After falling in love with the first season of the greatest show of all time, Bridgerton I knew I was doomed. I knew that one day, I would have to say goodbye to these beloved characters, and the ton itself, and that it would be really hard. However, we all knew which character would be the hardest to say goodbye to…
So when I founded out Regé-Jean Page, AKA The Duke of Hastings, would not be returning, I was beside myself.
I was upset. I was angry. I was confused. I wanted to cry. How could he do this to fans that burn for him ?
It felt like a betrayal that happened too soon.
The announcement came on Good Friday, of all days.
In a letter from Lady Whistledown herself, the post read: “While all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Rege-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,” the post continued.
“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.”
I was expecting at least a few more steamy seasons before I had to bid farewell to Simon.
But now, it feels like the carpet has been ripped out from under me. It feels like I didn’t have the proper chance to say goodbye! I didn’t even BOW when you left the room!
Responding to heartbroken fans. Regé-Jean tweeted a sweet message.
“Pleasure and a privilege!” he wrote.
” An honour to be a member of the family – on and off screen, cast, crew and incredible fans – the love is real and will just keep growing.”
I don’t know about you guys, but that wasn’t a sufficient enough answer for the BLOW OF THE CENTURY for me.
Thankfully, he went on to explain his reasoning to Variety , saying the one season arc was part of the appeal for the role in the first place.
“It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year,” the actor recalled of his early conversations with the show’s producers.
“[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.”
“One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes,” he continued.
“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.”
” have nothing but excitement for *Bridgerton* continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe,” he added.
“But there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing.”
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While I understand Regé-Jean is off to bigger, better things, and that season 2 of *Bridgerton* will focus more on Anthony, it still breaks my heart.
Let’s be clear, I know everyone who watched the show, in less than a day, and has rewatched several episodes over and over and over again , will feel my pain!
Twitter is filled with laments for our Grace.
I mean, let’s be clear — I will watch the second season, I don’t have that many things to do these days.
But I am fearful that it won’t have that same magic quality that season 1 had! I doubt I’ll ever be able to look at a spoon without tearing up!
What do you make of the news? Let us know in the comments below!