Regé-Jean Page won’t be back for Bridgerton season 2 on Netflix

Regé-Jean Page won’t reprise his character of Simon Bassett on Season 2 of Bridgerton, Netflix has announced.

Regé-Jean starred opposite Phoebe Dynevor in the breakout Netflix hit.

Season 2 of Bridgerton was confirmed earlier this year but while Phoebe will be back as Daphne we won’t be seeing any more of Regé-Jean as Simon.

In a social media post, the official Bridgerton accounts shared a message which read: “Dearest readers,

“While all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountness, we bid adieu to Rege-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings.

“We’ll miss Simon’s presence on screen, 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.”

Meanwhile in a post on his own Instagram, Regé-Jean said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family – not just on screen, but off screen too.

“Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans – it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing.”

Regé-Jean later told Variety that he knew his role would only last the one season when signing up.

He explained: “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.”

It was previously confirmed that season 2 would follow Daphne’s brother Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey.

Simone Ashley will join the cast of Netflix’s Bridgerton for season 2.

The actress, who currently appears as Olivia on Netflix’s Sex Education, will play Kate Sharma in the new episodes.

Netflix teased previously: “Kate is a smart, headstrong young woman who suffers no fools – Anthony Bridgerton very much included.”

A release date for season 2 of Bridgerton is to be confirmed.

From Shondaland and Creator Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels of the same name.

You can stream season one of Bridgerton on Netflix here

Picture: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX © 2020