Shonda Rhimes Isn't Holding Out Hope For Regé-Jean Page's Bridgerton Return
Fans of Netflix's "Bridgerton" were understandably blindsided when one of its breakout stars, Regé-Jean Page, announced his departure from the series in 2021. Page was but one scintillating half of the romance that rocked the world: his character, the Duke of Hastings, was the perfect foil to Phoebe Dynevor's Daphne Bridgerton. That he was just one of the many Black characters populating this Regency world was another big part of his appeal. But Page never intended to stay beyond the first season.
"I think one of the bravest things about the romance genre is allowing people a happy ending," Page told Variety shortly after his departure. "Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne." Once that reformation was achieved, there really wasn't much more for him to do on the show.
Still, Page's departure felt like a betrayal to a lot of fans. Their outcry even surprised Shonda Rhimes, who executive produces "Bridgerton" under Shondaland. "I don't think I expected everybody to have such a reaction to it," Rhimes told Variety in 2021. "People's attachment to couples is real — I mean, I know that better than anybody. And I think that means success. But I do understand their despair."
Said despair was so great that the "Bridgerton" producers even asked Page if he would reconsider. The actor stood firm, however — and with his recent transition to big budget films like "The Gray Man" and "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves," Rhimes doubts he'll ever return to the series.
'He was really smart to leave the perfection as the perfection'
As disappointing as it was to lose the Duke in "Bridgerton" season 2, it was likely going to play out that way no matter what. Page's role was originally pitched as a one-season arc, and though the door was open for him to return in a smaller capacity — as Dynevor did in the second season — Page felt that his story had come to its natural conclusion.
"Rightfully, he said, 'I signed up to do this one lovely story, this closed-ended storyline. I'm good!'" Rhimes recalled. "And I don't blame him for that. I think that he was really smart to leave the perfection as the perfection."
Should the streaming gods continue to smile on "Bridgerton," the Netflix series will run for eight seasons — "maybe more," if Rhimes has anything to say about it. Even with endless potential for the show though, Rhimes still doesn't see Page returning. "He's an enormous star now," Rhimes said. And in hindsight, it makes the idea of him remaining on "Bridgerton" a little silly to the producer. "The idea that we would write Regé to stand around in the background doesn't make any sense at all to me. 'What would he do?' is what I like to say."
'After each season, you'll be asking about a different actor returning'
Bowing out of a series at the peak of its popularity is almost always going to be a gamble. Page took a massive risk moving on from his claim to fame, but it's already paying off in big ways. The structure of the series likely allowed for a smooth transition as well: With each season turning its focus to a new couple, it allows other characters to enjoy their lives off-screen.
"Regé was just doing what his character was written to do — ride off, alive, into his happily ever after," Rhimes told Variety. And with the nature of "Bridgerton" being what it is, other characters will likely follow suit in the future. "I imagine it's possible that after each season, you'll be asking about a different actor returning."
With season 3 on the horizon, Phoebe Dynevor is the next actor transitioning to the big screen. The actress recently confirmed that she, too, will be stepping away from the series — and after her thrilling turn in "Fair Play," that seems like the right move. There's a chance that both actors may change their mind and cameo in another season down the line, but for now, it's going to be fun to watch their stars continue to rise.