There's a reason Daphne Bridgerton hasn't returned and fans will be frustrated

Since its debut in 2020, Bridgerton remains one of the most popular Netflix original series—even though new seasons arrive every two years. The globally popular romantic period drama has further launched the careers of a number of its stars, like Jonathan Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, Simone Ashley, Nicola Coughlan, and Phoebe Dynevor. But not every star has returned for each season.

The first season centered on the romance between Daphne Bridgerton, the oldest daughter in the Bridgerton family, and Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings. Because each season places the focus on one love story, each season's central couple takes a backseat in succeeding seasons. While Page left the show after season 1, Dynevor reprised her role in season 2, but not since then.

Phoebe Dynevor hasn't been called to reprise her Bridgerton role

In Bridgerton season 2, Dynevor reprised her role as Daphne to help support her brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) through his romance with Kate (Simone Ashley). However, Dynevor didn't appear in season 3 for Colin (Luke Newton) and Penelope's (Nicola Coughlan) story or in the most recent fourth season for Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie's (Yerin Ha).

Most Bridgerton fans had likely assumed that Dynevor felt the same way as her season 1 on-screen romantic partner Regé-Jean Page, who has never returned to the series after completing his only contracted season. He has expressed his intention to move forward with other opportunities, despite the Duke still being a fan-favorite character, but Dynevor shared the real reason she hasn't been back.

During an interview with Collider Ladies Night podcast host Perri Nemiroff, Dynevor promoted her new hit Netflix shark movie Thrash and reflected on her career so far. Nemiroff asked Dynevor whether she decided to leave Bridgerton, but Dynevor denied Daphne being offscreen in seasons 3 and 4 being her choosing. Rather, she sheds light on how early contracts prevented her from returning. Also, she hasn't received a call from the powers that be to reprise her role after season 2.

"When the first season came out, they didn't know what they needed to put in place. So, we [Dynevor and Page] were the ones that got away, I think, in a certain way. But like, we would— I can only speak for myself — I would always come back if I was asked. I have not," Dynevor said. "I have not received a call, and when I get that call, I will be there if I can."

This revelation has to be frustrating for Bridgerton fans, who have been wondering why Daphne hasn't showed up onscreen for either of her brothers' weddings or the births of her nephews. It's been a big topic of conversation with each new season, as the absence of Daphne from various family events feels like the elephant in the room, especially when Anthony and Kate have made limited appearances in the two seasons that came after theirs.

Dynevor went on to explain that even though she hasn't been asked to return in Bridgerton seasons 3 and 4, she has relished the opportunity to take on many different roles since her breakthrough. She has kept busy with lots of film roles after the show, including Bank of Dave, Fair Play, Inheritance, Anniversary, and now Thrash. Next up, she will appear in the M. Night Shyamalan film Remain, the Zac Efron thriller Famous, and the horror movie Pendulum.

She was also cast as one of the leads in the upcoming Emily Henry adaptation of Beach Read and the Prime Video thriller series Dirty. There are two more seasons of Bridgerton already renewed, and season 5 has already started filming. It's unlikely that Dynevor will have the time to make an appearance in season 5 given her busy schedule, but we can stay hopeful for the future.

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