Rege-Jean Page has officially given his blessing for Bridgerton to recast him in his break-out role as Simon, The Duke of Hastings in Netflix’s hit TV Show, Bridgerton.
Rege-Jean Page loves his character Simon but is happy to leave him in the past.
In an interview with Variety Magazine at the premiere of his new film, The Grey Man, Page told the interviewer that he hadn’t watched Season 2 yet.
As for coming back to the show as a fan-favorite, The Duke of Hastings? That is not happening. Page confirmed that he is not returning to the show and said that Netflix is free to recast him if they choose, “They are free to do as they like.”
He is thrilled with how his character’s redemptive arc- The Duke of Hastings starts the season as arrogant, rude, and overwhelmed with demons from his past. The fact that so many people enjoy the character said Page, is a credit to the writing and how they showed his character’s redemptive arc.
Regé-Jean Page calls his #Bridgerton character Simon a “regency fuckboy,” and reveals he hasn’t watched season 2 yet. https://t.co/yV2xYiOJWE pic.twitter.com/fr5klQPFEo
— Variety (@Variety) July 14, 2022
Page, who was the series breakout star in Season 1, left the show after the first season and was not featured in the series season 2.
Unfortunately, Page has shut down those rumors and confirmed that he is not returning.
The actor posted a photo of himself and former costar, Jonathon Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton), with the caption,
“The boys are back in town. ❤️
(No, I’m not going back to the show btw – the papers made that one up.) But we had the best and most stylish, catch up I’ve had in a while over some truly excellent Italian coffee and sunshine.”
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However, fans of the show can rejoice knowing that season 3, which is already in production, will feature the love story of Colin and Penelope, played by Colin Newton and Nicola Coughlan. Coughlan has already teased some steamy scenes in the upcoming scene, exciting fans of the book with a hint of a specific mirror-related scene in the fourth book of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series.
Netflix released their lush and swoon-worthy adaptation of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books, a series of Regency-era romance novels that follow one of eight siblings in the titular Bridgerton family.
The first season, which came out on Christmas Day, follows the plot of the first book, The Duke and I, and primarily focuses on the romance of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings.
The second season, which came out in March 2022, was loosely based on the book, The Viscount Who Loved Me and focused on Viscount Bridegrton and newcomer to the ton, Kate Sharma.
The third season is skipping to the fourth book of the series, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, and will feature Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington.
Who Is Coming Back to Season 3?
All the other characters are reprising their roles for season 3. Simone Ashley is coming back as the strong and beautiful Kate Sharma. In addition, Francesca Bridegrton has been recast and will now be played by Hannah Dodd, giving hope that Francesca can finally be a part of the family. Francesca, played by Ruby Stokes in seasons 1 and 2, was glaringly absent from huge parts of the first two seasons.