The cast of “Bridgerton” is getting a shake-up.
Leading man Regé-Jean Page will not be reprising his role as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, in the second season of the Netflix drama, The Hollywood Report notes.
Page rose to stardom and became a heartthrob following the premiere of the Shonda Rhimes-drama, however, sources reveal that he was always signed for a one-season deal and “completed his contractual obligation.”
Netflix shared the news on social media via an announcement from the show’s gossip girl, Lady Whistledown, writing: "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. Yours truly, Lady Whistledown."
Page thanked fans and the series on Twitter, 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."
Executive producer Rhimes also commented: "Remember: the Duke is never gone. He’s just waiting to be binge watched all over again. #ShondalandMenOnNetflixAreForever"
The series chronicles the powerful Bridgerton family’s siblings on their journey to find love.
With that in mind, each season pulls inspiration from a different one of Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels.
Phoebe Dynevor, who plays the Duke’s wife, Daphne, will remain an integral part of the series. In the second season, based on Quinn's novel “The Viscount Who Loved Me,” she helps her brother and the season’s lead, Anthony Bridgerton (played by Jonathan Bailey), navigate the social scene.
“Bridgerton,” set in the Regency era in England, remains Netflix’s biggest hit with over 63 million households streaming the series within the first 28 days of its release.
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The outlet notes that there are plans for a total of eight seasons, which means that there’s always a chance the Duke will return for a cameo!
Following his role in the series, Page has kept himself quite busy. He hosted “Saturday Night Light,” he’s set to star in Netflix’s “The Gray Man” and Paramount’s “Dungeons and Dragons,” and there were even rumors that he’s in the running to become the next James Bond.
During an appearance on an episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” he addressed the possibility of replacing Daniel Craig in the franchise.
“I think the internet thinks a lot of things, and that is one of the more pleasant ones, so I can be pleased as far as that goes,” Page explained. “But no, I think there might be an element of cultural translation to be done here. If you’re a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown that people regard well, then people start saying the B-word.”
He added: “But I don’t think it’s much more than that,” he added. “I’m very, very glad to have the badge. I’m glad to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge. But it’s a badge.”
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