—a younger brother who has grown into a man, a second brother who has finally found his match, and a household that, while functioning, is always at its best when the full Bridgerton brood is under one roof. For now, fans can take comfort in the fact that Jonathan Bailey’s hiatus was merely a brief detour, and the head of the house is well on his way back from India to reclaim his place in the heart of Mayfair.
