With Phoebe Dynevor (who plays Daphne) no longer a part of the Bridgerton main cast, the Netflix series tried its hardest to replace her, but season 3 demonstrated exactly why the eldest daughter is irreplaceable. The historical romance TV show is based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series, with each season revolving around the love story of one Bridgerton sibling. Season 1 chronicled Daphne’s whirlwind romance with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, and ever since its last episode, Daphne has scarcely been seen on the show.

Dynevor reprised her role as Daphne in a few Bridgerton season 2 episodes. However, the actress did not return in season 3 — not even to attend her brother’s wedding to Penelope Featherington (or Francesca’s wedding to John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, for that matter). Daphne was completely absent during Bridgerton season 3, and even though the Netflix series evidently attempted to replace her with one of her sisters (Francesca), Daphne’s absence in the latest Bridgerton episodes was more prevalent than ever.

Francesca Shows Daphne Can’t Fully Be Replaced In Bridgerton

Francesca’s Role In Season 3 Contrasted With Daphne’s In Season 1

Bridgerton recast the role of Francesca in season 3 after Ruby Stokes left the show, and Hannah Dodd took her place as the third-youngest Bridgerton sibling at the beginning of Colin’s season. Francesca, similar to Daphne, made her debut into society during the premiere, and just like her older sister, Queen Charlotte chose Francesca as the diamond of the season. Queen Charlotte called Francesca her “sparkler,” but she seemed just as impressed by her as she was with Daphne in season 1. While Daphne and Francesca share this one thing in common, they couldn’t be more different everywhere else.

The Netflix historical romance series still has to provide a better explanation for Phoebe Dynevor’s character’s absence if she doesn’t reprise her role in season 4.

Francesca is reserved and content with living a quiet life, while Daphne is accustomed to (and takes pleasure in) being in the spotlight. Daphne also wanted an epic love story like her parents, and Francesca told her mother she was okay with not having a love match. So, while Bridgerton season 3 seemingly tried to replace Daphne with Francesca, the episodes only highlighted their differences. Consequently, the Netflix series won’t be able to find a stand-in for Daphne, especially since Francesca was supposed to take on that role and moved to Scotland at the end of Bridgerton season 3.

Bridgerton Needs To Properly Explain Daphne’s Absence If She Doesn’t Return

Daphne’s Absence Is Still Confusing (In The Context Of The Show)

It’s okay if Bridgerton fails to replace Daphne as it’s evident she is irreplaceable. However, the Netflix historical romance series still has to provide a better explanation for Phoebe Dynevor’s character’s absence if she doesn’t reprise her role in season 4. The fact that Daphne missed Colin and Francesca’s weddings is baffling, partly because the show didn’t provide a good reason as to why she wasn’t in attendance. Bridgerton can’t just claim that Daphne is off-screen at important events, and season 4 must have a better justification for her probable absence.

It is rather easy for the other characters in Bridgerton to reference Daphne’s whereabouts in future episodes. Perhaps Daphne writes her mother a letter telling her family about what she has been up to since she last visited and how her children (or other duties as the Duchess of Hastings) are keeping her busy. Or Violet makes an offhand comment about Daphne being pregnant again, so she cannot travel. Whatever the case, Bridgerton season 4 must (at the very least) mention Daphne and explain why she isn’t around.

Why Phoebe Dynevor Left Bridgerton After Season 2 & Could She Return In Season 4?

Dynevor Felt That Daphne’s Story Was Complete

Daphne’s role was reduced in Bridgerton season 2, then completely erased in season 3 as Phoebe Dynevor didn’t appear in the episodes. While speaking with Variety in January 2023, the actress explained why she exited the Netflix historical romance TV show. Dynevor said:

“Well, I did my two seasons. I’ve done what I wanted to do with that character, and she had a great arc. If they ask me back in the future, who knows?”

When Screen Rant also asked Dynevor about returning in Bridgerton season 3, the actress confirmed she wouldn’t be in it. However, Dynevor teased that she “potentially [might return] in the future.” So, Dynevor left Bridgerton after season 2 because she felt as if her character’s story was complete and there was not much more she could offer to the series. But the door is open for Dynevor’s return, despite the unlikelihood of it happening outside a guest appearance in an episode or two.

What Happens To Daphne In The Bridgerton Books

Daphne & Simon Have More Children

Daphne’s love story with the Duke culminates in the first installment of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book series — The Duke and I. Whereas the novel concludes with the two getting married without having children, season 1 of Bridgerton ends with Daphne giving birth to a baby boy that she and Simon named Augie. Meanwhile, Daphne gets pregnant in the second book — The Viscount Who Loved Me, Anthony and Kate’s story — and gives birth to a daughter named Amelia.

Daphne and Simon go on to have four more children together over the course of the Bridgerton book series. After Amelia comes Belinda, and during Benedict’s novel, An Offer From a Gentleman, Daphne gives birth to a baby girl named Caroline. Daphne and Simon then have their first boy, David, and 17 years later, their fifth and final child, Edward, is born after an unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, the rest of Daphne’s story will probably happen offscreen in Netflix’s Bridgerton as Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page are unlikely to return in a major capacity in future seasons.