Regé-Jean Page Has Some Surprising Choice Words About Simon Basset
It seems that Page hates his most famous character.
Netflix's Bridgerton is one of the most popular shows in the current streaming landscape, delighting fans with its superb quality and endearing romantic stories since the first season premiered in 2020.
And while the second season was well-liked by millions of people around the world, the first one is still remembered as a masterclass in period romance, largely due to the incredibly charismatic pair of lovers, Simon Basset and Daphne Bridgerton, portrayed by Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor.
The two actors brilliantly captured the essence of a complicated romantic relationship, as Simon and Daphne spent much of the season despising each other and suppressing their feelings to appease the upper echelons of London's aristocratic society. Ultimately, as we all know, the couple threw caution to the wind and let their passion run wild, resulting in one of the most intense moments ever seen on television.
However, even though Page gained fame through his role as Basset, it seems the heartthrob truly disliked the Duke of Hastings as a character, describing him as an utterly detestable spoiled brat who was merely lucky to meet a woman as wonderful and compassionate as Daphne.
'We did so well on that redemptive arc that people forget that Simon was kind of horrific. He was the best example of a Regency f***boy that any of us had come across, and so, because we came around full circle so well because we stuck that landing, you're left with this great feeling. You really do have to be brave about ending stories like that,' Page said.
Given Page's strong feelings about Basset as a character, it's little surprise that the actor chose not to reprise his role in the second or third Bridgerton series: he was probably reluctant to delve into the psyche of such a character again.
Fortunately, Page didn't really need to return to the show, as Hollywood producers offered him a number of high-profile projects, so he was able to choose the ones he liked best, leaving Simon Basset behind once and for all.
Source: Variety.