Photo: LIAM DANIEL / NETFLIX
As the mourning period for Britain’s most boisterous fictional member of royalty, the Hot Duke, continues into its second week, Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes sympathizes with our horny loss. In a new interview with Vanity Fair Rhimes confirmed that Regé-Jean Page always had a one-season deal with the series, and he indeed declined to return for a few season two cameos, which were reportedly offered with a pay raise. But what really surprised her was the response from the fans. “I was really shocked, because that usually happens when I have killed someone who has been around for a while. As if we didn’t kill him, he’s still alive! She explained the tremendous amount of grief that came from fans. “He’s a powerful, amazing actor and that meant we got the job done – every season it’s our job to find the right people and this incredible, world-changing romance. I don’t know if I expected so much from an explosion, since every book is a different romance What would be the eternal future of this combo I mean really what would Regé-Jean do, you know what I mean? We gave them happily ever after! And now we’ve got another couple coming up. And so yeah, I was like, ho! “
Rhimes, who joked that she always had a knack for ‘finding guys’ who are ‘devastatingly attractive’ to star in her shows, remains optimistic about that future Bridgerton seasons will have plenty of other hot men for viewers to crave. “There are a lot of fantastically interesting conversations going on,” she continued, “mainly because I think people have a hard time letting go.” As a reminder, Page revealed earlier this month that he would not be returning to the Bridgerton universe for a second season, citing that he was attracted to the role due to its one-off nature. “I can come in, I can contribute, and then the Bridgerton family rolls on, ”he explained at the time. “It also has value to complete these arches and hold the landing.” The next season will mirror the book series and instead focus on Anthony’s life.