Netflix's Bridgerton can still undoubtedly survive without Rege-Jean Page's Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Filming for the highly anticipated Bridgerton season 2 is well underway, with the new episodes scheduled for an April 2022 release date on Netflix. One prominent face that will not be returning for season 2 is Rege-Jean Page's Simon Basset, however, after the actor confirmed back in April 2021 that his character arc has been closed by the series in favor of telling a different Bridgerton love story.
Based on Julia Quinn's equally raunchy novel series, Netflix's Bridgerton is set in the competitive world of Regency-era London, when debutantes are presented at court during the historically-derived ton festival season. Bridgerton season 1 centers on the passionate yet forbidden romance between Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, and Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), with the pair eventually marrying and producing a child. The seemingly complete nature of Simon Basset's character arc has done little to dampen the ire of Bridgerton audiences, however, who are reportedly crestfallen by Jean Page's admission that he will not feature in the Netflix original's second season.
Yet Bridgerton is more than equipped to survive without Rege-Jean Page's Simon Basset, with several key factors pointing to the Netflix series' continued success. Although Jean Page is undoubtedly the breakout star of the series to date, the Bridgerton storyline still contains ample compelling characters that ensure the show's watchability remains high. Furthermore, Simon Basset was always planned to be a one-season character by series creator Chris Van Dusen, meaning Bridgerton's narrative was already prepared to build beyond the purview of Jean Page's character arc.
As compelling as Rege-Jean Page's Simon is in Bridgerton season 1, his character arc already feels decidedly complete in the context of the series' overarching story. Simon and Daphne finally resolve their previously unrequited love and wed by the season's end, with their first child also unveiled in the Bridgerton season 1 finale. While Jean Page undoubtedly would command increased viewership for Bridgerton season 2, creating new events to shoehorn an otherwise complete character back into the series narrative may detract from other burgeoning storylines in the series and feel forced.
Furthermore, Bridgerton already contains an ample amount of characters whose storylines are yet to be developed. Eloise Bridgerton is just one example here, whose ardent search for the real identity of Lady Whistledown is bound to intensify as season 2 progresses. However, perhaps more poignant are reports that the Bridgerton production team was already prepared for Jean Page to leave the Bridgerton cast due to his character arc being completed. The Hollywood Reporter revealed on April 6th, 2021, that "plans for season 2 never included his character, Simon," highlighting the Netflix original series' prior ideas to focus on other Julia Quinn-inspired storylines.
Essentially, what these comments boil down to is the confirmation that Bridgerton is a much bigger series than just one character, even when that character is as popular as Simon Basset. While Rege-Jean Page's marketability undoubtedly warrants continued inclusion in the series, it is admirable that the Bridgerton team has ensured it is not at the cost of narrative strength. Jean Page's Simon may well be the most recognizable face from Bridgerton's breakout season, but the Netflix original will be absolutely fine without his season 2 inclusion.