Dearest light reader, considerations have been swirling across the esteemed ton about whether or not or not Simone Ashley, who performs Viscountess Kate Bridgerton, can be returning for Bridgerton Season 4. The sensation arose after Netflix launched the listing of solid members for the season, and Ashley’s identify was noticeably absent.
Earlier than going any additional, it’s value noting that the Tudum article precedes the listing with a caveat that this group exists as is “to this point.” It’s greater than possible that new and returning solid members can be added to this listing between now and when Bridgerton Season 4 premieres on Netflix. However will Simone Ashley be a type of names?
Simone Ashley joined the sequence for its second season, bringing Kate Sharma to life alongside an enemies-to-lovers romance with first-born Anthony Bridgerton. Bridgerton Season 2 premiered in March 2022, and Ashley reprised her function in three episodes of Bridgerton Season 3. Bridgerton Season 3, Episode 7, “Becoming a member of of Palms,” Kate and Anthony resolve to make a journey to India earlier than their child is born in order that their little one can study their heritage and be across the Sharma household.
Whereas thrilling for the characters, that in depth voyage raised questions on whether or not Kate and Anthony had been written out of the present, with neither Ashley nor Jonathan Bailey returning for future seasons. That fear isn’t unprecedented as a result of Regé-Jean Web page, who performed Season 1’s male lead Simon Basset, exited the sequence after the primary season. In the meantime, Phoebe Dynevor, who performed Season 1’s feminine lead, Daphne Bridgerton, returned because the Duchess of Hastings in a supporting function for 5 episodes of Season 2. The primary of which is Bridgerton Season 2, Episode 3, “Bee in Your Bonnet.”
Nevertheless, Dynevor advised Selection in January 2023 that she wouldn’t return for Bridgerton Season 3. Dynevor shared, “Effectively, I did my two seasons…I’ve finished what I needed to do with that character and she or he had an ideal arc. In the event that they ask me again sooner or later, who is aware of?” So, the possibility of one other look for Dynevor sounds extra possible than one from Web page. Will Bridgerton repeat historical past with Bailey and Ashley? All indicators – for now – say not.
On the Bridgerton Season 3 Half 2 premiere in London in June 2024, Ashley assured reporters that “Kate Sharma is right here to remain.” The actress reiterated her intentions to stay part of Bridgerton whereas attending the 2024 Monte Carlo TV Competition, the place Ashley obtained the Worldwide Golden Nymph for Most Promising Expertise award.
“Each Johnny and I, we like our characters, Kate and Anthony, a lot and [love] their relationship and what they imply for the present,” Ashley stated, in response to Folks. “I believe we’ll do all we will with our schedules to make it work in order that we will [return], hopefully,” Ashley added.
That comprehensible situation is a standard chorus amongst conversations about Ashley and Bailey’s return. Bridgerton is Simone Ashley’s breakout function in 2022. The actress will star within the Apple Authentic Movies F1 in 2025 and lead Prime Video’s rom-com Image This.
For Teen Vogue in June 2024, showrunner Jess Brownell mentioned scheduling and Kanthony’s journey to India: “I believe the energy of sending them off to India for a short time is that it does go away the door open for them to return again, schedules permitting.”
“I believe, understandably, when any of our lead actors have given over their lives for his or her season, in future seasons, we need to be supportive of the truth that they do produce other initiatives coming in, and to ask actors to return again simply to be within the background will not be actually truthful to them. We love Jonny and Simone, and we’ll have them again as a lot as we’re in a position to,” Brownell continued.
Ashley advised Premiere in June 2024 that she’s had “secret” discussions with Brownell about what’s subsequent for Kate. The actress shared that the 2 girls “talk about lots collectively about what’s subsequent for” the character. In the end, Ashley stated she would “completely” need to come again for Bridgerton Season 4, which just lately started manufacturing.
When requested whether or not there’s extra to discover with Kate and Anthony, Ashley stated, “Sure! Completely! Tons extra. I even suppose Kate and Anthony deserve their very own spin-off, a spin-off of Bridgerton. I don’t know if it might work, however I might find it irresistible. This world is so huge, and these characters are so deep that there’s a lot to discover about them. I don’t need to give an excessive amount of away, however I believe there might be a number of seasons of Kate and Anthony to return!”
Most just lately, in August 2024, Jonathan Bailey appeared on Good Morning America and guaranteed everybody he would reprise his function because the Viscount. “Clearly being the older brother, I’m going to be there to help the children as we go,” Bailey stated.
“I’ve a few weeks etched out in my schedule for returning. I look ahead to studying the scripts,” Bailey continued. It needs to be famous that Netflix included Jonathan Bailey on its listing of returning actors.
In all equity, Ashley isn’t the one identify lacking from this listing. Polly Walker and Lorraine Ashbourne are set to return as Portia Featherington and Mrs. Varley, respectively, however Bessie Carter and Harriet Cains will not be listed as reprising their roles as Prudence and Philippa. Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington) reveals herself as Girl Whistledown in Bridgerton Season 3, Episode 8, “Into the Gentle,” with Julie Andrews’s voice fading into Nicola Coughlan’s. Nevertheless, Andrews is ready to return because the famed author.
Plus, Jessica Madsen’s Cressida Cowper is lacking, which makes extra sense after the character’s Season 3 arc and transfer to Cornwall.
Nonetheless, Simone Ashley’s absence from the listing as it’s – and it’s nonetheless very a lot topic to vary – stands out as a result of she performs a beloved former feminine lead of this romance sequence. Contemplating the sample of former leads exiting the sequence, it’s greater than comprehensible that followers fear the identical will occur once more.
Fortunately, Ashley and Brownell (and Bailey) have made numerous feedback over many months about their intention for Kate (and Anthony) to stay part of Bridgerton. The actress has been a staunch supporter of the sequence and the leads that succeed her. Plus, Ashley’s character will not be solely an integral a part of the titular household however one of many world it builds. It’s greater than possible solely a matter of time earlier than Netflix and Shondaland share that Simone Ashley will reprise her function as Viscountess Bridgerton. In any case, it’s exhausting to think about Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony Bridferton with out Simone Ashley’s Kate.
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Bridgerton is streaming on Netflix now.