Bridgerton, a Netflix original, is a well-loved show. Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s novels. In season one of the show, there is a fan favorite couple: Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Bassett. The relationship between them is unreal, and it only gets stronger as the show goes on. At the very end of season one, Daphne and Simon’s love story was tied into a perfect bow. Daphne is shown giving birth to the future Duke of Hastings. After the rollercoaster of emotions that these two characters went through, Regé-Jean Page, who played Simon Bassett, will not be returning.
This news was given to the public by a Tweet posted by Bridgerton on April 2, 2021. Lady Bridgerton wrote, “While all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Rege-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. 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.” Page responded to this Tweet by saying that working with the Bridgerton crew was an amazing privilege. It is obvious that Page loves the people he worked with, but he still had to leave. Even though Page knew he was only going to be in season one since the start of the show, this is still a shock to the public because Simon’s character is still present for the rest of Julia Quinn’s novels. Most people did not see this coming, especially because he was one of the popular and favorite characters from season one.
Regé-Jean Page’s contract for Bridgerton was only for one season. Page claims that this was the plan all along: he was never planning on coming back for season two. Sources even claim that their decision to cut Page out of the show was based on the first Bridgerton book, The Duke And I. Readers of Quinn’s work know better than to assume that future seasons of Bridgerton will be able to focus on Daphne and Simon. Each of Quinn’s subsequent novels focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling. Simon will be referenced in future episodes, but he will not appear. This brings up some questions about what will happen in season two. How will Simon disappear from the show? What will Daphne’s role be without Simon? What will happen to their baby?
Season two will be focused on Daphne’s older brother, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in comparison to the love life of Daphne in season one. Viscount Bridgerton is the head of the household, but he is not married. Daphne’s brother will participate in the courting season and he will hopefully find a woman to fall in love with. Although the character Simon will be missed, it is still expected that season two of Bridgerton will be intriguing and captivating.