BREAKING: Could the Duke of Hastings finally be riding back into the ton? Regé-Jean Page may FINALLY consider returning to Bridgerton after his shocking Season 1 exit – and fans are losing it! 🔥👑

Remember when Simon Basset stole every heart in 2020, only to vanish forever after one season? Rumors exploded back then about creative clashes with Shonda Rhimes, massive pay offers turned down (£250k+ snubbed!), and Page wanting bigger Hollywood roles instead of getting “pigeonholed.” He called it a clean one-arc story: beginning, middle, end – no more.

Fast-forward to 2026: with Season 4 Part 2 dropping any day, fresh whispers say Page is “teasing” a comeback, dodging questions with sly smiles like “I’m happy to support everyone in the show” and hinting the door isn’t slammed shut. He’s crushing it elsewhere—West End Great Gatsby, Netflix’s steamy Hancock Park, rom-coms with Halle Bailey—but could a surprise cameo as the brooding Duke fix Daphne’s lonely country life storyline? Or is it all fan wishful thinking while he builds his empire?

The irony? Simon’s exit made Bridgerton an anthology hit, but bringing him back could spark the biggest scandal yet. You won’t believe how close we might be… 👇

As Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 arrives on Netflix February 26, 2026, the spotlight shifts from Benedict and Sophie’s romance to a lingering question: could Regé-Jean Page return as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings? The actor’s 2020 departure after Season 1 remains one of the show’s most discussed decisions. Recent interviews and rumors suggest he might be open to revisiting the role, fueling fan hope amid his thriving career elsewhere.

Page exploded onto screens in Bridgerton‘s debut season as the enigmatic, reformed rake Simon Basset. His chemistry with Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne Bridgerton drove the enemies-to-lovers plot, blending Regency restraint with steamy tension. The season ended with their marriage and a pregnancy tease, wrapping Simon’s arc neatly. Yet when Season 2 focused on Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), Page was absent. Netflix confirmed he would not return, and he has not appeared since.

The exit sparked speculation. Reports claimed creative differences with executive producer Shonda Rhimes, with sources telling Page Six that Page clashed over the show’s direction. Others noted he rejected a reported £250,000 offer for Season 2 cameos. In resurfaced interviews, Page explained it simply: he signed for a one-season arc. Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2023, he said, “I signed up to do a job and I did the job and then I did some other jobs. That’s it.” He emphasized the limited series feel appealed to him—beginning, middle, end—avoiding extensions that might dilute the story.

Page told Variety in 2021 that early talks framed Simon’s role as finite. “It’s a one-season arc… give us a year,” he recalled thinking. This aligned with the anthology format: each season spotlights a different Bridgerton sibling from Julia Quinn’s novels. Simon’s story concluded happily; further appearances risked redundancy. Page pursued diverse projects post-exit: The Gray Man (2022) opposite Ryan Gosling, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), and Black Bag (2025). These high-profile roles showcased range beyond Regency romance.

By 2026, Page’s career flourishes. He stars in and produces a West End adaptation of The Great Gatsby, calling it “electric, glamorous, deeply romantic.” He headlines Netflix’s upcoming erotic thriller Hancock Park, returning to the streamer in a new capacity. Rom-com You, Me & Tuscany with Halle Bailey sparked dating rumors (denied or unconfirmed), while BAFTA appearances and stage work highlight versatility. In a recent Entertainment Tonight interview promoting Black Bag, Page addressed return rumors coyly: “I’m very happy to support everyone who’s in the show. Everyone’s finding fantastic success… I’m just super happy to say that.” The deflection—neither yes nor no—keeps speculation alive.

Showrunner Jess Brownell has ruled out recasting Simon, telling outlets the role belongs to Page. Daphne (Dynevor) has cameo’d sparingly, her off-screen life explained as country domesticity. Simon’s absence follows suit: the couple resides away from London drama. Brownell remains open to surprises, but no concrete plans exist for Page’s return.

Fan theories persist. Some hope for a cameo in later seasons—perhaps Season 5 (Eloise-focused) or beyond—where Simon could advise a sibling or attend a family event. The show’s inclusive world-building leaves room for cameos without disrupting arcs. Yet Page’s comments suggest contentment elsewhere. In 2025 interviews, he praised the cast’s growth while focusing on personal projects. A 2021 British GQ tease—“You know I couldn’t tell you”—fueled early hope, but years later, patterns point to closure.

The irony of a potential return: Bridgerton‘s success partly stems from Page’s exit. His departure allowed the anthology structure to thrive, rotating leads and keeping fresh energy. Recasting was considered but dismissed to preserve authenticity. Bringing Simon back could thrill fans craving Duke nostalgia but risk overshadowing current stories.

Page’s trajectory mirrors Hollywood shifts: breakout TV roles launch film careers. Like many actors, he avoids typecasting—Simon’s brooding charm could pigeonhole him in period pieces. Instead, he embraces modern thrillers, stage productions, and producing. Netflix keeps him in the fold via Hancock Park, suggesting amicable ties without mandating Bridgerton involvement.

As Season 4 unfolds Benedict’s tale, the absence of original leads like Page and Dynevor underscores evolution. The ton moves forward, but Simon’s legacy endures—his Season 1 impact launched the phenomenon. If Page ever returns, it would likely be a deliberate, limited surprise, not a full comeback.

For now, rumors remain just that. Page teases without committing, fans dream, and Bridgerton rolls on. The Duke may stay in the country—or one day ride back for old times’ sake. In the world of the ton, nothing is ever truly final.