Originally appeared on E! Online
This story contains spoilers for part two of Bridgerton season four.
Bridgerton’s creative team still burns for Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page.
Following the actors’ respective exits from the Netflix historical romance series—Regé departed the role of Simon Basset after season one, while Phoebe portrayed his wife Daphne Bridgerton through season three—showrunner Jess Brownell dismissed the idea of bringing in new actors to continue the characters’ storylines.
“We are not interested in recasting the characters,” she told Variety in an interview published Feb. 26. “I think it would feel like a disservice to everything Regé and Phoebe set up in season one, and all the beautiful work they put into those characters.”
As such, the Inventing Anna producer insisted the door is open for Phoebe, 30, and Regé, 38, to reprise their roles in future seasons—as long as the story warrants their return.
“We would love to potentially have them back at some point,” she continued, “but I think, logistically, we want to make sure we bring them back when we have something really meaty for them. And to have them come back to say a line at a funeral and just prove that they were there, it wouldn’t feel right for many reasons.”
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Indeed, Simon and Daphne were noticeably absent during part two of season four—which hit the streaming service Feb. 26—as the Bridgerton family gathered for the funeral of John Stirling (Victor Alli), husband to the sixth eldest Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd). But just because viewers didn’t see the couple onscreen doesn’t mean the characters didn’t attend the gathering.
“I think in my mind, the camera doesn’t capture everything,” Jess noted. “They’re hypothetically there; it’s television.”
While Simon and Daphne’s future on Bridgerton remains unclear, John’s untimely death certainly had an effect on those around him—and could very well impact what’s to come in future seasons.
“When someone passes away within your circle, you think differently,” Victor told Tudum in an interview published Feb. 26. “A loss puts a necessary pressure on you because you think you have all the time in the world, but actually you don’t. When someone dies, it spurs you on to make those decisions that you wouldn’t have made if things were all good.”
For a peek behind the scenes of Bridgerton season four, keep reading…
Sibling Rivalry
Back to Besties
Sisterly Shenanigans
Stirling Personality
No Raining on This Parade
Puppy Love
All Smiles
