Entertainment
Bridgerton season 2: Rege-Jean Page not returning as Duke of Hastings and fans are heartbroken
Rege-Jean Page is not returning as the Duke of Hastings for season two of Bridgerton and we can hear hearts breaking across the globe.
The actor won millions of fans for his role in season one, alongside Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne Bridgerton.
Netflix announced the news with a message from Lady Whistledown, which read: ‘Dear 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.’
Rege-Jean shared a sweet message, writing: ‘Pleasure and a privilege! An honour to be a member of the family – on and off screen, cast, crew and incredible fans – the love is real and will just keep growing.’
Showrunner Shonda Rimes added: ‘Remember: the Duke is never gone. He’s just waiting to be binge watched all over again. #ShondalandMenOnNetflixAreForever.’
Fans are absolutely heartbroken, with one writing: ‘Nooooo rege jean not returning to bridgerton?? I get his booked and busy but like.. not even a 5min cameo???’
Another said: ‘tell me this is April fools @regejean aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa’.
However, they’re still thrilled for the star, who clearly seems to be booked and busy after the success of the Netflix series.
‘KEEP THRIVING @regejean ! I’m excited to see all the amazing projects you will be apart of [sic],’ an excited fan wrote, while another added: ‘Thank you @regejean for your amazing work on s1! Cant wait to see all the amazing things you do next!’
Rege-Jean, 31, shot to fame after starring in the Netflix drama, which followed the love story between his character, Simon, and Phoebe’s, Daphne.
Fans got gripped on the suspenseful storylines, the gorgeous costumes and scenery and, of course, the raunchy scenes, with celeb fans including Kim Kardashian, who has also been left aghast at the news.
Despite his exit, Rege-Jean clearly has a lot of love for the series, recently praising the Shondaland show.
‘People of colour in Bridgerton do challenge the status quo but not necessarily as a form of calculated rebellion,’ he said.
‘It’s important to include black people and not just black skin on screen because then you see what a black life is and sometimes that challenges the status quo.’
Chatting to Man About Town, Page added: ‘We’re just out here living our lives but the difference is now we’re starting to do it in the same light as everyone else.’
While hearts are definitely breaking at the thought of Rege-Jean’s departure, season two is still shaping up to be incredible.
The new season is due to begin production soon, with our beloved Duke and Daphne taking a back seat in the latest festivities as her oldest brother Anthony takes centre stage.
The Viscount character, played by Jonathan Bailey, had his heart broken during the first season, and has since vowed to find a wife… but not for love, rather than for a straight business deal so he can continue his frivolity.
But newcomer Kate Sharma (played by Sex Education’s Simone Young), soon catches his eye, and his plans may be thrown out the window as he falls in love.
It was recently revealed that British actor Rupert Young and Charithra Chandran will be playing starring roles in season two.
According to Deadline, Young – who is best known as Sir Leon in Merlin – will take on a particular ‘major new role’ which is not present in the books.
Charithra will play Kate’s younger sister.
Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix.
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