The characters in Bridgerton have been beloved since author Julia Quinn began publishing the series in 2000. But there’s one heroine in particular who has been lauded by many a book reader: Miss Kate Sheffield, or, in the second season of the Netflix hit, Miss Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley). 

Introduced in the second book in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, Kate is the protective older half-sister of one of the social season’s latest gems, Edwina (Charithra Chandran), and one-third of the close-knit Sheffield (in the show, Sharma) family. Kate’s mother died when she was young, so she was raised by her father and stepmother, Mary (Shelley Conn). Kate is single-mindedly focused on making sure her younger sister is happy, but the elder sister soon catches the attention of one Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), who can’t get her off of his mind. And neither, it seems, can fans of the books. 

Why have so many characters latched onto Kate over the years? Tudum put out a call to Bridgerton book fans (and Kate superfans) in the most scientific way we know how: Twitter. Why do Bridgerton book lovers connect so well with Kate? And why are they so excited to see her on-screen? Please read on for the very official results of our poll. 

She’s a devoted big sister.

As all older siblings know, the eldest child of the family can often feel extra pressure (whether self-imposed or not) to live up to expectations and to go above and beyond to protect the family’s interests. This is especially true of Kate, who prioritizes her sister’s happiness over her own. “I’ve always felt this responsibility to family, and, like Kate, I seem to put myself last a lot of the time," wrote one Twitter user. Writes Amrita Bhortake, “As a big sister, I relate so much to what she goes through in her life.”

Kate doesn’t think twice about protecting her family, even if it means ignoring her needs. “She’s incredibly brave and loving. I love so many things about her, but I admire her so much for loving her family. She always puts her family first; she hides her traumas and fears to protect them. And when she decides to love, she loves very much,” writes Anladybee.

She’s strong yet vulnerable. 

While she puts up an impenetrable front, Kate still allows herself to feel deeply. She might not show it on the outside, but, throughout the story, readers can see and relate to how Kate begins to let down her guard. Casey Splinter says, “Her evolution toward vulnerability never contradicts who she initially was as a character. She learns, grows, and changes but remains utterly true to herself at her core. She felt very real and lived in as a person/heroine.” Twitter user katnekk says, “I’m in love with Kate because she can be strong and, at the same time, very sensitive. Being strong doesn’t mean you can’t let yourself be passionate about your life. And she is full of [passion].” 

Importantly, “people who are strong or look okay on the outside often have a lot going on beneath the surface,” adds Lauren. That’s something user niiikkiiix can deeply relate to: “Kate really resonated with me due to her vulnerabilities and how she eventually overcomes them,” she writes. “She always has had her walls up and I also have a hard time completely opening up.” 

She overcame trauma.

As user fitz1121 points out, Kate — and other people who want to be perceived strong — are often “wearing a mask.” On the outside, they may seem bulletproof, but inside, they’re harboring some deep emotional wounds. In Kate’s case, the association she has between rainstorms and her mother’s untimely death has given her a petrifying fear that she can’t even share with her family. 

“Her trauma is something that I can really relate to, and seeing her overcome those fears was really inspiring for me,” writes laufystark. Similarly, says one user, “Her courage to face panic attacks alone since she was little so as not to worry anyone shows how strong and amazing she is. She won me over for that.” And despite how crippling Kate’s fear of storms became, she was able to work through it and continue to dedicate herself to her family. “She’s an intelligent, brave woman with vulnerabilities and a dark past,” says Steph. “And she was able to overcome all that and be there for others.”

She gives as good as she gets.

Kate is no pushover. In fact, that’s what draws Anthony to her in the first place, and their verbal sparring is what leads to sparks flying. As Becky on Twitter points out, “She’s witty, she has an abundance of love, she doesn’t suffer fools, she holds her own in a man’s world, she’s selfless, she owns her desires.” Another user echoes that thought, reminding us that Kate is “genuinely funny and witty, knows how to hold her own and doesn’t let a man dictate her worth.”

Kate is also stubborn as hell, and someone who would feel just as home in our modern world as she does in the Regency era. One Twitter user explains, “Even though she’s a heroine from 1814, she’s relatable to women in 2022. She's opinionated, outspoken, articulate and confident in her beliefs. She doesn’t cower to societal pressures or get intimidated easily. She bends the rules, is a bit of a feminist, a true rebel queen.”

She’s responsible for this.

Points out one user, “She got her enemy-turned-lover drenched, what’s not to love?” Enough said.

She rules.

If the above reasons didn’t convince you, let Hildyby remind you that Kate “is a badass, really.” Put simply, by Meghan on Twitter, Kate is so very beloved to book readers “because she’s the f***ing best.”