Regé-Jean Page, star of Netflix and Shondaland’s hit series, Bridgerton, will not be a part of the Season 2 cast. As a result, his role as Simon aka the Duke of Hastings will not be included in the upcoming storyline. The now-viral announcement was made on the show’s official Twitter account on Friday morning (April 2).
Carrying on the mysterious theme of the series’ publication Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, the paper reads: “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.”
It continues: “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.”
Page took to his personal Instagram account to share the news and express his gratitude for being a part of a fan-favorite, record-breaking series that caught the dreamy hearts of many streamers around the world.
“The ride of a life time,” he wrote beneath a photo of himself atop a horse while dressed as his character. “It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family – not just on screen, but off screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans – it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing ❤️❤️❤️💫”.
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Shonda Rhimes post shared a photo of Page as Simon on her Instagram page with the caption, “Remember: the Duke is never gone. He’s just waiting to be binge watched all over again. #ShondalandMenOnNetflixAreForever”.
So far, the news has garnered a lot of reactions. Many women and fans of the show have expressed their sadness while wondering whether it’s worth following the series, considering British-Zimbabwean’s NAACP Image Award-winning performance of his alluring, dark, and handsome character.
What…whyyyy pic.twitter.com/KGpVgdItxq
— Victoria Bonita 🦋 (@originalVikki) April 2, 2021
Wait but what’s the point of watching the show then?
— Dr! Jessica N. Pabón 🇵🇷 (@justjess_PhD) April 2, 2021
Well, not sure what the point of watching this now. We all know that Simon was the reason why most of us were watching this :/
— Sarah Al-Ajeel (@sarahajeel) April 2, 2021
Question, dearest author,
does this mean that the scrumptious Duke will no longer appear on screen in any of the seasons to come?
Stare into my eyes and tell me it’s not true— Ara 👸🏾 (@ms_pettyamazon) April 2, 2021
NOOOOOO, WE DONT GET TO SEE THIS AGAIN pic.twitter.com/QIj4F6vCXW
— Crazybadassbitch (@duaa39899516) April 2, 2021
The next season is about Anthony’s marriage and the book is sooo good, even better than the first one! Please don’t give up on watching the show! Give it a chance 😊
— bru (@thonybdgerton) April 2, 2021
Like the actual Julia Quinn novels within the Bridgerton Series, each season will focus on a character within the Bridgerton family. Season 2 will follow the love story of Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton and is based on the second book in Quinn’s series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. Although, the Duke of Hastings will not physically appear in the next series of episodes, Page’s co-star Phoebe Dynevor will return as the Duchess of Hastings as Anthony’s supportive sister.