Dear reader, it is a sad day. It was announced on Friday, April 2 that actor Regé-Jean Page's Simon Hastings would not be in Bridgerton Season 2. The news was originally reported by Variety and confirmed by Netflix in a letter from Lady Whistledown, with a note, "Your Grace, it has been a pleasure." And no, readers, this is not a delayed April Fools joke.
The note from Lady Whistledown — and Netflix — reads:
Dearest Readers,
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.
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistledown
This is surprising news for fans, who responded quite warmly to Page's role as Simon in the series. Page can easily be classified as the breakout star of Bridgerton, with many hoping a Season 2 would allow the once hardened-by-life character to let down his walls and embrace being a husband and new father to his son with Daphne.
However, the news of Page leaving isn't shocking for the actor himself. According to Variety, the actor knew that his role was that of a "one-season arc," which he told the publication exclusively.
"One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes ... 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.”
Given that "beginning, middle, and end" of Simon and Daphne's love story fell into place throughout the first season, it makes sense that the plot would continue on without focusing entirely on the young couple's next chapter. (The next chapter will focus on Anthony Bridgerton and his love story with Kate.) However, fans still held out hope that because of the meteoric success of the series and the adoration for the actor/character, there'd at least be some brother-in-law pop ins. According to Variety, that was never the plan. As the publication shared, Page was only contracted for one season.
So what happens next? With Phoebe Dynevor's Daphne set to assist her brother in his own romantic entanglements, the show will surely address her doting husband's absence, right?
Read more...
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Daphne & Simon's Dances In Bridgerton, Ranked By Suppressed Sexual Tension
Bridgerton Season 2 Is Officially Happening & Anthony Better Be Ready
Images: Netflix