Hours after a few new rumors started circulating about Regé-Jean Page, Shonda Rhimes did an interview and appeared to confirm that some are true and others are false.
On Monday, a story was published on Page Six revealing that Regé-Jean Page declined to reprise his role as Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton Season 2 because he was unhappy with what the producers had in mind for his character.
A Hollywood source told the publication that the British actor had “creative differences” with Shonda Rhimes and added: “Regé is not coming back to Bridgerton because of creative differences with [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes and her team. He wasn’t happy with what was planned for his character for Season 2, which would have kept him a player but not the focal point of the show.”
Additionally, “Regé has been inundated with offers for other interesting and challenging leading roles.”
He is set to appear in Dungeons and Dragons with Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Justice Smith.
The Regé-Jean Page source went on to say that despite not agreeing on which direction the fan-favorite character should take, the overnight global heartthrob and Shonda Rhimes parted ways on good terms.
The person familiar with the situation revealed: “If you look at all the big names who have left [Rhimes’ hit show] Grey’s Anatomy in the past, you see you don’t disagree with Shonda, and nobody is bigger than the show.”
One day after the report surfaced, Shonda Rhimes sat down with Vanity Fair and confirmed that she is on good terms with Page by praising his undeniable acting skills.
The media mogul stated: “[Regé-Jean] is a powerful, amazing actor, and that meant we did our job — every season, our job is finding the right people and putting together this incredible, world-shifting romance. I mean, really: what would Regé-Jean do, you know what I mean? We gave them their happily ever after! And now we have this next couple coming.”
Shonda Rhimes took the time to shut down the creative difference rumor. Vanity Fair wrote: “We didn’t even kill him!” she protested with a laugh, dismissing the idea of creative differences.”
Rhimes also confirmed that Page and several other actors were invited to return for the new season of Bridgerton, but Page declined.
The Bridgerton executive producer confirmed that the Netflix hit series, that captivated a record 82 million households, had been renewed for seasons three and four, and filming will begin in London this week.
Season 2 will focus on the eldest brother Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey.
