Viscount Anthony Bridgerton is staying put. Jonathan Bailey confirmed today that he will be back reprising his role as the eldest Bridgerton sibling in the upcoming fourth season of the hit Netflix period drama. Like was the case in Season 3, focused on his younger brother Colin (Luke Newton) finding love with Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), Anthony is expected to pop in and out for a few key scenes next season.
“I have a couple of weeks etched out in my schedule for returning,” Bailey said about filming Season 4 of Bridgerton during a GMA interview focused on his Emmy-nominated turn in Showtime’s Fellow Travelers. “I look forward to reading the scripts.”
Unlike the Season 1 couple Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon (Regé-Jean Page) whom we never saw together again, Season 2 leads Anthony and his bride Kate (Simone Ashley) were both back in Season 3. (Dynevor returned solo for a couple of scenes in Season 2 before exiting the series completely).
Bailey had said repeatedly that he was planning to stay with Bridgerton for the long run. That fits his character’s role as the Viscount and head of the Bridgerton household, with Kate alongside him as the Viscountess.
When we last saw the happy couple in Season 3, they were headed to Kate’s home land of India on a babymoon.
“The thing about Bridgerton, which is so brilliant, is that there’s so many different ways you can fall in love as humans and that’s what this show will explore,” Bailey said. “Obviously being the older brother, I’m going to be there to support the youngsters as we go.”
While their love match has been made, Penelope and Colin — and particularly Penelope — would likely stick around too given her no-longer-secret alter ego as the ton’s gossip columnist Lady Whistedown.
Season 4 of Bridgerton turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict (Luke Thompson). Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down — until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball. The lady’s name in the Bridgerton’s books is Sophie Beckett, and she will be played on the show by Yerin Ha.
“Benedict’s full of wonder and joy. He’s the beating heart of the family,” Bailey said. ““Luke Thompson is going to be stunning.”