Regé-Jean Page Will Not Return to Bridgerton

Now that “Bridgerton” followers have come to phrases with the truth that Regé-Jean Page is not in season two (or any future seasons), let’s dive into the true purpose behind his departure. After Lady Whistledown herself introduced Page’s exit from the beloved Netflix series on Twitter on April 2, 2021, the 34-year-old actor informed Variety later that month that it was at all times the plan for Simon Basset to have a “one-season arc.” In truth, that was one of many attracts of the position for him.

“It’s going to have a starting, center, finish — give us a 12 months,” Page stated, recalling earlier conversations with Shondaland producers. “[I thought] ‘That’s fascinating,’ as a result of then it felt like a restricted collection. I get to are available, I get to contribute my bit, after which the ‘Bridgerton’ household rolls on.”

Page defined that one of many issues he loves concerning the anthology is that every e-book is devoted to a special character’s love story. “One of the issues that’s totally different about this [romance] style is that the viewers is aware of the arc completes,” he defined. “They are available realizing that, so you possibly can tie folks in emotional knots as a result of they’ve that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the wedding and the child.” The actor made it clear that he has “nothing however pleasure for ‘Bridgerton’ persevering with to steam practice off and conquer the globe,” including, “But there’s additionally worth in finishing these arcs and sticking the touchdown.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Page was provided a chance to visitor star in three to 5 episodes of season two at a charge of $50,000 per episode, however he declined.

So was Page nervous about leaving the present that made so many individuals fall in love with him? “Not in any respect, as a result of that is what was meant,” he informed Variety in May 2021. “Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to discover his true self by way of Daphne. I feel one of many bravest issues concerning the romance style is permitting folks a contented ending.” The actor says his “Bridgerton” exit is analogous to leaving highschool. “You’re afraid of the unknown, considering, ‘Oh, my God, I’m by no means going to make buddies pretty much as good as those I’ve,’ and you then do.”

In a July interview with the outlet, Page appeared safe in his choice to solely take part in a single season of “Bridgerton” and even gave the collection his blessing to proceed molding his character with out him nonetheless they see match. “They’re free to do as they like,” he stated. “Shonda [Rhimes] and I had a beautiful dialog on the finish of season one. We had been fairly pleased with how we caught the touchdown on that one.”

Rhimes informed Vanity Fair that she was “actually shocked” about followers’ response to Page’s departure. “Usually that occurs when I’ve killed off any individual that is been round for some time. Like, we did not kill him, he is nonetheless alive!” she stated. “[Regé-Jean] is a strong, superb actor and that meant we did our job — each season, our job is discovering the proper folks and placing collectively this unimaginable, world-shifting romance. I do not know that I anticipated this a lot of an explosion, given that each e-book [in the Bridgerton series] is a special romance. What can be the ever-after of this combo? I imply, actually: What would Regé-Jean do, you understand what I imply? We gave them their fortunately ever after! And now we’ve this subsequent couple coming. And so yeah, I used to be like, whoa!”

Even although Page is not in “Bridgerton” anymore, his presence in Daphne’s life is still felt throughout season two. Plus, we have not seen the final of the actor, as he’s already signed on for two major films. Page seems alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans in Netflix’s “The Gray Man,” which debuts in theaters July 15, and he’ll be starring within the upcoming film adaptation of “Dungeons & Dragons,” so it will not be lengthy till he graces our screens once more.