The news of Regé-Jean Page not returning to play Simon Bassett in Bridgerton season 2 shocked fans, especially considering Page’s astounding success in the Shondaland Regency-era show, which has lead many viewers to worry that Simon might die in season 2. Although Simon not being seen in Bridgerton season 2 might seem unthinkable after how central the Duke of Hastings was in season 1, his absence would somewhat mirror the Bridgerton book series, where each book focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling finding love. Bridgerton season 2 will focus on the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), and his search for a suitable wife. The season premiere releases on Netflix on March 25.

While Simon’s absence was confirmed in April 2021, Bridgerton season 2’s trailer showed his wife Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) back with the Bridgerton family, ready to help her older brother Anthony in his pursuit of a wife. Despite his love life being at the center, Bridgerton season 2 will also focus on Anthony as a character. Just like the second Bridgerton book, The Viscount Who Loved Me, the show’s season 2 will probably give particular attention to Anthony’s relationship with his father, as his death deeply affected Anthony and his approach to love.

Related: Bridgerton: The Biggest Hurdles Season 2 Needs To Overcome

Despite Page’s absence from Bridgerton season 2 making sense for the books and the TV show’s structure, fans may be worried about Simon Basset’s wellbeing, as he will be entirely absent from the show. That wasn’t the case in The Viscount Who Loved Me, where Simon appears in a couple of scenes. As Simon is alive throughout the Bridgerton books, though, it’s unlikely the show will veer too much from the books to kill him off, so Simon will probably not die in Bridgerton season 2. Page’s absence from the scenes that might have included him in Bridgerton season 2 will more likely be ascribed to Simon’s storylines being concluded with Bridgerton season 1 and Page’s attendant rise to stardom.

Does The Duke Die In Bridgerton's Books?

simon hastings bridgerton season 2

The Bridgerton books don’t foreshadow any sad development in Simon Basset’s future, as the Duke of Hastings is alive for all eight novels, despite his character’s presence becoming sparser as the series moves forward. After The Duke and I’s epilogue, Simon can be seen in The Viscount Who Loved Me as besotted with his wife Daphne and trying his hand at the Bridgerton family game of Pall Mall for the first time. While absent from Benedict’s book, An Offer from a Gentleman, Simon is mentioned in a playful conversation between Daphne and Benedict, as she is ready to make an announcement, and Benedict jokes that he already knows Daphne and Simon are expecting another child. Finally, Simon appears in Colin’s book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, where he’s part of Colin’s ploy to tell the truth about Lady Whistledown with Daphne and the Bridgerton family.

Bridgerton season 2’s storylines regarding Simon are unlikely to divert too much from the book, especially since he is no longer central to the story. Considering how the books cement Simon’s happily-ever-after with Daphne, though, it’s unlikely that anything as monumentally dire as dying will happen to the Duke of Hastings in the show. Although Simon won’t be as central to the show as in season 1, Bridgerton season 2 is unlikely to outright dismiss him, as the show will likely include reminders of how happy Simon makes Daphne, while simultaneously introducing new characters from the Bridgerton universe for them to love.

Next: Bridgerton: How Anthony & Kate’s Romance Could Beat Daphne & Simon

Bridgerton season 2 will be released on Netflix on March 25.