Bridgerton season 3 revolved around the blossoming relationship between Colin and Penelope (which had been slowly building since season 1), and while Colin and Penelope’s romance was well done and exciting, I couldn’t help but be disappointed by Anthony and Kate’s arc in the episodes. The Netflix historical romance television series is based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, with each season following one of the novels. Bridgerton season 1 brought the first book to life and depicted Daphne and Simon’s love story, while season 2 was based on the second novel and followed Anthony and Kate’s romance.
The Netflix show skipped over Quinn’s third Bridgerton book (which revolves around Benedict) in favor of adapting the fourth one, which chronicles Colin and Penelope’s development as a couple. Consequently, Colin and Penelope were the stars of Bridgerton season 3. However, even though Anthony and Kate were no longer the show’s central focus, they were still underutilized and essentially tossed to the side in the 2024 episodes. After Bridgerton season 2’s ending, I expected Anthony and Kate to have less screen time, but their scarce amount of scenes in season 3 was unbelievable.
Anthony & Kate’s Bridgerton Season 3 Story Doesn’t Make Sense
After Anthony and Kate got married, I was hopeful that viewers hadn’t seen the last of them. Simon and Daphne disappeared following Bridgerton season 1’s finale since Regé-Jean Page didn’t want to renew his contract, while Phoebe Dynevor briefly reprised her role in season 2. But because Page wasn’t returning, it was clear that Simon and Daphne would no longer be a part of the story, which wasn’t expected to be the case for Anthony and Kate. While Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley returned in season 3, Anthony and Kate’s story was poorly done and rushed, thanks to their minimal screen time.
Bridgerton season 3, episode 1 featured Anthony and Kate deciding to extend their honeymoon, which was a mediocre excuse for their absence in the next three episodes. When they returned in episode 5, the couple had exciting news to tell everyone — they were having a baby. However, Kate’s pregnancy was barely celebrated as the plot’s focus was shifted elsewhere. Then, in episode 7, Anthony and Kate quickly concluded that they should move to Kate’s home country of India for a brief period (even though it would be risky for Kate to go on a months-long journey to India while pregnant).
Anthony and Kate deserved better following their intriguing and well-thought-out story in [ Bridgerton ] season 2.
All of these major developments in the couple’s relationship were neglected and glossed over instead of giving them the time and attention they deserved. Of course, Anthony and Kate shouldn’t have stolen the spotlight from Colin and Penelope, but the scenes they were (and weren’t) in were confusing. Anthony and Kate left, returned, and then left again, missing Francesca’s wedding and the birth of Colin and Penelope’s son. Ultimately, Anthony and Kate’s Bridgerton season 3 story was a cop-out after they proved to be one of the Netflix show’s strongest couples in season 2.
Anthony & Kate Deserved Better In Bridgerton Season 3
We never got to see what came next for Simon and Daphne after Bridgerton season 1. So, season 3 was the Netflix show’s chance to follow a happy married couple and further explore their relationship, but the writers fumbled the ball with Anthony and Kate. Yes, a couple of episodes featured significant and exciting changes in Anthony and Kate’s lives (having a baby and spontaneously moving to India). However, as mentioned above, the couple’s growth was severely understated as they were mostly absent in the episodes. Anthony and Kate deserved better following their intriguing and well-thought-out story in season 2.
What Happens Next To Anthony & Kate In Bridgerton
Following Bridgerton season 3, part 2’s ending, Anthony and Kate are currently raising their child in India. It’s unclear when they will return to London, but given that it’s the 1800s and traveling from India to England is a long journey, it might take Anthony and Kate a while to reappear in the Netflix series. Plus, based on their reduced screen time in season 3, Anthony and Kate’s return in Bridgerton season 4 is up in the air.
Bridgerton is better when Anthony and Kate are in it, and if they do return, hopefully, the upcoming episodes will utilize the couple better than season 3.
Bridgerton showrunner Jess Brownell expressed that she would like to see Anthony and Kate return, but it’s uncertain. Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley might be booked and busy during filming, or the writers might not feel as if the story has room for their characters anymore. Only time will tell if Anthony and Kate are in season 4 or not, as several factors will have to be weighed into the decision. Nevertheless, Bridgerton is better when Anthony and Kate are in it,
