“Bridgerton” Heartthrob Regé-Jean Page NOT Returning To The Hit Netflix Show!

Well, this news is most unfortunate — “Bridgerton” star Regé-Jean Page is not returning to the London social scene. The heartthrob actor is out for season 2 of the hit Netflix show!

He stole our hearts as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, in season one of Bridgerton. It became Netflix’s most watched series in the history of the streaming platform, due in part, to Page’s dashing good looks and smoldering sex appeal. But, it’s time to tuck your lust away ladies — Regé-Jean is not returning as was announced by Lady Whistledown on the official Bridgerton Instagram account:

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

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Regé-Jean also shared the news via his IG page, calling the experience, “the ride of a lifetime.”

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family — not just on screen, but off screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans — it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing.”

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Bridgerton, which is produced by Shonda Rhimes, is based on author Julia Quinn’s book series of the same name. Season one followed book one, The Duke and I, in that it focused on Daphne Bridgerton’s whirlwind relationship with the Duke of Hastings. Season two is set to fall in line with book two, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and will follow Lord Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey, as he attempts to find a wife. Simone Ashley has been cast as his love interest, Kate Sharma.

While folks are reeling from the news of Regé-Jean’s departure, Rhimes tweeted that “the Duke is nenver gone” with the hashtag #ShondlandMenOnNetflixAreForever.

Remember: the Duke is never gone. He’s just waiting to be binge watched all over again. #ShondalandMenOnNetflixAreForever pic.twitter.com/e4fAhuKSku

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) April 2, 2021

Hopefully, this means we may see Page on “Bridgerton” again in the future. #fingerscrossed