Summary

• Daphne and Simon's love story ends in Bridgerton season 1, allowing the series to focus on other characters and plots.
• The shift away from Daphne and Simon's romance in season 2 opens up the narrative to explore other Bridgerton siblings.
• Bridgerton season 3 will not feature Daphne or Simon, instead highlighting Anthony and Kate's relationship as the snow transitions to the new courtship of Colin and Penelope.

Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset’s love story is over as of the Bridgerton season 1 finale, and that’s a good thing for the series. Bridgerton, inspired by a series of romance novels, centers on the Bridgerton family. Each child of the family is the center of their own book, and thus, their own season of the streaming series. Daphne and Simon had a tumultuous courtship born from them pretending to court to appease society throughout season 1.

The pair had a whirlwind courtship filled to the brim with drama, scandal, and romance. However, there were as many downs as there were ups in Daphne and Simon’s relationship, so it’s best if the Netflix show moved on from their relationship to focus on other characters and plots instead. With Regé-Jean Page not returning as Simon after the first season, and Phoebe Dynevor making a handful of appearances as Daphne in season 2, the series has been able to shift its focus, and pass the torch, so to speak, to the next courtship in the Bridgerton family.

Daphne And Simon's Bridgerton Story

Daphne And Simon Got All The Focus In Season 1

Daphne was undoubtedly Queen Charlotte’s favorite young woman at the start of Bridgerton season 1. As such, Daphne was the primary choice for marriage in the Ton and the eldest Bridgerton daughter was hosting a number of gentleman callers in the early episodes of the series. Despite capturing the attention of Queen Charlotte’s nephew, Prince Friedrich, Daphne was smitten with Simon, the Duke of Hastings.

Daphne and Simon's relationship started off well enough, with a meet-cute that ultimately led to a mutually beneficial pact. Actors Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page also had a lot of chemistry that helped to authenticate the intensity and attraction Daphne and Simon felt for each other throughout Bridgerton season 1. However, as the couple’s story developed, the holes in their relationship became more apparent.

For one, Daphne wanted nothing more than to marry for love and have a family. Being a mother was something she greatly desired, and it wasn’t because society demanded that she become one, either, despite sister Eloise’s accusations. Simon, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with marriage or family even though he had grown to love Daphne during their fake courtship. How else was he supposed to keep the vow he’d made to his father about never siring children?

Bridgerton season 3 Part 1 premieres on May 16, 2024. Part 2 will premiere on June 13.

While it was easy to root for Simon and Daphne to get together early on in Bridgerton season 1, their relationship quickly unraveled. Daphne wanted to marry Simon despite his protestations, but he told her that he would rather finish the duel (and possibly die) rather than marry her, primarily because Simon knew that he wouldn't be able to provide the happiness Daphne desired.

What’s more, Simon lied to her about why he didn’t want children and the series took too long for them to have an open, honest conversation about their individual wants and needs for the sake of drama. This led Simon and Daphne's romance to become toxic in various ways. There’s also the issue of Daphne’s assault, which has been condemned by fans and critics alike. Bridgerton season 1 ended with Simon and Daphne ultimately getting their happy ending, which was a relief because the series is now free to explore the lives of other characters and relationships in the Ton.

How Bridgerton Is Moving On From Simon And Daphne

Season 2 Transitioned Away From Simon And Daphne's Romance

The second season of Bridgerton was able to take a small step in moving away from Simon and Daphne's romance to focus on Anthony Bridgerton's search for a wife. The focus was very much on his love story with Kate during the season, but Daphne still appeared at Bridgerton family gatherings, giving small updates on her life with Simon, but also providing a sounding board for her family since the time between seasons meant she was more seasoned in the ways of mature relationships.

Daphne was there to help get Eloise ready for her debut and there to repeatedly discuss Anthony's romantic prospects. While she didn't feature heavily in the season, her appearances made it clear that she's still close to her family, but living her own life with her husband and her children outside of her siblings. That's important for the narrative to allow for each season to transition to featuring a different Bridgerton as part of the main relationship.

Bridgerton season 3 will not feature Daphne or Simon, but will keep Anthony and his wife Kate on. Their relationship with the Bridgerton family is different from Daphne and Simon's, however, since Anthony is the head of the family and will need to approve of his younger siblings' marriage prospects. Anthony runs the Bridgerton estate, so it makes sense for him to appear more often than Daphne, but still allow the series to move on to the next relationship - that of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington.

There are still five more Bridgerton siblings, and so many avenues the show can take with plenty of storylines to delve into, including how Bridgerton will handle the reveal of Lady Whistledown's identity and how that shapes the columnist’s role in the Ton. Ultimately, Simon and Daphne will continue being a part of the story as their family will likely mention them, but the chapter on their romance has concluded, which really is for the best.