The real reason why Regé Jean Page left Bridgerton

What many of us thought was a cruel April fools joke soon became a very real and devastating revelation last year—The Duke of Hasting would not be returning for Bridgerton second season. But why did Simon leave Bridgerton, you may wonder?

The Duke, played by Regé Jean Page, stole our hearts in the Christmas Netflix smash hit Bridgerton. We were treated to a beautiful love story and steamy love scenes which left us demanding a second season.

Sadly, however, Regé is not returning for season two, or any other future Bridgerton seasons, and here's why.

So, why did Regé Jean Page leave Bridgerton?

Thankfully the reason behind his departure isn’t because of any fallings out with Netflix or the production crew, so no drama there. It’s simply because he only ever planned to do one season.

He told Variety (opens in new tab) that he entered the role knowing he would only be in the first season from the very beginning. He said: "It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year."

Adding that it felt like a limited series, he said about his role: "I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit, and then the Bridgerton family rolls on."

He continued: "I have nothing but excitement for Bridgerton continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe, but there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing." It really did stick the landing, and we can still pray for a cameo one day though right?

His departure will not have come as a huge surprise to fans of the novels, as the books focus on one sibling at a time. The first book, 'The Duke and I', focused on Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset’s love story. The second book and the format for the second season—'The Viscount who loved me'— focuses on Anthony Bridgerton’s story (hi there, Jonathan Bailey) and will follow his romantic journey with a mysterious lady, Kate Sharma Sheffield (played by Sex Education's Simone Ashley). 

The rest of the books follow suit, each focusing on the Bridgerton siblings right down to the youngest sister Hyacinth.

The reactions to Regé Jean Page's Bridgerton departure

Fans took to Twitter to reassure fellow fans, that this was not an out-of-the-blue decision. One said: "Me, trying to explain to literally every person I have ever met the Duke of Hastings is barely in book 2 (The Viscount Who Loved Me) and although it's sad, it'll be FINE STOP TALKING SH*T."

Others are inconsolable and mourning the departure of the Duke and we really can't blame them.