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—The Duke of Hasting will not be returning for Bridgerton second season. But why is Simon leaving 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 will not be returning for season two, or any other future Bridgerton seasons, and here's why.

Why is Simon aka the Duke of Hastings leaving 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 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 and will follow his romantic journey with a mysterious lady. But who is Kate in Bridgerton?

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

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.

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So what is Regé Jean Page's next project? 

Fear not, Duke fans— even though we’ll never see him grace our screens in Bridgerton again, there are several exciting projects on the horizon.

Regé will be starring alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans (what a lineup) in the Netflix spy movie The Gray Man.

He will also be appearing in the live-action Dungeons and Dragons film and let's not forget about those James Bond rumors. Fingers crossed!