Regé-Jean Page Left the ‘Bridgerton’ Group Chat Before They Had to Kick Him Out
On Bridgerton, Regé-Jean Page captured hearts as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. The 19th century-set romantic drama followed Daphne Bridgerton as she courted the Duke’s attention. After concocting a fake romance, the pair actually falls in love. With so much of the first season’s focus on the couple, many fans were surprised to hear that Page would not be returning for the series’ second season. Recently, Page announced that he’d taken a further step away from the show by leaving the Bridgerton group chat.
Regé-Jean Page announced he would not return for ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
In December 2020, Netflix dropped Bridgerton Season 1. The eight-episode, bodice-ripping series was an overnight success. Deadline reported a viewership of 82 million households, making the show Netflix’s biggest original series in history and rocket launching each of its actors to fame.
The show also nabbed Page an Emmy nomination for Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a clamor of offers from other projects. Despite the breakout success, Page announced in April 2021 that he would not return for the series’ second season.
“It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year,” Page told Variety. “[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”
Despite his departure, the show confirmed that the Duke would still have a presence in the series.
“We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family,” the show announced. “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.”
The actor left the show’s group chat
Months after confirming his exit from the series, Page noted that he’s also left the Bridgerton WhatsApp group.
“I respectfully exited. I didn’t want to put them in an awkward situation where they had to kick me out,” Page told Variety.
He mentioned that his reasoning is related to the expanding Bridgerton cast: “The universe has expanded. So I’m no longer in it.”
He’s referring to the shifting focus of the second season. Rather than Daphne Bridgerton, the series will focus on her oldest brother, Anthony. With that shift comes a host of new characters.
Regé-Jean Page may have a cameo on ‘Bridgerton’ Season 2
Though Page will no longer be a series regular, he has not ruled out a cameo appearance on the second season. While he couldn’t confirm or deny any series appearance, he left the door open.
When asked about a possible return, Page replied, “Isn’t there something wonderful about being surprised by what you weren’t suspecting?”
Fans can watch for his potential cameo in Bridgerton Season 2, which is expected to return to Netflix by early 2022.
