Rege-Jean Page played Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings on Bridgerton. Image Source: Movie Web
Is Regé-Jean Page returning to Bridgerton?
Rege-Jean Page, who played Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings on Netflix’s hit and successful show "Bridgerton," is reportedly in talks to appear for season three of the show after he decided to say goodbye to his character for season two.
Rege played Simon opposite Phoebe Dynevor, who played Daphne Bridgerton on-screen, and the audience admired their couple across the world and the critics appreciated their acting skills. But the actor decided to say goodbye to Simon Basset for season two and later it was announced on Bridgerton's official page that Rege is leaving.
The statement in very Bridgerton way read that while all eyes will be on Lord Anthony Bridgerton's quest to find his Viscountess, the Bridgerton family bids farewell to Regé-Jean Page, who played the Duke of Hastings so successfully. The story for second season was centred around Lord Anthony Bridgerton played by Jonathan Bailey and Kate Sharma played by Simone Ashley.
But now, according to reports, the actor might be returning as Duke of Hastings on-screen and a source shared that although Rege-Jean Page was always very open about his intentions to quit the show after the first season and desired to move on to new projects, he has recently been talking with the show makers and that might result in him coming back on the show for season three. Rege at the time said that his character had one season arc where the makers give them beginning, middle and the end and added that to him it felt like a limited series where he gets to come in, gets to contribute his bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.
Rege-Jean Page admitted that Bridgerton fans lashed out when he was finalized for the role of Duke of Hastings and said that he was going to give a huge shout-out to the book’s Brazilian fans who had his back before anyone else. Rege added that when everyone was still passive-aggressively getting all knotted up because he did not have blue eyes, the fans from Brazil were backing him up and he is thankful for their support and love.
Creator Shonda Rhimes said during her appearance with the Hollywood Reporter last May that Regé is an amazing actor and he did an amazing thing, and people responded by adding that she was just ecstatic at the prospect of being able to create a whole romantic story with a conclusion, where the reader may discover 14 more reasons why the pair couldn't be together, or, to be honest, having Regé stand in the background of someone else's relationship. It didn't make logic, Shonda said.
Shonda Rhimes shared with People that everybody lost their minds after it was announced that Rege-Jean Page was leaving, and the creator does not blame him for leaving because she explained that he was really smart to leave perfection as perfection.
The source added that nothing between the actor and the show makers has been confirmed yet, but there are high chances. It was also reported that Rege-Jean Page was considered as one of the candidates for the James Bond role after Daniel Craig bid adieu to his character. Talking about the reports of him being one of the favorites for James Bond, Rege said that he is extremely flattered.
Rege said that if you are British and you do anything of note that other people can take notice of, then people eventually start talking about that and it makes him extremely grateful that he is being considered in that category of Brits.
As for the third season of Bridgerton, the makers decided to skip the third book and follow the love story between Colin Bridgerton played by Luke Newton and Penelope Feathrington played by Nicola Coughlan which is the fourth book and was announced last month during the FYSEE panel. When questioned about the Polin relationship (Colin + Penelope) and whether it would go toward the super-steamy emotions of Season 1 or the slow-burn of Season 2, Nicola Coughlan said she thinks it will tilt toward the former because they have had two seasons of build-up. She also stated that she had only been given an outline of the scripts and had not read them.
