“Get ready to fall in love with Simone Ashley, who will play Kate in Season 2 of Bridgerton,” Netflix announced on Feb. 15. Newly arrived in London, Ashley’s character is described as “a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools—Anthony Bridgerton very much included.” Per Deadline, Kate and her family “were conceived by the series’ producing team as being of Indian descent in a continuation of the reimagined, multi-racial world of early 1800s London high society created in Season 1.” The second book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, focuses on Jonathan Bailey’s character Lord Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest Bridgerton sibling who became the Viscount after his father’s death. Lady Whistledown previously revealed in her society papers that Anthony “intends to dominate the social season” in Season 2 of the scandalous period drama, which begins production this spring. “We’re really going to be with the eldest Bridgerton brother next season, our Viscount Lord Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey," showrunner Chris Van Dusen teased while announcing the Season 2 renewal on the TODAY show. “We left him at the end of the first season at a bit of a crossroads, so I’m looking forward to jumping in and discovering how he fares on the marriage market." Will Kate be the one? Here is what we know about Anthony’s romantic interest:
Who is Kate Sheffield in Bridgerton?
Kate Sheffield is making her debut in London at the ripe age of 20: After the death of her father, money is tight for this country family, so her stepmother could only afford one coming out for both Kate and her younger half-sister, Edwina. But luckily for them, beautiful Edwina is the “incomparable” of the season—just in time to attract the attention of the Viscount Bridgerton, who has finally decided it’s time to settle down and produce an heir. But for him, marriage is transactional, and love is not on his mind. Kate considers herself plainer and more outspoken than her gorgeous sister, and isn’t too thrilled about getting married either, especially not to the superficial men of the ton.
What happens to Kate in the Bridgerton books?
Kate first meets Anthony when he begins courting her sister, as Edwina has said she will not marry anyone without her sister’s approval. Unfortunately, Kate is aware of Anthony’s reputation as a “rake” (the 19th century version of a player) and doesn’t approve, even though his wealth and position would secure her and her stepmother’s futures as well as Edwina’s.
Do Kate Sheffield and Anthony Bridgerton fall in love in the Bridgerton books?
With witty banter and plenty of misunderstandings, Kate and Anthony develop a connection, and, well, we don’t want to spoil it, but you can guess what happens next. And let’s just say that like Daphne and Simon, marriage itself isn’t the end of the story, either.
Will the show follow Kate’s storyline from the book?
There’s no guarantee the series will stick to the book exactly, so viewers can expect there to be some differences. “I think [creator and executive producer] Chris Van Dusen has got this amazing ability to take Julia Quinn’s extraordinary books and her amazing worlds that she delicately filled with excitement and sexiness. And he takes it to a whole other level,” Bailey said on Entertainment Tonight on January 21. “So the fact that we’re following Anthony’s pursuit for love shows that you know there’s definitely going to be some similarities.”
Do we even know if Kate will be in the show?
Not exactly, but it would be quite a shock to book fans if she wasn’t. Van Dusen had this to say on TODAY on January 21: “We left [Anthony] at the end of the first season at a bit of a crossroads, so I’m looking forward to jumping in and see how he fares in the marriage market,” he said. “We’ll be introducing a bunch of new characters. Anthony will have a love interest next season, and it will be as sweeping and as beautiful as viewers came to expect from the first season.” Bailey also won’t come right out and say if Kate will be in the show. “Having read the second book, if Anthony gets to meet anyone half as brilliant as Kate Sheffield is, then he’s going to be a very lucky man,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
What about Siena and Anthony?!
Anthony and his opera singer mistress Siena (Sabrina Bartlett) seems to have ended things permanently at the end of Season 1, leaving the door open for him to find new love. But as Siena was mainly created for the show (her character doesn’t appear in book 1 and only briefly, and by a different name, appears in book 2), the shows’ writers could conceivably bring her back if they wanted.
Can we expect to see Kate’s dog, Newton?
Hopefully! Book fans have a soft spot for this plump corgi. “Regular readers know that I love to include animals in my books,” author Quinn said on her website. “Newton, the overweight corgi, was modeled after Homer, a very friendly corgi who lived on my street.”
Will Kate meet Daphne in Bridgerton Season 2?
Even though the show will focus on Anthony and his love interest—presumably, Kate—viewers will also likely see Daphne, Simon and the rest of the characters return in some way. Remember, there are a lot of storylines yet to follow from the end of season 1. And it’s likely the new and old characters will interact, as they do in the book. Daphne even gives Kate some advice about men in the book: “‘I’ve also learned,’ she whispered to Kate, ‘when it’s best just to keep one’s mouth shut. Men are much easier to manage once you understand a few basic facts about their nature.’” And later: “Daphne looped her arm through hers. ‘I do believe I adore you, Kate Sheffield,’ she announced.” We’re already loving their sisterly relationship!
When will we know more about Kate?
Like everyone else, we can’t wait for Kate, even if Lady Whistledown herself is telling us to be patient. “I will have my pen ready to report on any and all of [Lord Anthony’s] romantic activities,” her character writes in Netflix’s Season 2 announcement. “However, gentle reader, before you set the comments section alight with requests for more sordid details, know that I am disinclined to report on the particulars at this time. Patience, after all, is a virtue.” Thirsty for more about the show? Here are 25 fun facts about Bridgerton with all the behind-the-scenes scoop every fan should know! With reporting by Alex Hurtado
