He was courted with an offer!

Regé-Jean Page Declined Reprising 'Bridgerton' Role, Source Says

While it was announced that Regé-Jean Page isn't returning to Bridgerton, the star was apparently given an opportunity to do so! A source says that Page was offered the chance to return as a guest star, but is instead choosing to focus on his film career. Find out more here!

Regé-Jean Page could have returned to Bridgerton as the "Duke of Hastings," but is said to have turned down the opportunity! According to The Hollywood Reporter, while Page won't be involved in the show's second season, he was offered the chance to come back at one point.

Page reportedly offered $50K an episode for Bridgerton return

Page became a fan favourite after Bridgerton debuted on Netflix last December, playing the show's romantic lead "Simon Basset". But while viewers all over the world fell in love with the actor, it was announced last week that Page won't be returning for the hit period drama's second season.

In a new report, a source says Page was aware his role as "Simon" would only last for one season. However, it's said that he was recently approached to reprise his role in a guest star capacity! While the actor would have reportedly appeared in anywhere from 3 to 5 episodes of season 2— earning $50,000 per episode— he declined the offer "for a number of reasons."

Bridgerton season 2 to center on Jonathan Bailey's "Anthony"

Page previously told Variety that the show appealed to him because he could "contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on." Now that he has departed Bridgerton, he is said to be "laser focused" on his career in the film industry— and Hollywood has taken notice! He hosted Saturday Night Live in February, and has two upcoming film projects lined up— action thriller The Gray Man and fantasy epic Dungeons & Dragons.

The second season of Bridgerton is expected to begin filming later this year, and is set to focus on Jonathan Bailey's character, "Anthony Bridgerton". Bailey recently shared that while "Anthony" will be featured, fans can expect to see "a lot of brilliant characters introduced in this series." Several new cast members have already been announced, including Simone Ashley as "Kate Sharma"— who "Anthony" will be attempting to woo!

Second season spoilers!

'Bridgerton': The Significance Of The Bee

Bridgerton will continue to follow the same trajectory as the Julia Quinn novel series it's based on, this time drawing inspiration from The Viscount Who Loved Me. And while "Simon" won't be returning, it's been confirmed that his love interest "Daphne"— played by Phoebe Dynevor— will be part of the show's sophomore season!