Warning: This post contains spoilers for Bridgerton season 2

Bridgerton season 3 will be focusing on the Colin/Penelope storyline that has been building since season 1, and its trajectory confirms that actor Regé-Jean Page as Simon is no longer needed. Season 3 doesn’t yet have a release date, but the popular Netflix series has already been renewed through season 4, and has also had a spin-off series centered on Queen Charlotte’s past and romance with King George (titled Queen Charlotte). While most of the cast returned for Bridgerton season 2, it was announced in advance that Page would not be reprising his role as the Duke of Hastings.

It was initially disappointing to learn that Regé-Jean Page would not be returning as Simon Basset in Bridgerton season 2. The actor had made such a positive impression 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 story was crucially tied to Simon’s. Despite initial worries, Bridgerton season 2 went on without Page, and will continue to do so in future seasons. The series introduced new characters and successfully brought Dynevor back without her husband, in a way that felt natural and easy. However, what about Bridgerton season 3 and beyond?

Why Bridgerton Season 2 Worked Despite Simon's Absence

Kate and Anthony riding horses in Bridgerton season 2

With Regé-Jean Page gone, many worried Bridgerton season 2 would dip in quality, not to mention Bridgerton season 3. Now focused on Anthony Bridgerton and his budding, complicated romance with Kate Sharma, season 2 soared despite Simon only being mentioned. Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley’s superb chemistry, longing, and intensity stole the show. It was enough to make one forget Simon was even a part of the series, save for when Daphne appeared. Still, the Duke of Hastings’ absence wasn’t a deterrent because there was a new steamy romance to focus on — one that took a different approach and had its own amount of stirring emotional and interpersonal conflict.

Kate and Anthony were exactly the leads Bridgerton needed in season 2. If it were any other couple’s story, the series may have taken a backslide, but Kate and Anthony’s story was strong enough to sidestep the problem the Regé-Jean Page absence presented. It shifted the audience’s attention entirely, and it paid off, making Bridgerton season 2 even more watched than its predecessor. There were also other characters who needed attention and whose storylines helped build out the world of Bridgerton, giving the audience more than enough content to stave off the loss of Simon, while also solidifying that the series wasn’t in trouble because Page was gone.

Bridgerton Season 3 Proves The Show Is Much Bigger Than Simon

Colin and Penelope talking in Bridgerton season 3

With Bridgerton season 2 leaving off in a way that teases more intriguing storylines for its remaining characters, Bridgerton season 3 will show that there is a lot more to the series than Simon and Daphne’s romance. Season 3 will focus on Penelope and Colin’s romance, Anthony and Kate’s post-marriage relationship, Benedict’s future, and the fraught friendship between Eloise and Penelope. It’s an ensemble cast and season 3’s storylines will be a crucial reminder of that. There is so much potential to explore, and its scope is so much bigger than the Regé-Jean Page character that to focus solely on his absence prevents viewers from fully embracing Bridgerton’s expansive world.

Future Bridgerton Seasons Don't Need Simon To Return

Simon looking at Lady Danbury in Bridgerton

The pros of Bridgerton’s story structure make it so that certain characters — despite their previous importance — can take a backseat because each season moves forward with a different Bridgerton sibling’s tale of romance. Simon is not a Bridgerton sibling and, though his proximity to both Daphne and Anthony renders his absence from the story a bit strange in-universe, Bridgerton season 3 and beyond can succeed regardless of whether Regé-Jean Page ever returns. Simon is simply no longer a central part of the narrative, and he lives far away enough from London that he doesn’t have to engage with the Ton the way he did in season 1.

What’s more, as Bridgerton moves further away from the older siblings’ storylines and turns its focus towards the younger generation, Simon’s absence will be even less noticeable. Bridgerton will have its blind spots when it comes to the Regé-Jean Page character, especially where Daphne’s future storylines are concerned, but it isn’t something the writers can’t handle. The Netflix series’ writing team has already proven that they can maneuver through hurdles caused by actors’ unavailability — Simon isn’t the only absent character, with Francesca Bridgerton disappearing in early season 2 without a single explanation. With Simon no longer in the spotlight, Bridgerton season 3 and beyond can proceed without issue.

Bridgerton Season 4 Could Recast Simon

bridgerton simon staring at the camera

It may seem outlandish to suggest, but should Bridgerton desperately need to bring back Simon for a future storyline, Regé-Jean Page’s role can be recast. In the realm of television, recastings happen frequently enough that they’re rarely a surprise. At present, it’s not necessary, and may take getting used to, but it would be worth doing if Bridgerton’s writers decided to include Simon in season 4 — be it in a storyline with Daphne and Anthony, or simply to appear in family scenes. A Regé-Jean Page recast for Bridgerton season 3 might be jarring, but it would ensure that the new actor playing the role would be around for future seasons.

Bridgerton has already recast Francesca Bridgerton. Ruby Stokes portrayed the sixth Bridgerton sibling in seasons 1 and 2, but was recast due to scheduling conflicts. Francesca will now be played by Hannah Dodd in Bridgerton season 3. To be fair, Francesca was more of a minor character in the first two seasons, with most fans barely noticing her absence, so her recasting in Bridgerton season 3 won’t have fans talking in the way Simon’s would. Still, it’s a solid option considering Regé-Jean Page has moved on from the romance series to star in movies like The Gray Man and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Shonda Rhimes Thinks Page Leaving Was Perfect

Shonda Rhimes with her hands on her face

With Bridgerton season 3 on the way, many were hoping against hope that Regé-Jean Page would promptly change his mind and run right back to the cast. However, executive producer Shonda Rhimes felt that Simon's exit worked out just fine for the series, and felt that his arc had been satisfyingly completed. In an interview with Variety, Rhimes spoke out amidst the flurry surrounding Page's departure from the show, saying, "I think one of the bravest things about the romance genre is allowing people a happy ending. [...] Simon was this bomb of a one-season antagonist, to be reformed and to find his true self through Daphne."

Regardless of how gracefully Regé-Jean Page bowed out of Bridgerton, viewers were still upset by his decision. However, Simon's character was truthfully only pitched to have a season-long arc, and he chose to leave off where he did — and Rhimes thought this was the right choice. In a separate Variety interview, Rhimes explained, "Rightfully, he said, 'I signed up to do this one lovely story, this closed-ended storyline. I'm good!' And I don't blame him for that. I think that he was really smart to leave the perfection as the perfection." As much as he's missed, Bridgerton season 3 will be fine without Simon.