Regé-Jean Page Shocks Fans With Disappointing ‘Bridgerton’ Announcement

Say it ain't so! Regé-Jean Page, who played the enigmatic Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett, will be unfortunately absent for season 2 of the popular Netflix drama, “Bridgerton.”

Although season 1 focused on the love affair between him and Phoebe Dynevor's Daphne Bridgerton, season 2 looks to shift the story in a new direction by focusing on other members of the Bridgerton family.

The Announcement

Fans learned Page wouldn't be reprising his role last week, when the official “Bridgerton” social media accounts posted a letter from Lady Whistledown herself. The letter read:

“While all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton's quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings. We'll miss Simon's presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family. Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer—more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear.”

Page's Reaction

Although the announcement stunned fans, Page, 31, had nothing but positive things to say about his time on the show.

In a brief Instagram post, he wrote, “The ride of a life time. It's been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family—not just on screen, but off screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans—it's all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing.”

A One Season Arc

In a later interview, Page admitted that this was always the plan for his character and he didn't expect to return for a second season.

“It's a one-season arc,” Page revealed. “It's going to have a beginning, middle, end—give us a year. [I thought] 'That's interesting,' because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”

A Happy Ending

Although fans like Kim Kardashian may be disappointed that Page isn't returning, he feels relieved to know that he's able to leave fans with a satisfying ending.

“One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes,” he explained. “They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we're going to come out and we're going to have the marriage and the baby.”

Although there has been no official release date set for season 2, filming is expected to begin later this year.

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