Do Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley appear in Bridgerton season 4?

It's that time of year once more when we're all swept off our feet for another instalment of Bridgerton. While it's only the first batch of season 4 episodes that have dropped on Netflix, a lot was jam-packed into just four hours.

The central love story of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) consumes the first half of season 4, but we also have the return of Francesca (Hannah Dodd) and husband Lord John Stirling (Victor Alli) from Scotland – with clearly more brewing under the surface than meets the eye.

However, with conversations around returning characters and fan-favourites, plenty of Bridgerton fans have been left wanting for Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey).

Their names were announced as part of the season 4 line-up, but do they appear? Read on to find out.

Do Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley appear in Bridgerton season 4?

Unfortunately, Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley are not seen in the first batch of episodes of season 4 – but they are set to appear in part 2.

As we learn early on in the season from Mrs Wilson's (Geraldine Alexander​​) gossip, the pair had chosen to go to India to have their child, with the Bridgerton household staff brimming with excitement to meet the heir upon their return to the Ton.

However, we don't get that return to London in season 4 part 1 – but it is teased to come later on in the season.

Thankfully, with the help of the season 4 part 2 look-ahead trailer (which plays automatically after you've finished the final fourth episode of season 4), we can see that the beloved couple are set to make a return to our screens very soon.

In the clip, we see what's to come between Sophie and Benedict, as well as getting a glimpse into the growing tension between Francesca and Michaela. But near the end of the teaser, we also see a loved-up Kate (Ashley) and Anthony (Bailey) enjoying a moment laid out on their bed together, with their child nestled between them.

It's a moment that eager fans have already taken to on social media, with plenty of Bridgerton viewers excited for their return.

While it was known from an early stage that Wicked star Bailey would be reprising his role as Anthony, Kate's return was a later reveal.

Speaking at Netflix's Season of Love event last year to RadioTimes.com and other press, showrunner Jess Brownell confirmed: "We've got Anthony returning and I can reveal here for the first time today, we also have Simone Ashley returning.

"'Kanthony' will be together again and we will get to be seeing more of their marital bliss and seeing their baby as well. So, lots of fun."

So, while they're nowhere to be seen in season 4 part 1, fans will just have to exercise a smidgen more patience as they're set to make an appearance in part 2 – we can't wait!

Bridgerton season 4 part 1 is streaming now on Netflix, with Part 2 arriving on 26th February. Seasons 1-3 are available to watch on Netflix now. You can buy the Bridgerton book series on Amazon.

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