Regé-Jean Page is not opposed to the idea of Bridgerton recasting Simon Basset for season 3, and there are a few actors who would be perfect for the role. After starring in Bridgerton season 1 as the hit Netflix show's main lead along with Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page decided not to return for Bridgerton season 2. While each Bridgerton season is designed to focus on a couple of characters only, similar to the Julia Quinn books, Simon's absence in Bridgerton season 2 did not go unnoticed – raising the question of whether the show should recast the character for future seasons.
Bridgerton season 1 was based on the first book of the series of Bridgerton novels, The Duke and I. The Netflix adaptation manages to turn an already famous book series into a worldwide streaming phenomenon, and a lot of it has to do with the charming and charismatic main couple – Regé-Jean Page's Simon and Phoebe Dynevor's Daphne. Bridgerton season 1 was well received by both those who knew the books and those who didn't, quickly turning the show into one of Netflix's flagship titles. Bridgerton season 2 had even better streaming numbers, with Bridgerton season 3 already in production and a seven-season run that would adapt most of the events from the books planned by the showrunners.
Recasting Simon For Bridgerton Season 3
While Brigderton season 1 told a relatively self-contained Simon and Daphne story, the news that Regé-Jean Page would be leaving came as a surprise. The actor had been one of the highlights of Bridgerton season 1, if not the best part of the show, and it was difficult to picture what Bridgerton would be like moving forward. The structure of the Bridgerton novels helps sell the idea that Bridgerton doesn't have one or two main characters only. Still, in the books, Simon and Daphne continued to be a part of the story – even if in a limited role. As such, Simon's Bridgerton season 2 absence felt too difficult to justify during certain key moments. With Regé-Jean Page recently ruling out returning to the role, finding a new Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton could be crucial. Here are four potential options who could fill the void left in his absence.
Lucien Laviscount
When it comes to playing a charming love interest in a Netflix production, Lucien Laviscount has experience. The 30-year-old actor has recently played the role of Alfie, one of Emily's love interests, in Netflix's Emily in Paris season 2. Although in very different contexts, the dynamic between Alfie and Emily sort of resembles that of Simon and Daphne in Bridgerton season 1. Laviscount pulled off the sometimes irritating, sometimes intriguing energy of Alfie with ease, and that is actually similar to Simon's personality in Bridgerton season 1. If that was not enough, Lucien Laviscount has acted alongside Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne in Bridgerton, during the TV show Snatch. In fact, Lucien Laviscount and Phoebe Dynevor played a couple, Billy and Lotti, in Snatch.
Considering how the instant on-screen chemistry between the Simon and Daphne actors in Bridgerton season 1 was one of the main reasons why the show worked so well, it would make sense for Netflix to choose, in the event of a recast, an actor Phoebe Dynevor has already worked with. All of those reasons make Lucien Laviscount an almost obvious choice to replace Regé-Jean Page as Simon. That said, Lucien Laviscount is set to be part of the regular Emily in Paris season 3 cast, which could make it more difficult for the actor to appear in Bridgerton season 3.
Alfred Enoch
Another actor with suitable experience, Alfred Enoch worked with Shonda Rhimes, the veteran TV producer behind Bridgerton and several other popular shows, for six years in How To Get Away With Murder. Enoch played Wes Gibbins, one of the main characters in the How To Get Away With Murder series, for six seasons, plus a small appearance as Wes's son Christopher Castillo. On top of having starred in a Shonda Rhimes production, Alfred Enoch is also no strange for working on adaptions of famous book series. The 34-year-old British-Brazilian actor had his first big role very young in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, in which he played Dean Thomas. Curiously, Regé-Jean Page was also in Harry Potter, more specifically, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. More recently, Alfred Enoch played Raych Foss in Foundation, the Apple TV+ series created by David Goyer based on the work of Isaac Asimov. While Enoch is often fancast as other potential Bridgerton characters due to his previous work with Shonda Rhimes, such as It's In His Kiss's Gareth St. Clair, it would not be surprising if the actor were chosen to replace Regé-Jean Page as the Duke should a recast happen.
Nick Sagar
Known for playing a charming love interest in a Netflix romantic production, Nick Sagar is another potential good pick for the role of Simon Basset in Bridgerton season 3 and beyond. Nick Sagar played Kevin in Netflix's The Princess Switch trilogy, in which he shared the screen with Vanessa Hudgens. Despite the many potential couples that were there on The Princess Switch, the chemistry between Nick Sagar's Kevin and both of Vanessa Hudgens' twin characters, Stacy and Margaret, managed to stand out. Audiences may also recognize Nick Sagar as Victor Aldertree from Shadowhunters season 2. Sagar is 34 years old, the same age as Regé-Jean Page, and given how he has recently worked with Netflix, the actor could be a strong contender to play the Duke of Hastings in the case of a recast.
Aldis Hodge
While Aldis Hodge might be booked for the next few years thanks to the role of Justice Society hero Hawkman in the DCEU, the actor would be a solid choice for the role of Simon in Bridgerton season 3. Before being cast as Hawkman in the DCEU movie Black Adam, Aldis Hodge was best known for his role as the district attorney DeCourcy Ward in City on a Hill, in which he starred opposite Kevin Bacon. Aldis Hodge is 35 years old, less than two years older than Regé-Jean Page, and the actor has proven in roles like What Men Want's Will that he can combine charm with levity and a bit of humor in a way that would suit the part of Simon in Bridgerton.