Every 'Bridgerton' Season 2 near-kiss, ranked

Feel. The. *Tension*.
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Kate and Anthony nearly kissing in "Bridgerton" Season 2
Are you guys gonna kiss or not? Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Mashable’s Ranked series crowns the best and sorts the rest.


Tread carefully, for this article is thorny with Bridgerton Season 2 spoilers.

If Bridgerton Season 2 taught us anything, it's that there is absolutely no limit to a) how much sexual tension can be crammed into a game of pall-mall, or b) the sheer number of will-they-won't-they-kiss scenes that can be breathily shoe-horned into a script.

Now, after a full eight-episode soundtrack of Anthony Bridgerton whisper-panting into our collective ears, it's time to revisit the best of them.


You May Also Like

Will it be the time Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) almost kissed after she got stung by that bee? The time they almost kissed while she was about to shoot that deer? You'll just have to read on to find out...

6. After the failed wedding (episode 6)

"Bridgerton" Anthony and Kate after the failed wedding
Credit: Netflix

Key dialogue: "You should not be here."

Interrupted by: Kate's guilt.

This is both a) the last time Anthony and Kate have a near-kiss (they properly devour each other's faces later in the same episode), and b) the worst near-kiss on the list. Why? Because it barely even qualifies as a near-kiss. Sure, there's some tense hand-holding and eye contact, and yes, it gets some points for the sheer level of scandal involved (they're in a cupboard in the Queen's own house shortly after Anthony was supposed to have married Kate's sister, for goodness sake), but compared to the other entries it simply can't compete.

5. The library (episode 4)

"Bridgerton" Anthony and Kate in the library during a storm
Credit: Netflix

Key dialogue: "It is the storm...I have always found them unsettling."

Interrupted by: Thunder.

In episode 4, a chance night-time meeting in the library isn't far from cascading into kiss territory before Anthony and Kate are rudely interrupted by a loud clap of thunder. This one has plenty of tension, but loses points for the fact that, again, they don't really get that close to kissing.

4. The hunt (episode 4)

"Bridgerton" Season 2 hunting scene
Credit: Netflix

Key dialogue: "Just hold it...exhales...like this."

Interrupted by: The rest of the hunting party.

This one gets points for its rifle-based double entendres, but loses points because it's really more of an ear-whisper than a near-kiss.

3. The library, round two (episode 4)

"Bridgerton" Anthony and Kate in the library
Credit: Netflix

Key dialogue: "I am a gentleman."

Interrupted by: Anthony's sister.

This is a very strong near-kiss scene, partly due to the dialogue (at one point Anthony spits out the words "You hate me" to which Kate responds "Yes. I do. I hate you.") but mainly due to the very dramatic interruption from Anthony's sister Daphne (which marks the first time Anthony and Kate's shocking secret has been discovered).

2. After dinner with the Sheffields (episode 5)

"Bridgerton" after dinner with the Sheffields
Credit: Netflix

Key dialogue: "You are the bane of my existence...and the object of all my desires."

Interrupted by: Anthony's guilt.

You have to give the actors credit here. By this point they're on near-kiss number five, and they're clearly plumbing the depths of just how close two people can get to kissing without actually touching lips (a case in point being the screenshot above, where Anthony is squashing his nose so hard into Kate's cheek that it's almost folded in half). This one gets extra points for the dialogue, which includes such gems as the aforementioned "bane" line, "My father raised me to act with honour, but that honour is hanging by a thread," and "Do you think there is a corner of this Earth you could travel to far away enough to free me from this torment?"

1. The bee sting

"Bridgerton" Season 2 bee sting scene
Credit: Netflix

Key dialogue: "It was just...deep breath... a bee."

Interrupted by: A horse whinnying.

Oh, you didn't think bee stings could be sexy? Well think again! The scene that first ramped up the tension between Anthony and Kate pretty much had to be number one on this list, partly because it's the first domino that sets off all the rest in the season, but mainly because the whole thing is just so wonderfully ridiculous. A casual bee triggering traumatic memories and setting off a love triangle between a Lord and two sisters? Peak Bridgerton.

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

Mashable Potato

More from Ranked
The 15 horniest emoji, ranked
A illustration of two emoji faces texting eachother horny emoji including the eggplant, peach, and eyes emoji.

'Downton Abbey's most dramatic episodes, ranked
Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens as Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley in "Downton Abbey."

The hottest Disney animal characters, ranked
Oliver and Company's Georgette and Rita and Robin Hood's Robin Hood and Maid Marian, surrounded by hearts.

Fat bears, ranked
fat bears in trophies

'Severance' food, ranked
A man (Tramell Tillman as Mr. Milchick in "Severance") rolling a card of honeydew and cantaloupe melon.

Recommended For You
'Bridgerton' Season 4 review: A Cinderella story to die for
Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson in "Bridgerton."

'Bridgerton' Season 4 Part 2 trailer teases a steamy bath scene
Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha in 'Bridgerton.'

'Bridgerton' Season 5 will focus on Francesca and Michaela's love story
Masali Baduza and Hannah Dodd in 'Bridgerton.'

Everything you need to remember before 'Bridgerton' Season 4
Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) in "Bridgerton."


More in Entertainment

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!