The Mystery Behind Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma's Absence in 'Bridgerton' Season 3

The Mystery Behind Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma's Absence in 'Bridgerton' Season 3

'Bridgerton' enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the romance of Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) were left puzzled as season 3 unfolded

Why Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma Are Nowhere to Be Found for Most of Bridgerton Season 3

Why Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma Are Nowhere to Be Found for Most of Bridgerton Season 3

Daniel/Netflix

Bridgerton fans missed out on Anthony and Kate's journey to happiness, and season 3 has continued in the same vein for the beloved couple.

In the first half of the new season, which premiered on May 17, viewers were reacquainted with Anthony (played by Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (played by Simone Ashley) as they savored their married life. Kate was adapting to her new role as a viscountess, while Anthony resumed his responsibilities as the head of the Bridgerton household after returning from their honeymoon.

Kate and Anthony quickly changed their minds about their immediate plans after watching the first episode of the Netflix series. In the episode, Kate and Anthony discussed the importance of not rushing into the next phase of their lives.

During their conversation, Kate pointed out to Anthony that his mother truly enjoys being a viscountess, while she has spent years looking after Edwina and managing the Sharma household. She also mentioned that Anthony seemed happiest when he was not burdened with the responsibilities of running the estate. Kate suggested that they prioritize themselves for once and consider extending their honeymoon.

Kate mentioned that they could always go back to their responsibilities later, saying, "We have our roles as viscount and viscountess to fulfill. But right now, all I care about is starting a family."

Following their talk, Anthony and Kate seemed to disappear from the show for the next three episodes. This surprised some viewers who were looking forward to seeing more romance between the two characters, especially since their own season didn't showcase much of it.

Season 2, released in 2022, focused on Anthony looking for a wife. Things took an unexpected turn when he developed feelings for Kate while pursuing her sister, Edwina (Charithra Chandran).

BRIDGERTON Gal Update 1225

BRIDGERTON Gal Update 1225

It wasn't until the end of the finale that Anthony and Kate finally got together. Despite both denying their feelings for each other, Anthony confessed his love for Kate at the last ball of the season, and she admitted that she felt the same way. In the closing scene, they were seen in bed, having already gotten married, before joyfully joining his family downstairs.

Ahead of the second season of Bridgerton, former showrunner Chris Van Dusen suggested that the show would be approaching its memorable sex scenes differently.

In March 2022, Van Dusen explained to reporters, "Our focus has never been on the quantity of intimate scenes. Our approach to intimacy in the show remains consistent with season 1. We use these scenes to enhance the storytelling and drive the plot forward. We never include a sex scene just for the sake of it, and we don't plan to in the future."

Dusen shared that the second season of the show serves a larger purpose with different characters, focusing on Anthony and Kate instead of Daphne and Simon. This change in storyline is what draws him to a project like this, where each season tells close-ended love stories of new characters.

Meanwhile, Ashley, 29, emphasized the emotional intimacy between Kate and Anthony as being more significant. She explained that it was essential for these characters, who are protective of their families and dedicated to their duties, to maintain their integrity. According to her, the intimate scenes between the characters are not for show but have a deeper meaning, making the development of their relationship feel earned.

One month later, Bailey, 36, joined the chat to support Bridgerton’s choice to reduce the number of sex scenes.

According to Bailey, by cutting down on the sex scenes, the show is able to focus more on developing deeper human connections. This, in turn, enhances the overall viewing experience and reduces the reliance on intimate scenes as the main attraction. Bailey expressed to USA Today in March 2022 that surprising the audience and keeping them engaged is important. He believed it was the right decision for Kate and Anthony to wait before becoming physically intimate, as it made the eventual payoff more satisfying.

Viewers were treated to another NSFW scene between Anthony and Kate in season 3 before they vanished from the screen. However, fans can look forward to seeing more of this duo in the upcoming episodes, especially after Colin Bridgerton's surprising proposal to Penelope Featherington.

The first half of Bridgerton season 3 is now available for streaming on Netflix, with the remaining episodes set to be released on Thursday, June 13th.

Editor's P/S:

The third season of Brid