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Netflix and Shondaland’s hit series, Bridgerton, returns for season 2 in March 2022, but many viewers refuse to believe Regé-Jean Page won’t be in it. Bridgerton Season 1 followed the love story between Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon, the Duke of Hastings (Page). However, Shonda Rhimes based the story on an 8-part book series written by Julia Quinn. Each book revolves around a different Bridgerton sibling’s love story in the series. 

Bridgerton Season 2 is based on The Viscount Who Loved Me, featuring Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his romance with Kate Sheffield. (Producers changed her name to Kate Sharma, portrayed by Simone Ashley). Although Daphne and Simon’s love story is complete, could Page return for a cameo in Bridgerton Season 2 to appease the viewers?

'Bridgerton' stars Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page look into each other's eyes as Daphne and Simon
‘Bridgerton’: Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page | Liam Daniel/Netflix

Regé-Jean Page was never meant to appear in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2

Netflix and Shondaland announced on April 2, 2021, that Regé-Jean Page does not return for Bridgerton Season 2. They delivered the heartbreaking news via a letter from Lady Whistledown, the show’s narrator of the scandalous London social season.

“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,” read a letter shared to Twitter. “We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family.”

The internet went wild with the news that the man everyone fell in love with, in eight short episodes, won’t return for season 2. Since then, journalists and fans have found an excuse to turn every tiny morsel that Page utters about the show to mean that he might return in Bridgerton Season 2. However, he only signed a one-season contract and never intended to return.

Producer Shonda Rhimes does not see Regé-Jean Page ever returning

Shonda Rhimes told numerous outlets that it doesn’t make sense to bring Page back for Bridgerton Season 2. The upcoming social season is not about the Duke and Daphne. Any role he has would be so minor that it doesn’t seem worth it to Rhimes. 

“I don’t think so!” Rhimes told Variety when asked if Page could ever return. “And here’s why. He’s an enormous star now. As I like to say, the idea that we would write Regé to stand around in the background doesn’t make any sense at all to me. What would he do? is what I like to say.”

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Will Regé-Jean Page ever come back to ‘Bridgerton’?

Avid readers of Julia Quinn’s novels see an opening for Page to return to the Bridgerton cast in season 2 for a croquet “Pall Mall” game that happens in The Viscount Who Loved Me. Simon and Daphne play a fierce competition with the family, including Anthony and Kate. That moment is when Kate finally has a chance to see that Anthony maybe isn’t such a terrible person. Could Page return for the game? According to Variety, Page teased a surprise.

“Isn’t there something wonderful about being surprised by what you weren’t suspecting?” Page told British GQ via Variety.

However, a later update to the article confirmed that Page wouldn’t appear in Bridgerton Season 2. Hopeful fans still believe that it could be a surprise return, mainly because the Pall Mall game is a large part of Anthony and Kate’s love story. But, it doesn’t seem likely that Page returns for even a cameo in Bridgerton Season 2.

Bridgerton Season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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