Which ‘Bridgerton’ star is saying goodbye to the ton?
When Bridgerton dropped on Netflix last year, it was indeed a Christmas gift. Everyone seemed to enjoy the raunchy escapism & period-piece-version of Gossip Girl in the form of Lady Whistledown. Some felt the characters were shallow, but for the most part, it emerged as a favorite. So, it was hardly surprising when Netflix announced at the start of 2021 that the Briderton series was being renewed.
With the announcement of a second season came the news of a crucial character’s exit. As of today, the first two episodes of the new season are already being edited.
Which Bridgerton stars have left?
Alongside this news, the world also let out a collective gasp as it was announced that Regé-Jean Page, who plays Simon, the Duke of Hastings, won’t be returning to the Bridgerton series to revive his role for the second season. There were a lot of rumors floating around for a while.
Later, in an interview, he shared, “Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne. I think one of the bravest things about the romance genre is allowing people a happy ending.” Even executive producer Shonda Rhimes shared her shock at the fan reactions on Page’s exit, “I was really shocked because usually, that happens when I’ve killed off somebody that’s been around for a while.”
She added, “Like, we didn’t kill him, he’s still alive! [Regé-Jean] is a powerful, amazing actor and that meant we did our job—every season, our job is finding the right people and putting together this incredible, world-shifting romance.” She should know, she’s been killing off some of our dearest characters for years on Grey’s Anatomy. By the looks of it, Page’s exit is not the only one we should be bracing ourselves for.
Where is Phoebe Dynevor headed next?
Now, it has been announced that Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne, Simon’s wife, is set to star in & executive produce a new Amazon series. It’s called Exciting Times, based on the eponymous novel by Irish author Naoise Dolan. A romance series, Exciting Times revolves around Ava, who teaches English grammar to wealthy children abroad, and her love triangle with a banker named Julian & a lawyer named Edith.
Dynevor is also going to be seen in a cameo role in the UK remake of a French comedy called Call My Agent!, where she mentioned, “I get to do a little bit of comedy in that, which is really fun for me.” She will also be seen in another feature film called The Colour Room, another period piece that follows the life of a ceramic artist in the 1920s.
Reportedly, she also recently signed on to act in a female-driven murder mystery called I Heart Murder.
Is this a goodbye to the ton?
Isn’t that too much on the plate for the 26-year old actress? Well, in theory, the schedules can be worked out. Considering Bridgerton’s second season shoot has been underway since spring, it is possible that Dynevor will be able to film another season in the Bridgerton series, but that feels unlikely due to the hiccups from the pandemic.
In July, Netflix had to halt the shoot for the second season after someone tested positive on the sets. Across the UK, the new variants of the virus had been wreaking havoc & production schedules aren’t the most predictable. The entire film industry’s logistics & mechanics have been haywire since the pandemic, so no one will make promises.
Bottom line? Bridgerton fans may have to bid adieu to Daphne if Dynevor’s availability proves problematic between the two competing streaming-cum-production outfits, Netflix & Amazon.
