'Bridgerton': Why Regé-Jean Page Won't Return As Simon Basset In Season 2

"Bridgerton" breakout star Regé-Jean Page was not surprised to hear that his fan-favorite character, Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, won't appear in the second season of Netflix's hit anthology.

On Friday, Netflix and Shondaland announced that Page will not be returning for "Bridgerton" Season 2. The news broke the hearts of the show's fans, but it did not come as a surprise to Page.

"It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year," Page told Variety, recounting his conversation with Shondaland producers. "[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on."

The British-Zimbabwean star also relished the idea that "Bridgerton" is an anthology, with each season dedicated to a different Bridgerton sibling's love story like the Julia Quinn novels on which the series is based. Fans of the books have long been aware that the series would not focus solely on Simon and Daphne Bridgerton's (Phoebe Dynevor) romance, which largely plays out in the first book "The Duke and I."

"One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes," he explained. "They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the marriage and the baby."

Page's stint on the show has ended because he was only contracted for one season. However, he remains supportive of the new season even if he is no longer involved in the production.

"I have nothing but excitement for ‘Bridgerton’ continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe. But there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing," he added.

This comes after Netflix and Shondaland confirmed his exit from "Bridgerton" via a notice from Lady Whistledown.

"Dear Readers, while all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings," the message posted on Instagram read.

"We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family," it continued. "Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer – more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear."

Meanwhile, Page won his first acting award for his role on "Bridgerton" at the NAACP Image Awards last month. He beat Keith David ("Greenleaf"), Nicco Annan ("P-Valley"), Jonathan Majors ("Lovecraft Country") and Sterling K. Brown ("This Is Us") in the said category.

"Nah man! It is the highest honor to represent us in the fullness of our beauty, of our glamour, of our splendor, of our royalty, of our romance, of our love," Page said in his acceptance speech, as quoted by Teen Vogue. "It is the highest honor to represent that and to represent the people I do represent and I will do my absolute best to be worthy of that."