The first full trailer for Bridgerton Season 4 arrived as a Christmas Day gift for fans, but the excitement quickly turned to confusion and frustration. While the two-minute preview introduced the Cinderella-style romance between Benedict Bridgerton and new character Sophie Baek, it contained no sign of two of the show’s most important figures: Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and his wife, the Viscountess Kate Sharma. This absence has sparked a major fan reaction online, with many questioning the storytelling logic of the head of the Bridgerton family being missing from events at his own home.
The New Season’s Love Story Takes Center Stage
Bridgerton Season 4 is set to focus on Benedict Bridgerton’s (played by Luke Thompson) love story, which is based on Julia Quinn’s third book, An Offer from a Gentleman. The trailer shows the meeting between Benedict and Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha) at the Bridgerton family’s lavish masquerade ball. Sophie is shown working as a maid who disguises herself to attend the ball, only to flee at midnight, leaving behind a single glove.
“You are perhaps the most intriguing person I’ve ever met,” Benedict tells Sophie during their dance, setting up his quest to find the mysterious woman who captured his attention.
The season will be released in two parts on Netflix. Part 1, consisting of four episodes, will premiere on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Part 2, with another four episodes, will follow on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
Fan Outrage Over Missing “Kanthony”
Almost immediately after the trailer’s release, fans took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to express their disappointment. The main point of contention is not just that Kate and Anthony are absent, but that key social events, including the central masquerade ball, appear to be taking place at their home, Bridgerton House. This has led to logical questions about the whereabouts of the Viscount and Viscountess, who are the heads of the household.
One fan pointed out the inconsistency on X, writing, “Clearly we understand Kathony had their season… but it truly doesn’t make sense that the VISCOUNT and VISCOUNTESS Bridgerton, the literal HEADS of the household are nowhere to be seen”. Another fan directly questioned the show’s producers, asking, “Are you aware large parts of this season are at the home of the Viscount and Viscountess? Where are they?”.
The frustration is amplified by the appearance of other familiar characters in the trailer. Viewers noted seeing Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, Colin, Penelope, Violet Bridgerton, Francesca, Eloise, and new characters. This made the specific omission of Kate and Anthony even more noticeable to dedicated fans.
Are Kate And Anthony In Season 4?
Despite their complete absence from the promotional trailer, Jonathan Bailey (Anthony) and Simone Ashley (Kate) are confirmed to return for Bridgerton Season 4. However, their screen time is expected to be significantly reduced, similar to their supporting roles in Season 3. A storyline reason for their absence was established at the end of the previous season, where a pregnant Kate expressed a desire to show her home country of India to her husband and their unborn child.
In a past interview, Simone Ashley hinted at their ongoing journey, saying, “I’m excited for everyone to see the glimpse of Kate and Anthony’s journey carrying on together”. Some fan speculation online has also suggested that Jonathan Bailey’s filming schedule for the major movie Wicked may have limited his availability for the new season.
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Fan Theories And Continued Disappointment
The fan reaction goes beyond simple disappointment. Many feel the decision to minimize Kate and Anthony, a pairing often referred to by the portmanteau “Kanthony,” is a poor creative and business choice given their popularity. The couple’s romance in Season 2 is widely celebrated, and fans believe they remain a major draw for the show.
“The absurdity of this production writing Kate and Anthony out of Part 1 yet being too cheap to relocate the Bridgertons to a new residence,” wrote one fan, criticizing the narrative clash of parties happening at an empty lord’s home. Other comments compared the situation to the treatment of previous leads, like Daphne and Simon, who also saw reduced roles after their starring season.
