The reason why? Not only does Bridgerton feature a royally intriguing story that fans of The Crown, Gossip Girl and Downton Abbey will die for, but it also proved it knows how to get temperatures rising. Move over McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) and McSteamy (Eric Dane)—when Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), Duke of Hastings, makes his entrance onto the Regency London social scene after an absence of several years, one glance and he sets hearts pitter-pattering in ladies’ bosoms, and not just single ladies! “It’s a little bit of Jane Austen meets Gossip Girl with maybe 49 Shades [of Grey],” Page described Bridgerton to TheWrap. Sadly, Page will not be returning for the second season of Bridgerton. It isn’t a shock to fans of the Julia Quinn bestselling romance novels, as each book involves the romance of a different member of the Bridgerton family. But Page was such a breakout star from Season 1, it seemed as if the producers would have found a way to make it work. Instead, Netflix and Shondaland revealed the news via a notice from Lady Whistledown: “Dear 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 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. Yours truly, Lady Whistledown.” Season 1 of Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn’s bestselling romance novel, The Duke and I, follows the journey of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), eldest daughter of the socially-elite and wealthy Bridgerton family, as she makes her debut in Regency London’s competitive marriage market. Daphne catches the eye of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), who christens her the season’s debutante to watch. This should give her just the boost she needs to make an excellent match, but when her older brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) begins to rule out her potential suitors and the high-society scandal sheet written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) casts aspersions on Daphne, things quickly take a turn for the worse. But Daphne is as clever as she is beautiful and she hatches a plan with the brooding—and oh-so captivating—Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, a friend of her brother’s, to entice the single men in search of a wife to court her by faking an attachment. After all, if a Duke is enchanted by her, her reputation will soar, and, for his part, Simon will be able to avoid all the presumptuous mothers who are hoping to fix him up with their unmarried daughters. But for it to work, they must appear madly in love. We wouldn’t mind being in Daphne’s shoes—who wouldn’t want to be courted by this guy? Even if it is fake! But who is this mysterious Duke, and even more intriguing, who is this fresh, swoon-worthy, face that plays him?
Who plays the duke in Bridgerton?
Regé-Jean Page plays Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. He grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, the child of an interracial couple and the second youngest of four children, but spent half his life in London, having moved to the UK at age 14. As a teen, he formed a punk band with his brother, singing and playing the drums. As if we needed more reasons to adore him! “When I got involved in the punk scene, my notion of what a career was changed,” he told thefallmag.com. “I realized that a career in the arts was actually about having the people and community to support you making your art.” This led him eventually to acting. He trained at the National Youth Theatre and later graduated from the Drama Centre London in 2013, launching his acting career on stage, appearing in The History Boys and Merchant of Venice.
How old is Regé-Jean Page?
Regé-Jean Page was born in 1990, making the British-Zimbabwean actor 31 years old.
Who is Regé-Jean Page dating?
Regé-Jean Page is not one to share the details of his personal life. Even so, a recent photo shows him embracing part-time footballer Emily Brown in a street close to the home they share in North London. Brown plays for South-West London’s FBB Warriors and works as a freelance copywriter with commissions from firms including Nike, Converse and Uber, according to the Daily Mail. The paper also says they bought a home together in February last year, a few months after filming for Bridgerton had finished.
Who does Regé-Jean Pageplay in Bridgerton?
Regé-Jean Page plays the rakishly debonair Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, who has zero interest in his title, society or taking a wife. “You realize that these characters are dealing with very 21st-century problems in the show; people have always had the same desires and needs, no matter whether it’s 200 years ago or now, it’s just dressed up in different clothes and shaped by different societal restrictions,” Page told The Guardian. “We’re seeing this Regency romance through a feminist lens, examining what masculinity means for a broken antihero like my character and how he can then allow himself to change and be loved.”
Has Regé-Jean Page won any awards?
Not yet. But Regé-Jean Page just collected his first Primetime Emmy nomination (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series) for his role on Bridgerton. The actor posted a series of photos on Instagram to celebrate his first nomination and the other 11 nods the series racked up when nominations were announced on July 13. “It’s a joy to be seen,” Page wrote in the caption.
What’s next for Regé-Jean Page?
One of the reasons that Page opted not to return for the second season of Bridgerton is his film career has taken off. He recently wrapped filming The Gray Man for Netflix, which also stars Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas. That will be followed by a starring role in Dungeons and Dragons along with Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Justice Smith. In July 2021, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Page had landed the leading role in an upcoming remake of The Saint after a previous iteration of that project starring Pine fell through. The feature film will be a remake of 1997’s The Saint starring ValKilmer, which was itself based on a series of adventure novels by 20th century author Leslie Charteris about a master of disguise named Simon Templar.
What else has Regé-Jean Page been in?
Regé-Jean Page is hosting SNL!
Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page made his Saturday Night Live debut when he hosted the NBC late-night show Feb. 20. He was joined by rapper Bad Bunny, who was the musical guest.
How to follow Regé-Jean Page on Instagram
Follow Regé-Jean Page at @Regejean. Or simply enjoy some of his best posts below, including a childhood headshot! Want more Bridgerton? You’re in luck, the series has been renewed for season 2!
