Bridgerton fans are upset as Netflix drops a bombshell (Picture: Liam Daniel/ Netflix/ THA / Avalon)
Bridgerton season 4 has only just begun filming, but fans are already devastated as the Netflix show drops a major bombshell.
Following the enormous success of Bridgerton season 3 which focused on the love story between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, fans cannot wait for the fourth season which will focus on Benedict Bridgeton’s love story.
However, there’s a slight spanner in the works as it is thought that Simone Ashley will not be returning as Kate Bridgerton (nee Sharma) in the upcoming season.
The former Sex Education star led the second season of the show with her love interest Anthony Bridgerton (played by Jonathan Bailey).
Her character then returned briefly in the third season but headed off to India with her husband so her unborn child could learn about their heritage.
Although Netflix has confirmed Jonathan Bailey will still have a key role in the fourth season, Simone Ashley’s name has not appeared on the lengthy cast list for the upcoming season.
The news has sent fans into a tizzy, who can’t understand why her iconic character would be written out when her husband is still included.
Simone Ashley doesn’t seem to be returning for the fourth season (Picture: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton will lead season 4 (Picture: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)
Fans are sad to say goodbye to former cast members (Picture: Netflix)
Some fans have gone so far as to say that they are uncertain if they even want to watch the series if Simone isn’t included.
‘I canceled my Netflix. I haven’t watched anything on it in months, and while I was looking forward to Benophie, I’ll enjoy all their edits on SM now instead. Bridgerton has treated Simone Ashley like garbage, and that was really the last straw for me,’ said SophieSays18 on Z.
‘I have yet to finish Bridgerton Season 3 and can’t imagine returning if Simone Ashley isn’t in Season 4,’ N0ChoiceToMake added.
This isn’t the first time that the show has written out a former leading cast member.
After the first season, Regé-Jean Page who played Duke Simon Hastings didn’t return to the show.
Phoebe Dynevor who played his wife Daphne Bridgerton returned for the second season – but not for the third season.
The fourth season will focus on a different Bridgerton couple (Picture: Netflix)
Netflix fans were left baffled earlier this week when the leading cast was announced and it was revealed that a Harry Potter star was cast in an unexpected role.
It was revealed that Katie Leung, 37, who played Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, will play Lady Araminta Gun.
Although she is in her late 30s, Katie is playing the stepmother of the new leading lady of the new series, Sophie Baek, played by 29-year-old Yerin Ha.
The news raised eyebrows considering Katie will be playing a woman with a son-in-law (played by Luke Thompson) who is only one year younger than her in real life.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Netflix for comment.
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