Bridgerton hasn’t exactly been kind to Daphne Bridgerton lately, and I fear her absence will only grow more glaring when the show returns for Season 4. Although she played a pivotal role in Season 1 alongside Simon, Daphne has increasingly been sidelined in later seasons—something I suspect will continue as the story shifts its focus once more.
After Season 1, Daphne’s character was noticeably absent from Season 2, except for a handful of brief appearances. While it made sense for her to step back and focus on family life off-screen, her role felt significant enough that it was disappointing not to see her more. By the time Season 3 rolled around, though, Daphne’s absence felt even more pronounced, especially considering the major family milestones taking place—namely, the weddings of her brother and sister. With the Bridgerton siblings being at the heart of the show, the lack of Daphne’s presence started to feel like a glaring gap.
Daphne’s Missing from Major Family Events—Again
Phoebe Dynevor, the actress who plays Daphne, has made it clear that she feels her storyline has come to a natural conclusion. While I completely understand her desire to explore other projects and leave her schedule open, it’s hard not to notice Daphne’s absence at the weddings of both her brother Colin and sister Eloise in Season 3. This oversight feels especially odd given how central the Bridgerton family dynamic is to the show. The relationships between the siblings were one of the core reasons I fell in love with the series, and Season 3 made it seem as though this important aspect was being pushed aside in favor of new plots.
Now, with Season 4 on the horizon, the focus will shift to Benedict and his journey to find love. While I’m excited to see his story unfold, I’m left wondering if Daphne will miss another major family moment—namely, Benedict’s wedding. With Phoebe Dynevor’s return still uncertain, the likelihood of her being absent from yet another Bridgerton wedding seems high. It’s a shame, because Daphne, as the first Bridgerton sibling to marry and start a family, could offer valuable wisdom to her younger siblings in these moments.
The Bigger Problem: Anthony’s Absence Could Make Things Worse
As if Daphne’s sidelining weren’t enough, Anthony’s role in the family dynamic also seems to be at risk as the show progresses. In Season 3, Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony, was largely absent as the focus shifted to the next generation. Like Dynevor, Bailey had a busy schedule, but he did make time for key family events, including Colin’s wedding. But with his career continuing to take off—he’s working on projects like Fellow Travelers, Heartstopper, Wicked, and the untitled Jurassic World film—there’s no guarantee Bailey will be available for major family moments in the future. The show has already confirmed he’ll appear in Season 4, but as his career grows, it’s increasingly unclear how much of Anthony we’ll see moving forward.
It’s understandable that the talented cast members are getting recognition for their work outside Bridgerton, but it’s bittersweet to see the familial heart of the show—the sibling bonds and gatherings—starting to fade into the background. The absences of both Daphne and Anthony are felt deeply, and if this trend continues, it risks eroding the essence of what made Bridgerton so special.
What I Hope For in Season 4 and Beyond
As much as I enjoy the new stories and characters that each season brings, I really hope Bridgerton takes the time to acknowledge the off-screen lives of characters like Daphne and Anthony. Instead of pretending they simply don’t exist, I’d appreciate the show offering explanations for their absences, perhaps through letters, references, or some other in-universe device. It’s important to address these missing characters, especially since family is so central to the show. I’d be more than willing to suspend my disbelief if the writers can provide a solid reason for their absence that fits within the world they’ve created.
At the end of the day, I still have high hopes for Bridgerton, but I can’t help but worry that its family-centered core is slowly being chipped away, especially with the uncertain futures of key characters like Daphne and Anthony. Here’s hoping the show finds a way to balance its evolving storylines with the beloved sibling dynamic that made it so irresistible to begin with.
