Bridgerton season 4 episode 3 brings back an unexpected character

Bridgerton season 4 part 1 is now on Netflix for fans to stream and enjoy. After watching Colin and Penelope's love story unfold in season 3, this brand-new installment shifts the focus to Benedict. We watch as the witty and free-spirited second Bridgerton son, who has long avoided the entanglements of love, finds himself swept into a complicated romance with the mysterious woman in silver, Sophie Baek.

But that's not all that the fourth season focuses on. There are also side stories explored throughout the first four episodes. One such story includes the return of a character we did not expect to see at all this season.

Major spoilers are ahead from Bridgerton season 4 part 1!

Philippa Featherington returns in Bridgerton season 4

That's right! The character who we weren't expecting to make an appearance in season 4 is Philippa Finch (née Featherington). Why? Well, the actress behind the character was not included in the official cast list at all for Bridgerton season 4. Harriet Cains played the role of Philippa for the show's first three seasons, and she makes a surprise return in the fourth installment.

Everything goes down in the third episode of Bridgerton season 4. A fierce maid war is unfolding across Mayfair, with staff abandoning their positions left and right in search of higher pay and/or better working conditions. One maid caught in the middle is the Featheringtons’ loyal and longtime housekeeper, Mrs. Varley. Though another household has tempted her with a better offer, she’s reluctant to leave the family she’s faithfully served for years. Determined to stay, she decides to approach Portia Featherington directly and request a raise.

It’s at this moment that Philippa makes her unexpected return. At the Featherington estate, Portia and Philippa are enjoying tea and discussing the chaos of the maid war when Mrs. Varley arrives with her bold proposal. Both women are initially surprised. Philippa even comments on the audacity of bringing up money in “family” company.

But Mrs. Varley stands her ground, pointing out that she goes far beyond the duties of her role. Portia tells her she doesn’t need to plead her case and that she’ll consider it. However, it soon becomes clear that she never truly intends to. Ultimately, Mrs. Varley makes the difficult decision to take up employment elsewhere with the Penwoods.

The only time we see Philippa is in the third episode, and it's for that brief tea scene. Honestly, I don't think it was really necessary to bring her back. It's not because I don't like the character. Philippa is one of the characters who usually brings comedic relief to the show, but in this instance, her return feels almost like a throwaway cameo. After discovering that we don't see her again throughout the rest of part 1, I was left wondering what was even the point of bringing her back in the first place.

Perhaps she might return in Bridgerton season 4 part 2, but we'll just have to wait and see. The remaining four episodes of the fourth season are set to be released on Netflix on Feb. 26!