Regé-Jean Page leaving Bridgerton
It was recently announced that Regé-Jean Page would be stepping away from his role as the Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton.
According to Page Six's sources, his decision to leave was due to, 'creative differences,' with Shonda Rhimes and her team.
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A Hollywood insider spoke to the outlet about his departure this week.
They said, 'Regé is not coming back to Bridgerton because of creative differences with [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes and her team.'
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Season two of the hit series focusses on Jonathan Bailey's character, Anthony Bridgerton.
This means Regé-Jean would no longer be the male lead.
The source said this was partially why he decided to leave, 'He wasn’t happy with what was planned for his character...'
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Sudden fame
Regé-Jean shot to fame following his performance in season one.
So it's important to note he's been, 'inundated with offers for other interesting and challenging leading roles.'
The insider added that the actor left on good terms despite, 'creative differences.'
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After it was announced that he wouldn't be returning in his role, he released a gushing tribute to the show on Instagram.
The actor described the experience as, 'the ride of a life time.'
He wrote, 'It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke.'
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Regé-Jean continued, '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,' he concluded.
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Shonda gushes over Regé-Jean
Shonda Rhimes also showed her utmost respect for the actor by writing a piece about him for the Time100 Next List.
She said, 'You might dream of him, the one we call the Duke of Hastings.'
'But in reality, Regé-Jean Page is finer than fiction and better than any dream.'
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Rhimes continued, 'He is that rare actor, one who brings an intensity, an intelligence and a precision to his work, providing endless depth to any scene.'
'His disappearance into character builds a vibrant world for us to enter, making it impossible to imagine any other actor playing the role.'
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'Few actors craft their moments so beautifully—or steal our attention so quickly.'
'As evidenced by his performance in Bridgerton, Regé is a singular talent whose prospects are limitless.'
'Today, he may be our duke. By tomorrow… not even I can dream big enough to imagine.'
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Regé-Jean was clearly overjoyed by the piece.
He reacted on Instagram, 'Completely lost for words. But, thankfully, Shonda always has the best ones'
'It’s an exciting time.'
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We can't wait to see what's next for Regé-Jean.
Meanwhile, Irish actor Calam Lynch has been cast in season two of Bridgerton.
Read more here.
