Actor Regé-Jean Page, who played popular character Simon Basset in Netflix’s hit historical drama ‘Bridgerton’ will not be reprising his role for its second season.
Netflix and Shondaland announced on Friday that Page’s character will not appear on the show’s upcoming second season, revealing the news via a notice from Lady Whistledown.
“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,” the message began.
“We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family,” it continued. “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.”
News of the duke’s departure will likely not come as a surprise to fans of the Julia Quinn novels on which the series is based, as the character’s storyline largely plays out in the first book “The Duke and I.”
The romance show has been a monster hit for Netflix, with the streamer reporting that a record 82 million households devoured the series’ eight episodes in the first month after its Christmas Day release.
On social media, Page called his experience on the series, “The ride of a life time.”
The show has also been a critical success. Last week, Page scored the series’ first acting prize, winning the NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a drama series.
The show’s second season will focus on the oldest of the Bridgerton clan, Anthony (played by Jonathan Bailey), and his quest for love.
