Bridgerton
Summary
Warning : This post contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 3
Bridgertonseason 3 will be focus on the Colin / Penelope storyline that has been building since season 1 , and its trajectory affirm that role player Regé - Jean Page as Simon is no longer ask . Season 3 has premiered , season 4 is on the way , and a spin - off seriescentered on Queen Charlotte and King Georgehas been free . While most of the cast return forBridgertonseason 2 and time of year 3 , it was announced that Page would not be reprising his role as the Duke of Hastings .
It was initially dissatisfactory to learn thatRegé - Jean Page would not be returningas Simon Basset inBridgertonseason 2 . The actor had made such a positive feeling on fans in season 1 that it was almost impossible to imagine the Netflix series moving on without him . Many wondered what Page ’s absence would also mean for Phoebe Dynevor ’s Daphne Bridgerton , whose fib was crucially tied to Simon ’s . Despite initial worries , Bridgertonseason 2 and time of year 3 went on without Page , and will continue to do so in season 4 .
Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan opens up on Penelope ’s conclusion to ask Colin for their iconic kiss in season 3 and how this shaped their family relationship .
Why Regé-Jean Page Left Bridgerton After Season 1
The actor bid Bridgerton farewell not long after season 1 released
In the spring of 2021 , several months afterBridgertonseason 1 was released on Netflix in December 2020 , Page announced he was exiting one ofthe biggest Netflix seriesto appointment . It was surprising at the time , but Page had been contracted for one season , and , as he toldVanity Fair , " Isigned up to do a job and I did the job …. That ’s it . " Unlike other stamp members , including Dynevor , Page is the only series regular to have only appeared in one season ofBridgerton .
Once Simon ’s story was wind up , he was not hold to continue appearing infuture seasons ofBridgerton . That left the histrion complimentary to appear in other projects . Sincethe end ofBridgertonseason 1,Page has gone on to come along inDungeons & Dragons : Honor Among Thievesand Netflix ’s action thriller star Ryan Gosling , The Gray Man .
Why Bridgerton Season 2 Worked Despite Simon’s Absence
Simon was no longer a necessity
With Regé - Jean Page gone , many worriedBridgertonseason 2 would dip in quality . Now focused on Anthony Bridgerton and his budding , complicated romance with Kate Sharma , time of year 2 soared despite Simon only being mentioned . Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley ’s superb alchemy , yearning , and saturation steal the show . It was enough to make one block Simon was a part of the serial , save for when Daphne appeared . Still , the Duke of Hastings ’ absence was n’t a deterrent because there was a young steamy romance to focus on — one that took a dissimilar approach and had its own amount of worked up conflict .
Bridgertonhas an ensemble form and season 3 ’s multiple plot line are a crucial reminder of that .
Kate and Anthony were precisely the leadsBridgertonneeded in season 2 . If it were any other couple ’s story , the serial may have taken a backslide , butKate and Anthony ’s story was firm enough to fudge the problem the Regé - Jean Page absence seizure presented . It shifted the audience ’s attention alone , and it paid off , makingBridgertonseason 2 even more watched than its predecessor . There were also other persona who needed care , giving the audience more than enough capacity to stave off the departure of Simon , while also solidifying that the series was n’t in trouble because Page was gone .
Bridgerton Season 3 Proves The Show Is Much Bigger Than Simon & Daphne
There are so many more characters to explore and focus on
Bridgertonseason 3 shows there ’s more to the serial than Simon and Daphne ’s romance , as it ’s focused on Penelope and Colin ’s Latinian language , Anthony and Kate ’s post - marriage kinship , the pregnant friendship between Eloise and Penelope , andthe recast Francesca Bridgerton ’s buddingromance with John Stirling . Bridgertonhas an ensemble roll and season 3 ’s multiple storylines are a crucial monitor of that . Daphne trifle an constitutional role in season 2 by attempting to help Anthony see reason , butBridgertonseason 3 bear witness her presence is n’t a requirement . Dynevor also opt to leaveBridgerton , believing Daphne ’s story was pure after season 2 .
Critically , season 3 is an model of the show being capable to pore on unlike romances that are n’t exact replicas of Simon and Daphne ’s human relationship . There is a whole human race to go on to research inBridgertonand season 3 testify its scope goes beyond Simon and Daphne ’s love account , though they will always have a special place in the show . To have center on either of their absences would prevent viewers from full embracingBridgerton’sother elements .
Future Bridgerton Seasons Don’t Need Simon To Return
The pros ofBridgerton’sstory social system make it so that certain lineament — despite their former grandness — can take a backseat because each season proceed forward with a different Bridgerton sibling ’s tale of love story . Simon is not a Bridgerton sibling and , thoughhis proximity to both Daphne and Anthony rendered his absence seizure from the report a minute foreign initially , Bridgertonseason 3 win without him . Simon is no longer a central part of the tale , and he lives far aside enough from London that he does n’t have to engage with the Ton the way he did in time of year 1 .
What ’s more , asBridgertonmoves further aside from the old siblings ’ storylines and turns its focal point towards the young coevals , Simon ’s absence will be even less noticeable . Bridgertonwill no longer have its unsighted touch when it comes his case , even if Daphne were to reappear(Dynevor hinted at a " potential"return toBridgerton ) . Simon was n’t the only absent character in the past , withFrancesca Bridgerton disappearing in early time of year 2without a unmarried explanation . With Simon no longer in the public eye , Bridgertonseason 3 and beyond can proceed without issue .
Despite how popular Regé - Jean Page was inBridgertonseason 1 , the series is strong enough to continue without him , as it seat in several more characters , like Cressida Cowper and others who have typically commence less focussing .
From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’sBridgertonis based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.
Bridgerton Season 4 Could Recast Simon
Season 3 recast Francesca and it worked out
It may seem eccentric to suggest , but shouldBridgertondesperately call for to institute back Simon for a next storyline , Regé - Jean Page ’s role can be remould . In the realm of television , recastings go on often enough that they ’re seldom a surprise . It ’s not necessary , but it would be worth doing ifBridgerton’swriters decided to let in Simon in season 4 — be it in a plot line with Daphne and Anthony , or just to come out in home picture . A recast forBridgertonseason 4 might be jarring , but it would insure the unexampled actor playing the function would be around for future seasons .
Bridgertonhas already recast Francesca Bridgerton . Ruby Stokes impersonate the sixth Bridgerton sibling in season 1 and 2 , but was recast due to programming conflicts . Francesca is now being play by Hannah Dodd inBridgertonseason 3 . To be fair , Francesca was more of a nonaged character in the first two season , with most fan barely noticing her absence seizure , so her recasting inBridgertonseason 3 wo n’t have fans talking in the way Simon ’s would . Still , it ’s a unanimous option considering Page has moved on from the love story series .
Shonda Rhimes Thinks Page Leaving Was Perfect
WithBridgertonseason 3 , many were hoping that Page would promptly change his mind and takings . However , executive director producerShonda Rhimes matte that Simon ’s release worked out just fine for the serial publication , and matte that his electric discharge had been gratifyingly completed . In an consultation withVariety , Rhimes spoke out about Page ’s departure from the show , saying,“I believe one of the unfearing things about the romance genre is allowing hoi polloi a well-chosen ending . [ … ] Simon was this dud of a one - time of year resister , to be reformed and to notice his true ego through Daphne . "
Regardless of how graciously Page bowed out ofBridgerton , viewer were still upset by the decision . However , Simon ’s character reference was only pitched to have a season - long discharge . He chose to leave off where he did — and Rhimes think this was the proper choice . In a separateVarietyinterview , Rhimes explained,“Rightfully , he said , ' I sign on up to do this one lovely story , this closed - ended storyline . I ’m good ! ' And I do n’t blame him for that . I suppose that he was really bright to leave the perfection as the idol . “As much as he ’s missed , Bridgertonwill be hunky-dory without Simon .
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Cast
From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen , Netflix’sBridgertonis base on the love affair novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn . The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings , Anthony , Benedict , Colin , Daphne , Eloise , Francesca , Gregory , and Hyacinth , as they search for love during the social season and voyage life in Regency - earned run average England .
