The Featherington family’s chaotic energy has long been one of the most entertaining running threads in Bridgerton. Their schemes, squabbles, and slightly unhinged dinner table conversations have consistently provided comic relief alongside the show’s grand romances. That’s why many viewers noticed something felt a little off during the first half of season four: the Featheringtons were noticeably less present than usual. This has naturally led fans to ask a big question—who, exactly, will be returning when season four part two arrives?

To start with, it’s worth clarifying where the Featheringtons actually are in season four so far. Thankfully, Portia Featherington has not disappeared from the narrative. She still plays a significant role in the season, continuing her reign as one of the show’s most calculating and sharp-tongued matriarchs. Portia remains deeply involved in both family affairs and broader social maneuverings, much to the relief of fans who consider her an essential ingredient of the series.

Philippa Featherington has also made at least one on-screen appearance, popping up in the third episode. While her presence was brief, it was enough to reassure viewers that the Featherington sisters haven’t been completely sidelined. However, beyond Portia and Philippa, the rest of the family has largely been absent in the first half of the season, at least visually.

Interestingly, Philippa’s husband Mr Finch and Prudence’s husband Mr Dankworth were not entirely forgotten. They were referenced in dialogue, even if they didn’t physically appear. Penelope mentioned that both men, along with Colin, attend a monthly dinner where they famously “eat all of London.” The line served as a small but amusing nod to their existence and suggested that family bonds—and appetites—are still going strong off-screen. Still, for fans hoping to actually see these characters, the lack of appearances was disappointing.

So, what does this mean for season four part two? The official Netflix cast list for season four did not include actors playing Prudence, Mr Finch, or Mr Dankworth. At first glance, this might seem like confirmation that they won’t be returning. However, the show’s casting announcements have proven to be incomplete before. Harriet Cains, who plays Philippa, was not listed either, despite her clear appearance in the season. Similarly, Simone Ashley was missing from the cast list, yet it has been confirmed that Kate and Anthony will return in the latter half of season four. In other words, absence from the list doesn’t automatically equal absence from the show.

There is, in fact, some promising evidence that Mr Finch may return in part two. In autumn 2024, sound producer John Rodda shared behind-the-scenes photos from the production of season four. One image showed a soundboard with microphones labeled for different characters. Notably, one of those microphones was labeled “Finch,” immediately catching the attention of eagle-eyed fans. While this is not an official confirmation, it strongly suggests that Mr Finch was at least involved in filming at some point.

Adding to that optimism, the talent agency representing Lorn Macdonald, the actor who portrays Mr Finch, reshared a Netflix announcement about season four on Instagram and stated that he was part of the cast. Again, this falls short of a formal statement from Netflix, but taken together with the soundboard photo, it paints a fairly hopeful picture for fans who enjoy Philippa and Finch’s dynamic.

The outlook is less encouraging for fans of Prudence and Mr Dankworth, often affectionately dubbed “Prudank” by viewers. Bessie Carter, who plays Prudence, has been asked directly about her involvement in season four. In an interview with Fangirlish, she laughed and said she couldn’t reveal anything, adding that she would if she could. While she didn’t explicitly say she wasn’t in the season, the vague response didn’t offer much reassurance either.

As for James Phoon, who plays Mr Dankworth, there have been no hints from him suggesting a return in season four. No behind-the-scenes teases, no social media clues—nothing that fans can cling to for hope. At this point, it seems unlikely that Prudence and Mr Dankworth will have a significant on-screen presence in part two, though a brief cameo can’t be entirely ruled out.

In summary, while the Featheringtons have been thinner on the ground in the first half of season four, they are not entirely gone. Portia remains firmly in the story, Philippa has already appeared, and there is credible evidence suggesting Mr Finch may return in part two. Prudence and Mr Dankworth, however, appear to be the biggest question marks, with little concrete information pointing to their involvement. As always with Bridgerton, fans will have to wait for the next batch of episodes to see just how much Featherington chaos is still to come.