Bridgerton fans are in for a shock. Break out star of the series Regé-Jean Page (For the People) is exiting the Netflix series, as reported by Variety.
The series released a statement announcing Page’s departure which was picked up by Variety: “Dear Readers, 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. 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 gave a breakout performance as the mysterious Duke of Hastings, winning over the heart of Daphne Bridgerton, portrayed by Phoebe Dynevor (Younger), along with the hearts of millions of Netflix subscribers. Within the first four weeks of the series debut on Netflix, it was watched by 82 million households, making it the most watched Netflix series of all time. Page went on to host SNL and just won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. He’s currently nominated for a SAG award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series as well.
Executive producer on the series Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy) announced the news of Page leaving on her Instagram, writing: “Remember: the Duke is never gone. He’s just waiting to be binge watched all over again. #ShondalandMenOnNetflixAreForever.”
See Rhimes full post below:
With heads reeling and hearts breaking over the sudden news, Page revealed to Variety that part of the reason the role appealed to him was because it only lasted a season, saying that it was pitched to him as: “It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year,…[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”
Page went on to tell Variety, “One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes…They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the marriage and the baby.” He then concluded by telling Variety:“I have nothing but excitement for ‘Bridgerton’ continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe…But there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing.”
Giving his final goodbye to the Duke of Hastings on Instagram, Page wrote, “It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family – not just on screen, but off screen too…”
See his full post below: