The real reason why Regé Jean Page left Bridgerton

Dry those tears, we’ve not seen the last of him

REGÉ-JEAN PAGE as SIMON BASSET in episode 108 of BRIDGERTON
(Image credit: NETFLIX © 2020/ LIAM DANIEL)

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 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.

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.

Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.