Bridgerton heart-throb Regé-Jean Page’s odds of playing the next James Bond have been slashed after it was announced that he will not be returning for series two.
In January, the actor, 31, was the bookies favourites to take on 007 after he hinted he could be a good contender to succeed Daniel Craig.
And now the odds have been slashed after Regé-Jean, who plays Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, announced he won’t be returning to season two.
He’s left fans shaken and stirred! Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page’s odds of playing the next James Bond have been slashed after it was announced that he will not be returning for series two
Bookies have dropped odds from 5/1 to just 7/2 following the shock news as it has ‘strengthened’ his chances of getting the role.
Several big names have been tipped for the role since the announcement that Craig will be stepping down, as stars including Idris Elba and Outlander’s Sam Heughan have all been suggested as contenders for the part.
Tom Hardy and Jame Norton also lead the list of potential future 007s with odds of 2/1 and 5/2 – respectively – at the bookies.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: ‘Rege-Jean Page has been tipped as a potential Daniel Craig replacement and today’s shock Bridgerton news has only strengthened his chances of getting the gig.’
007? In January, the actor, 31, was the bookies favourites to take on 007 after he hinted he could be a good contender to succeed Daniel Craig (pictured in No Time To Die)
Back in January, Regé-Jean hinted that he could be a good contender to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond.
The actor was leading the bookies favourites to take on the role at the time and fans had also thrown their support behind him.
Regé-Jean added fuel to the fire when he took to Twitter to share a glimpse of his character Simon Bassett, Duke Of Hastings, and referenced 007’s iconic drink order as he wrote: ‘Regency, royalty Shaken and stirred.’
The actor’s shock exit from Bridgerton comes as he is set to star in Netflix’s new rival to Bond movie in the streaming giant’s upcoming action film The Gray Man
Hint: Ahead of the show’s release in December, Regé-Jean took to Twitter to share a glimpse of his character Simon Bassett, Duke Of Hastings, and referenced 007’s iconic drink order
It was announced on Friday that Regé-Jean will not be returning for series two of Bridgerton.
The hit Netflix series took to its official Twitter account to reveal that the actor, 31, who plays Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, won’t be appearing on season two.
Regé-Jean, who is set to star in The Gray Man, also took to Instagram to confirm the news as he emotionally said it had been a ‘pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke’.
Bridgerton fans, including Kim Kardashian, were left devastated by the shock exit as they took to social media to share their heartbreak.
Shock: It was announced on Friday that Regé-Jean will not be returning for series two of Bridgerton (pictured in character)
In a tongue-in-cheek statement penned as the mysterious show lead Lady Whistledown, Bridgerton tweeted: ‘Your Grace, it has been a pleasure.’
The statement read: ‘Dear Readers, while all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings.
‘We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family.
‘Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer – more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear. Yours truly, Lady Whistledown.’
Statement: The hit Netflix series took to its official Twitter account to reveal that the actor, 31, who plays Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, will not be back
Sad: Regé-Jean, who is set to star in The Gray Man, also took to Instagram to confirm the news as he emotionally said it had been a ‘pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke’ (pictured in still with onscreen wife Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe Dynevor)
Regé-Jean later confirmed his show exit in his own statement posted to Instagram where he shared a picture of himself in character and behind-the-scenes.
He penned: ‘The ride of a life time. It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke.
‘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.’
Signing off his message, he added: ‘The love is real and will just keep growing ❤️❤️❤️.’
MailOnline has contacted both Regé-Jean and Netflix for further comment.
Emotional: Regé-Jean later confirmed his show exit in his own statement posted to Instagram where he shared a picture of himself in character and behind-the-scenes
The official Netflix account also re-shared the same statement, adding: ‘You’ll always be our Simon, Regé.
While show creator Shonda Rhimes also released a statement about Regé-Jean’s exit from the steamy period drama series.
The producer and screenwriter, 51, tweeted: ‘Remember: the Duke is never gone. He’s just waiting to be binge watched all over again. #ShondalandMenOnNetflixAreForever.’
Fans, including Kim Kardashian, were left devastated over the news as they took to social media to share their heartbreak.
Kim, 40, commented on the official Bridgerton Instagram page with: ‘Wait!!! WHAT????’
Sad: The official Netflix account also re-shared the same statement, adding: ‘You’ll always be our Simon, Regé.’
Show creator: Show creator Shonda Rhimes also released a statement about Regé-Jean’s exit from the steamy period drama series
A different fan said: ‘This can’t be true??!!?? Simon is the show.’
Another viewer commented: ‘Thank you @regejean for being the best Duke we could ever dream of!’
While a different account added: ‘Oh no!! I thought he was a going to be a side character. I don’t think I’ll watch it without him…’
Bridgerton follows the self-titled family and how their lives are turned upside-down by the revelations of the illusive and anonymous Lady Whistledown in London.
Superfan: Bridgerton fans, including Kim Kardashian, were left devastated by the shock exit as they took to social media to share their heartbreak
Woah! Kim, 40, commented on the official Bridgerton Instagram page with: ‘Wait!!! WHAT????’
The first series had a strong focus on the love story of Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, played by Regé-Jean Page, and Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe Dynevor.
The two characters start out as friends as a ploy to fool London’s elite and Lady Whistledown herself.
Yet after falling in love, Simon is forced to confront his inner demons after vowing to never marry or sire an heir to his dukedom out of spite to his late abusive father.
Bridgerton was officially renewed by Netflix for series 2 in January after weeks of speculation.
The second season will focus on Anthony Bridgerton’s (Jonathan Bailey) quest to find a wife after his turbulent love life was played out in the first series.
Candid: Regé-Jean told Variety that the ‘short-term commitment’ to the role was an appeal for him as it is a ‘one-season arc’ (pictured on the Graham Norton Show in February)
Regé-Jean told Variety that the ‘short-term commitment’ to the role was an appeal for him as it is a ‘one-season arc’.
The actor told the publication: ‘It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year. [I thought] “That’s interesting,” because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.’
Regé-Jean added: ‘One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes.
‘They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the marriage and the baby.’
Regé-Jean said that he has ‘nothing but excitement’ for the future of Bridgerton, adding that there is ‘value’ in completing the arcs and ‘sticking the landing’.
Hooray! Bridgerton was officially renewed by Netflix for series 2 in January after weeks of speculation
The actor is set to star in Netflix‘s new rival to Bond movie in the streaming giant’s upcoming action film The Gray Man.
According to Deadline, Regé-Jean will appear alongside Ryan Gosling, 40, and Ana De Armas, 32, in the espionage action thriller, which is set to be the ‘biggest-budget film’ in Netflix’s history.
The actor, whose character is yet to be revealed, will also join Billy Bob Thornton, 65, and Alfre Woodard, 68, and Chris Evans, 39.
Taking to Instagram to confirm the news in March, Regé-Jean shared a screenshot of the announcement as he added three explanation marks.
With hints of a Bond-inspired storyline, Deadline reports the thriller will centre around ‘a freelance assassin and former CIA operative Court Gentry (Gosling) as he’s hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans) a former cohort of Gentry’s at the CIA’.
Quest for love: The second season will focus on Anthony Bridgerton’s (Jonathan Bailey) quest to find a wife after his turbulent affair with opera singer Siena Rosso was played out in the first series (pictured in show still)
Production for the star-studded Netflix action movie is reportedly set to start in Los Angeles in two weeks time and the movie is said to hav a $200million budget.
Deadline reports: ‘The on-demand platform is hoping that it will kick-start a new film franchise with a James Bond level of scale.’
Joe and Anthony Russo are directing after developing the project for some time with Sony. The film is said to have gone back on the market over the summer and was picked up by Netflix.
The Russos also wrote the script with updates from Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
The Gray Man is based on the first instalment in the best-selling book series of the same name. The first book was author Mark Greaney’s debut novel in 2009.
Busy bee! The actor is set to star in Netflix ‘s new rival to Bond movie in the streaming giant’s upcoming action film The Gray Man (pictured in New York City in February)
Back in January, Regé-Jean hinted that he could be a good contender to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond.
The actor was leading the bookies favourites to take on the role at the time and fans had also thrown their support behind him.
Regé-Jean added fuel to the fire when he took to Twitter to share a glimpse of his character Simon Bassett, Duke Of Hastings, and referenced 007’s iconic drink order as he wrote: ‘Regency, royalty Shaken and stirred.’
The news comes amid claims the actor has secured a lead role in the upcoming adventure film, Dungeon & Dragons.
The actor is reportedly set to star in the Paramount feature film alongside a host of famous faces including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Justice Smith, The Hollywood Reporter revealed.
It has been reported: ‘The on-demand platform is hoping that it will kick-start a new film franchise with a James Bond level of scale’ (pictured: Daniel Craig as Bond)
Details surrounding his role are yet to be disclosed, but the current release date for the movie is set for 27 May 2022 in the United States.
MailOnline contacted Regé-Jean’s representatives and Paramount for comment at the time.
Regé-Jean Page lived in North London as a teenager after growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe. He spent the majority of his 20s in Los Angeles.
The actor has always been destined for stardom and as a teenager he was the lead singer of rock band The Super Nashwan Kids.
In unearthed snaps taken between 2005 to 2009, Regé-Jean looked worlds away from his high society role as he rocked purple hair and jammed on stage with his band.
Star-studded! Regé-Jean joins a star-studded cast with Ana De Armas, left, and Ryan Gosling, right, also involved with the project
The actor commanded attention as he put on a show for packed audiences in Camden, London, while being the group’s lead singer back in the noughties.
Regé-Jean went on to have small roles in dramas such as Casualty and Casualty@Holby City in 2005.
The actor also appeared in Fresh Meat in 2013, Waterloo Road in 2015 and For The People in 2018-2019.
Netflix confirmed Bridgerton had been renewed for series two in a tongue-in-cheek statement penned as mysterious show lead Lady Whistledown.
They also shared the news in January on Twitter and YouTube with a montage of best clips from series one.
Amazing! According to Deadline, Regé-Jean will also star alongside Billy Bob Thornton and Alfre Woodard (L-R) in the movie, which is set to be the ‘biggest-budget film’ in the streaming giant’s history
Premise: Deadline reports that the action thriller will centre around ‘a freelance assassin and former CIA operative Court Gentry (Gosling) as he’s hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans – pictured in 2019) a former cohort of Gentry’s at the CIA’
The statement read: ‘The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season. I do hope you have stored a bottle of ratafia for this most delightful occasion.
‘This author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season. I will have my pen to report on any and all of his romantic activities.
‘However, gentle reader, before you set the comments section alight with requests for more sordid details, know that I am disinclined to report on the particulars at this time. Patience, after all, is a virtue. Yours Truly, Lady Whistledown.’
It is believed that the second season will begin production in spring, Netflix have yet to confirm which characters will be officially returning for series 2 or further details.
Bridgerton debuted on Christmas Day and has remained in the top spot on Netflix’s most-watched list ever since, proving to be a mammoth success.
The steamy period drama is set to rack up more than 63 million views by the end of January and has already earned the title of the fifth largest original series to launch on the streaming giant.
The show is based on Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton novels – the second one called The Viscount Who Loved Me.
Book two follows Daphne Bridgerton’s elder brother Anthony, who is on the hunt for a wife.
As well as this, the story of Daphne and Simon Basset’s marriage would continue, as well as the developments of Lady Portia Featherington following her husband’s death. The mystery of Lady Whistledown’s identity also continues.
Julia Quinn refers to her sequel books as ‘second epilogues’.
They are The Duke And I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer From A Gentleman, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, To Sir Phillip, With Love, When He Was Wicked, It’s In His Kiss, and On The Way To The Wedding.
There were also a further two books focused around the writings of Lady Whistledown from the Bridgerton series, released in 2003 and 2004.
Bridgerton is available to stream on Netflix now.
Success: Bridgerton debuted on Christmas Day and has remained in the top spot on Netflix’s most-watched list ever since, proving to be a mammoth success