Sorry, Bridgerton fans but if you thought your beloved Duke was returning anytime soon: prepare to be disappointed. Sources have told Page Six that the real reason Regé-Jean Page left Bridgerton wasn't because of the storyline, but rather "creative differences" between Regé and executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
“Regé is not coming back to ‘Bridgerton’ because of creative differences with [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes and her team," a source revealed to Page Six.
The source went on to further explain Regé's exit from the show claiming, "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.”
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The actor's career really skyrocketed after his performance in the Regency-era drama, even landing him a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live and an NAACP award for best actor. The Hollywood source also claimed that due to Regé's increase in popularity, more "interesting and challenging roles" have been presented to the actor.
Season two of Bridgerton is also said to shift its focus from Daphne and the Duke to the eldest Bridgerton sibling Anthony and his search for a wife. For Regé's character, that means less screentime for him.
Not to worry, though, the actor has supposedly left the show on good terms, according to the source.
“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, nobody is bigger than the show,” they also added that Regé is leaving the show on good terms despite the “creative differences.”
Regé originally announced his departure from the show claiming it was the plan from the start. In an Instagram post, he shared a photo of himself in character with a heartfelt caption thanking the cast and crew for his time on the show.
"The ride of a lifetime. It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke," he wrote. "Joining this family - not just on-screen, but off-screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans - it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing."
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