Simon Bassett. Most of us just knew him as the Duke. When Bridgerton first dropped on Netflix in late 2020, nobody really knew that a Regency-era romance would basically break the internet, but here we are years later still talking about the Duke of Hastings Bridgerton fans fell in love with. It was a moment. A massive, velvet-clad, spoon-licking moment that changed how we look at period dramas.
He wasn't your typical Jane Austen lead. He was messy. He had trauma. Honestly, he was kind of a jerk for the first three episodes. But that’s why it worked.
The Simon Bassett Effect: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Let’s be real for a second. Regé-Jean Page brought something to the role that wasn't just about the physical presence, though that certainly didn't hurt the ratings. He portrayed a man grappling with a stutter, a dead mother, and a father who was—to put it mildly—a monster. That "vow of silence" regarding his lineage wasn't just a plot point; it was a deep-seated psychological scar.
When we talk about the Duke of Hastings Bridgerton viewers obsessed over, we’re talking about a subversion of the "alpha" trope. Simon was vulnerable. He was terrified of becoming his father. That level of emotional depth is rare in a genre that usually prioritizes stiff upper lips and polite ballroom dancing over actual therapy-level breakthroughs.
It’s interesting to look back at the source material, Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I. The book gives us more of Simon's inner monologue, but the show gave us the smolder. The chemistry between Page and Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne Bridgerton) was lightning in a bottle. You can't manufacture that. It’s why the show exploded the way it did, racking up over 82 million household views in its first month.
People weren't just watching for the clothes. They were watching for the tension.
The Great Exit: Why He Didn't Come Back
This is where things get spicy. When it was announced that the Duke wouldn't return for Season 2, the internet basically went through the five stages of grief in a single afternoon. People were mad. They felt betrayed.
But if you look at how the romance genre actually works, it makes total sense.
Each Bridgerton book follows a different sibling. Simon and Daphne had their "Happily Ever After." In the world of romance novels, once the couple gets together and has the baby, their story is technically done. Regé-Jean Page famously said his commitment was always meant to be a one-season arc. He came in, he did the work, he redefined the leading man, and he left.
👉 See also: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
"It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end—give us a year," Page told Variety. He saw it as a limited series within an anthology.
Was it a bummer? Yeah, totally.
But it also preserved the character. We didn't have to watch Simon and Daphne get into boring domestic squabbles or become background characters with nothing to do. He stayed legendary because he left us wanting more. That’s a power move.
Fact-Checking the Duke: What Was Real?
While Bridgerton is "historical fiction" (heavy on the fiction), the presence of Black aristocrats in Regency London isn't as far-fetched as some critics originally claimed. The show leans into the theory that Queen Charlotte had African ancestry, a concept popularized by historian Mario de Valdes y Cocom.
In the show’s universe, the King’s love for Charlotte "opened doors" for people of color to receive titles, like the Duke of Hastings Bridgerton family line.
In actual history?
- There were definitely wealthy people of color in London during the early 1800s.
- However, the "Great Experiment" mentioned by Lady Danbury is a fictionalized narrative tool.
- Real-life dukedoms were strictly hereditary and tied to white, Anglo-Saxon lineages of the time.
The show isn't trying to be a documentary. It’s a "history reimagined." It uses the aesthetic of the past to tell a modern story about consent, legacy, and family.
The Consent Conversation
We have to talk about that scene in episode six. You know the one.
✨ Don't miss: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
It remains the most controversial part of Simon’s journey. When Daphne realizes Simon hasn't been "unable" to have children but has been intentionally preventing it, she takes matters into her own hands in a way that many viewers found deeply problematic. It sparked thousands of think-pieces.
The Duke of Hastings Bridgerton storyline forced a massive public conversation about reproductive coercion and male victims of sexual assault. It was uncomfortable. It was messy. It showed that even in a "dreamy" romance, characters can do terrible things to each other.
The show handled it with a bit of a shrug, which is a valid criticism. But the fact that we're still debating it shows how much the character resonated. He wasn't a porcelain doll; he was a human being with flaws.
How the Duke Changed the "Leading Man" Template
Before Simon Bassett, the period drama lead was often a very specific type. Think Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy—wet shirt, brooding, but very much "proper."
The Duke was different. He was athletic. He boxed. He was openly sexual. He talked about his desires.
This shift changed the game for subsequent seasons and other shows. Suddenly, the "Leading Man" didn't have to be a stoic statue. He could be a man who cried because his dad was mean to him 20 years ago. He could be a man who prioritized his wife's pleasure.
The influence of the Duke of Hastings Bridgerton is visible in how Jonathan Bailey played Anthony Bridgerton in Season 2. The vulnerability was turned up. The "messiness" became a feature, not a bug.
Impact on the Cast and Future Seasons
The departure of the Duke allowed the show to breathe. If Simon had stayed, would we have fallen as hard for Anthony and Kate? Probably not. We would have been too distracted looking for the Duke in the corner of the ballroom.
🔗 Read more: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
By removing the most popular character, the showrunners forced the audience to look at the family as a whole. It turned Bridgerton from "The Simon and Daphne Show" into a true ensemble piece.
But let’s be honest. The shadow of the Duke is long. Every time a new season is announced, "Will Regé-Jean Page return?" trends on social media.
The answer, so far, has been a firm no. And honestly? That's probably for the best.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan or even a writer looking at why this character worked so well, there are a few specific things to note.
- Flaws create empathy. Simon’s stutter and his trauma made him relatable. Without those, he’s just a rich guy in a nice coat.
- Chemistry is king. You can have the best script in the world, but if the leads don't have that "spark," the audience won't buy in.
- Legacy over longevity. Page’s decision to leave while he was at the top of his game is a lesson in brand management. He didn't let the character get stale.
- Context matters. Understanding that Simon is a product of his environment (the "Ton") helps explain his rigidness.
To truly appreciate the Duke of Hastings Bridgerton, you have to look at him as a catalyst. He was the spark that lit the fire for the entire series. He showed that period dramas could be sexy, diverse, and emotionally complex.
If you’re looking to scratch that Duke of Hastings itch, your best bet is to revisit Season 1 with a focus on the cinematography. Notice how the camera lingers on his hands, his expressions, and the way he occupies space. It was a masterclass in physical acting.
While the show has moved on to other brothers and sisters, the Duke remains the gold standard for what a romantic lead can be in the 21st century. He was the "first," and for many, he will always be the best.
To deep-dive further into the world of the Ton, keep an eye on the historical nuances of the upcoming seasons, as the show continues to blend actual history with its own unique, colorful flair. The Duke may be gone, but his influence on the costumes, the music, and the "vibe" of the show is permanent.
Watch the first season again. Pay attention to the score by Kris Bowers. Notice how the Vitamin String Quartet covers of modern pop songs often mirror Simon’s internal state. It’s all connected. The Duke wasn't just a character; he was a cultural reset.