Shonda Rhimes Has No Ill Feelings Towards Regé-Jean Page for Leaving ‘Bridgerton’ After Season One: I Don’t Blame Him For That

Shonda Rhimes, Regé-Jean Page

Shonda Rhimes Has No Ill Feelings Towards Regé-Jean Page for Leaving ‘Bridgerton’ After Season One: I Don’t Blame Him For That

It seems like there was no love lost between ‘Bridgerton’s’ producer Shonda Rhimes and the series former star Regé-Jean Page after the actor decided to exit the show. 

‘Bridgerton’ easily became one of Netflix’s biggest hits after its release last December. According to reports, to date, the period drama series is the second most-watched series, by total watch time, on the streaming platform. Season 2 of ‘Bridgerton’ is expected to be released sometime next year and the series has already been renewed for a third and fourth season as well. 

Because of the success of ‘Bridgerton,’ many people were shocked when it was announced that English actor Regé-Jean Page, 31, would not be returning for season two. Regé-Jean Page stars as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, in season one of the popular show.

Regé-Jean Page

During a recent interview, famed producer Shonda Rhimes, 51, opened up about her thoughts on Regé-Jean Page leaving the romantic series. She shared, 

“I don’t think I expected everybody to have such a reaction to it. My assumption of what people knew of romance novels was … I overestimated a great deal.”

She continued,

“People’s attachment to couples is real — I mean, I know that better than anybody. And I think that means success. But I do understand their despair.”

Shonda Rhimes

When asked if there’s a chance that Page would return for a future season of the series Shonda Rhimes said she doesn’t think so. She added,

“And here’s why. He’s an enormous star now. As I like to say, the idea that we would write Regé to stand around in the background doesn’t make any sense at all to me. ‘What would he do?’ is what I like to say.”

Rhimes then noted that Page was invited to return for another season but he declined. 

She continued, 

“Rightfully, he said, ‘I signed up to do this one lovely story, this closed-ended storyline. I’m good!’ And I don’t blame him for that. I think that he was really smart to leave the perfection as the perfection.”

Rege-Jean Page, Shonda Rhimes

What are your thoughts on what Shonda Rhimes shared? Tell us below! 

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