Why Bridgerton Heartthrob Regé-Jean Page Not Joining Season 2 After An Awkward ‘Disagreement’

Bridgerton is finally back on our screens today – but the most handsome man in the kingdom won’t be back.

The much-loved Netflix show is back with a highly-anticipated second series full of suitors, love triangles, and intrigue-talking Lady Whisteldown.

However, dear reader, I regret to inform you that dashing duke Simon Hastings will not be joining ‘Ton this season.

Avid viewers love the thrifty character, who was involved in some pretty rough bedroom scenes last time, but sadly he won’t be returning with his wife Daphne Bridgerton (Phoeve Dynevor).

Breakout star Rege-Jean Page will not be returning to the Regent era after ‘disagreements’ were reported with show bosses – with claims he turned down a whopping $50,000 per practice.

So what’s the reason we don’t get to see Bridgerton’s heart in season 2?

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Regé-Jean took to Instagram last April to confirm the sad news, along with a photo of himself on a horse as Simon, writing: “Trip of a time of a lifetime.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family – not just on screen but off screen as well.

“Our amazingly creative and generous cast, crew, amazing fans – it’s all beyond my imagination.

“Love is real and will continue to grow,” he added, along with a love heart emoji.

However, it has been reported that Page will not return as the Duke because he doesn’t like what the producers have planned for his ferocious character.

“Regé will not return to Bridgerton because of creative differences with [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes and her team,” a Hollywood source told Page Six.

“He’s not happy with what’s planned for his character in Season 2, which would make him a player but not the focus of the show.”

The source added that he “received a lot of offers for other interesting and challenging lead roles”.

Based on The Hollywood ReporterRege-Jean was offered to return as a guest star for three to five episodes of the second season for $50,000/episode.

Despite the “creative differences”, it was added that Trang is leaving on good terms so a future cameo can be hoped for.

It was Rege-Jean who told Diversity that the plan only appeared in Bridgerton’s first season because his character had found love.

“It’s a one-season round. It’s going to have a beginning, a middle, an end – give us a year,” he told the publication.

“[I thought] ‘That’s exciting,’ because then it’s like a limited series. I have to participate, I have to contribute my little bit and then the Bridgerton family will move on. “

However, the massive success of the show and Page’s star cast is believed to have contributed to the show reaching out to him in January and February regarding a comeback.

The author of the book series based on the Netflix series, Julia Quinn, has said that she hopes Daphne and Simon still have a big part in the new series.

Although the pair are smaller characters in the novel’s sequel, she said Sun : “They appear in [second] book.

“The series doesn’t follow the book word for word – and I don’t think [it] Candlestick. So I hope so, for no other reason than Daphne has the power to interfere in Anthony’s life.

“For her to turn down that opportunity would be criminal. I think it would be lovely to see.”

Show producer Shonda Rhimes admitted how confused she was by the uproar over Rege’s exit.

“I was really shocked because usually, that happens when I’ve killed someone who’s been around for a while,” she said.

“Like, we didn’t kill him, he’s still alive,” the producer told Vanity Fair magazine.

The news was first announced on Bridgerton’s Instagram page in the style of Lady Whistledown’s gossip column.

“Dearest readers, while all eyes are on Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find the Viscount, we highlight Rege-Jean Page, who triumphed as the Duke of Hastings,” it reads. .

“We will miss Simon’s presence on screen, but he will always be part of the Bridgerton family.

“Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it brings – more intrigue and romance than my readers can endure.”

The photo was captioned: “Your Majesty, it’s a pleasure.”

Many fans couldn’t believe what was happening, and some even hoped it was an April Fool’s joke.

Upcoming episodes will see Jonathan Bailey become the host of the show, as his character Anthony Bridgerton begins a romance with newcomer Kate Sharma, who will be played by Sex Education star Simone Ashley shoulder.

While Page’s on-screen wife, Sally Dynevor’s daughter Phoebe, will continue to appear on the show based on the second novel The Viscount Who Loved Me.

Regé-Jean himself is also said to be currently focusing on his film career, as shown by his roles in Netflix’s thriller The Gray Man and the adaptation of the board game Dungeons and Dragons.

Bridgerton’s former co-star Adjoa Andoh, who played his on-screen aunt Lady Danbury in the historical drama, admitted he would be a miss but she wasn’t surprised.

Describing him as “a friend for life,” Adjoa explained: “We all love Rege and we will miss Rege but it wasn’t a big surprise.”

Regé-Jean was once one of the favorites to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond.

When asked about the role of Jimmy Kimmel, Regé-Jean replied, “I think the Internet comes up with a lot of things, it’s one of the more pleasant things, so I’m very pleased with that. But I think , may be an element of the cultural translation here.”

“If you’re British and you do something that’s famous, well-reviewed, people will start saying the ‘B’. It’s like a merit badge. You’ll get a badge. certificate of merit from ‘B’.”

He added: “I’m happy to have the badge, I’m happy to be in a great company of badgers, but it’s a badge.”

Late last year, Regé-Jean admitted he “respectfully exited” the cast’s WhatsApp group chat because he didn’t want to be kicked out.

“No, the universe has expanded. So I’m not in it anymore,” he said GQ in September. I respectfully depart. I don’t want to put them in the awkward situation of forcing me out. ”

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