Regé-Jean Page Will Not Return for Season Two of ‘Bridgerton’ on Netflix

Leave it to Lady Whistledown to spread gossip and destroy hearts. Based on the latest post from the “Bridgerton” Instagram, Regé-Jean Page and his character Simon Bassett will not have a place in season 2 of the popular Netflix series from Shondaland Productions.

The news came suddenly and only a day after April Fool’s, making some believe that the announcement might not be the complete truth. But with Page himself commenting on the post, along with Shondaland and even Kim Kardashian West, the fate of our dear Simon Bassett appears to be real.

On his own Instagram account Page posted a photo dressed in character, thanking followers for “the ride of a life time.”

Now that we must ‘bid adieu’ to the fair Duke, where does that leave the rest of the cast and characters in anticipation of season 2? Obviously, Lady Whistledown has the answers. Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) will remain relevant to the plot as a doting wife and sister, helping her siblings navigate the next season of courtships, romance, and drama.

The surprise announcement that @regejean‘s Simon Basset would not be part of #Bridgerton Season 2 didn’t come as a surprise to the actor: “It felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.” https://t.co/wZmj7EKR7S pic.twitter.com/xbnNJixJ6e

— Variety (@Variety) April 2, 2021

As Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s books of the same name, audiences can expect this new season to focus on the eldest Bridgerton brother, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) in his own pursuit of love.

“One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes,” Page explains in an interview with Variety. “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.”

Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes posted a heartfelt goodbye to the man we’ve all been ‘burning for’ since the show’s release – and reminds us all that The Duke (and Regé-Jean Page) is only a binge watch away on Netflix.

While Page may no longer appear before us in his 19th-century garb, it won’t be long before he’s on our screens again. He recently finished filming the Netflix spy thriller “The Gray Man” with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans and will soon star in a movie adaptation of Dungeons and Dragons.

For now, we should all take the advice of Shonda Rhimes and rewatch The Duke’s best moments in the first season – at least until this news has fully set in.

You can read here for more on Regé-Jean Page and his recent (amazing) accomplishments.