This Is How Bridgerton Addresses Simon's Departure From Season 2
Netflix's "Bridgerton" is back with its second season, and there are plenty of moments to talk about from the newest installment. Returning after a long hiatus, Season 2 focuses on the eldest Bridgerton sibling Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) as he tries to escape the travails of love by focusing on fulfilling his duties as the viscount, but ends up in a messy love triangle with the Sharma sisters Edwina (Charithra Chandran) and Kate (Simone Ashley).
As one of Netflix's biggest shows, the anticipation for "Bridgerton" Season 2 had been building up for the past two years. The global hype around the newest season, however, could easily be attributed to the first season — and more importantly, Regé-Jean Page, who took the world by storm in December 2020.
But the show received an unexpected blow just months after the first season's success, when Page announced that he wouldn't be returning for Season 2. While it was clear (per the Julia Quinn books inspiring the show) that the second season would shift the focus away from Simon Basset (Page) and Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the news of the Duke of Hastings' absence startled fans for a bit.
With Dynevor reprising her role as Daphne in Season 2, fans were eager to know how the writers would explain Simon's absence in the season — and it looks like they found a seamless way to do it.
Simon was simply at 'home' in Season 2
As noted in "Bridgerton" Season 1, the Duke and Duchess of Hastings called the Bassett estate at Clyvedon their home. And that's where Simon Basset apparently was, as Daphne toured around London and Aubrey Hall in the countryside with their toddler son.
The writers did not leave the question of Simon's whereabouts lingering for long. The answer to his absence was given in the initial moments of Season 2, when Daphne arrives from Clyvedon to be present at her sister Eloise's (Claudia Jessie) debut in front of the ton and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).
Marching right outside Eloise's room where the siblings flocked to anxiously debate whether Eloise would come out, Daphne announces that Eloise better come out, since she left her "husband and child at home" to be in London.
Though there is absolutely no presence of Regé-Jean Page in Season 2, all hope is not lost for the future. Chris Van Dusen, the series' creator, revealed that he hasn't shut the door on the possibility of Simon returning in future seasons. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he said, "I'll never say never about Regé returning. He's not in season 2. Who knows what the future will hold."
With the show already renewed until Season 4, perhaps the Duke might grace us with his presence once again.