From Duke to super spy?
Regé-Jean Page, the dishy breakout star of Bridgerton, won’t be back for series two – so what’s he up to, then?
The sound of several million hearts breaking could be heard across the land when it was revealed that Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page would not be back for season two of the smash-hit Netflix show. OK, the character wasn’t in the second book anyway, but surely the writers could have gone in their own direction?
So where, pray tell, will he spring up next? Well, rumour has it, it could it be in a very different, modern-day role – as suave spy James Bond!
The 31-year-old is currently tipped to take on the coveted role. And, though he’s joining a long line of rumoured contenders, bookies Ladbrokes lowered the odds of him replacing Daniel Craig from 5/1 to just 7/2.
Regé-Jean is now second favourite to bag the part, sitting just behind Tom Hardy in the running, though he’s remaining very tight-lipped about it all.
Speaking to Graham Norton recently, the smiling actor responded to the rumours by saying, ‘ Bridgerton is the only “B” word I am allowed to say – I am not going to talk about the other “B” words...’
The handsome star played Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings, whose relationship with Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) was the focus of season one – but that love story has, it seems, sadly now come to an end.
Confirmed by a post on the Bridgerton Twitter page, styled as a story from Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, the salacious society gossip rag featured in the series, fans were told: ‘Dearest 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 part of the Bridgerton family.’
As each of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books do, the new series will focus on different characters, this time exploring the story of Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his quest for a wife.
Apparently, Regé-Jean was told his character had a ‘oneseason arc’ and would not be back – but given his now global fanbase, it’s surprising Bridgerton’s makers didn’t decide to write him in.
So, what’s next for the dashing duke? Freed up for new projects, he is without a doubt one of the most indemand actors – and the idea he could be limbering up for 007 is not an unpleasant one.
Who wouldn’t want to see Regé-Jean leaping off tall buildings with ease, as stylish ladies’ man James Bond? He’d certainly have us shaken and stirred by the end of the opening scene…
‘ Bridgerton is the only “B” word I can talk about…’