What’s life like after ‘Bridgerton’? Will Regé-Jean Page ever return?
One of the biggest Netflix hits of the year saw one of the biggest exits when Regé-Jean Page announced that he won’t be returning to the Bridgerton for a second season.
Bridgerton breakout star Regé-Jean Page, who played the suave Duke of Hastings won’t be a part of the second season of the show. Netflix & Shonadaland made the announcement Lady-Whistledown-style, “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”.
It seems like there’s no bad blood over this decision and the writers have worked a way around the character exit.
The announcement went on to say, “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”.
Creative differences to blame?
Reportedly, Page didn’t like what the writers had planned for his character in the next season and he wanted to bow out while still on a high. Page Six reported that “He wasn’t happy with what was planned for his character for season 2, which would have kept him a player but not the focal point of the show”.
The talk was rampant about how if an actor doesn’t agree with Shonda Rhimes about their character’s arc, they’re not likely to stay on. Page even told Variety that the one-season commitment to the role was tempting for him.
“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”. He seems to have loved playing the part, but all good things must, without doubt, come to an end, and so they did.
The Duke is exploring a sea of offers & roles
Now, unsurprisingly, Page has been inundated with offers for other roles that will put his character in leading roles. Now that’s a good challenge for an actor at this point in their career.
Latest reports tell us that Page isn’t leaving Netflix as he joins on an untitled project from writer-director Noah Hawley of Fargo & Legion fame. The name & plot details are still a mystery but we know that it’s a heist thriller. Page will also executive produce along with Angela Russo-Otstot. This will be his second time working with The Russo Bros, after his stint in the upcoming Netflix flick The Gray Man.
Film & TV company AGBO’s official statement shared about this latest project, “AGBO was originally founded to allow us to collaborate with artists we greatly respect and admire. We are very happy to continue to fulfill that pledge by supporting this new film from Noah Hawley and Regé-Jean Page”.
Page turning the pages
The whole world seems to have been smitten by Page after his Bridgerton stint. The show, based on a book, was written with a lot of craft: each episode ended in a way that made us want to read & watch just one more chapter. Page’s character of the Duke of Hastings was titular, as were many others.
Page seems to have caught the eye of more than just girls who are swooning over him. The girls’ competition? Gamblers. They’re betting on Page becoming the first black person to take up the coveted role of James Bond. On London-based betting platform William Hill, one can find bets placed on the likes of Tom Hardy, James Norton, Idris Elba, and Page.
All bets are on, literally.
