Jonathan Bailey confirms that Anthony will be back in Bridgerton season 4 to 'support the youngsters'

Dearest gentle reader, don’t say goodbye to Anthony Bridgerton just yet.

Jonathan Bailey has confirmed that despite embarking on a second honeymoon with his beloved Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley), the Viscount isn’t done witnessing the drama of the ton. During a Friday morning conversation with Good Morning America, the actor confirmed his plans to return for season 4 of Bridgerton.

“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.”

He continued, “I have a couple of weeks etched out in my schedule for returning. I look forward to reading the scripts.”

Of the upcoming fourth season, which will center Luke Thompson’s Benedict and the newly cast Yerin Ha as Sophie Beckett, Bailey expressed his excitement, adding, “Benedict’s full of wonder and joy. He’s the beating heart of the family. Luke Thompson is going to be stunning.”

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During the show’s sophomore season, Bailey and Ashley starred as the central couple, Kate and Anthony. After they — spoiler alert! — worked through their emotional baggage and finally admitted their feelings to one another, the pair tied the knot and began their future as the Viscount and Viscountess of the Bridgerton household. 

When the third season rolled around to tell the love story of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), fans worried the married couple would disappear into their happily ever after, like season 1's Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon (Regé-Jean Page). Luckily, the actors were game to return, and we glimpsed the latest chapter of their relationship throughout the season.

"It was really thrilling to have Simone and Johnny back and getting to see what Anthony and Kate's married life looks like," showrunner Jess Brownell recently told EW. "With them, we're not really interested in introducing any big new conflicts into their relationship. We feel like they've been through the hard stuff, and we want viewers to get to see them in a more playful, lovey space."

While Bailey said nothing of Ashley’s return, it’s hard to imagine Anthony’s future on the show without Kate at his side. Like her costar, Ashley has consistently expressed interest in returning for future seasons. 

As recently as June, she affirmed her desire to bring Kate back, telling reporters (via PEOPLE), “Both Johnny and I, we adore our characters, Kate and Anthony, so much and their relationship and what they mean for the show. I think we'll do all we can with our schedules to make it work so that we can, hopefully.”

When season 3 concluded, Kate and Anthony decided to depart the Bridgerton residence and welcome their first child in Kate’s hometown in India. Bromwell later told Teen Vogue that their trip was a way of leaving “the door is open” for the couple to return, and an excuse to be away if schedules prevented that possibility.