Bridgerton officials offered up-and-coming star Regé-Jean Page $50,000 for three to five guest appearances in season two of Netflix’s hit show. However, he did not accept it because he wants to pursue his film career.
What We Know:
- Page’s contract was only for one season. The reason behind this was that each of Bridgerton‘s seasons would focus on one of the eight Bridgerton siblings. The first season focuses on Daphne Bridgeton’s love story with Page’s character, Simon, the Duke of Hastings. The next set of episodes, which begins filming in spring 2021, will be about Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma’s relationship. The Shonda Rhimes-produced show follows the same course as author Julie Quinn’s book series.
- Us Weekly says production only reached out to Page about a possible return after becoming the series’ main star. Regardless, he did not want to return as Simon for season 2. Page was drawn to Simon’s part in the show because it was a “one-season arc” with a “beginning, middle, end.” Also, he claims it was always his intention to contribute his piece and allow the Bridgerton family to progress without him.
- News of Page’s departure from the series broke out on Twitter. The Bridgerton account released a statement from narrator Lady Whistledown’s perspective. She stated that they said farewell to Page, “who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings.” Whistledown mentioned that Simon will always be a beloved cast member. She ensured that Daphne would remain a “devoted wife and sister.” She will assist her brother Anthony in navigating the upcoming social season.
- Page will star in a few upcoming movies. He will act alongside Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling in Netflix’s The Gray Man. He will also play the lead character in Dungeons and Dragons. The movie also features Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Justice Smith.
- Recently, Page won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. He received two Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations this weekend. One was for Male Actor in a Drama Series, and the other for Ensemble in a Drama Series. He told Entertainment Tonight that he learned many things from playing Simon. These include smiling more and being more affectionate with others.
Page posted on Instagram that Bridgerton was “the ride of a life time.” He also responded to Lady Whistledown’s tweet by saying it was a pleasure to be on the show. Page said, “the love is real and will just keep growing.” The Hollywood Reporter wrote there is a possibility that Page could appear in future seasons. As of right now, Page has not announced a return.
