Bridgerton favourite in talks to return for season 3

After he controversially bowed out of Bridgerton following his first and only season, rumours are swirling the Duke is coming back.

Regé-Jean Page is in talks to return to Bridgerton as the Duke of Hastings after bowing out following the first season of the hugely popular Netflix show.

The UK actor was a runaway hit with millions of fans as the aristocratic lothario who seduced Daphne Bridgerton, played by Phoebe Dynevor, in the first season of the Regency romp, which dropped in December 2020, The Sun reports.

Regé-Jean Page could return for Bridgerton season 3. Picture: Liam Daniel/Netflix

Now, after his controversial exit which was announced a few short months after his debut, sources say he may be back on screen for the third season, which will focus on the love life of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) aka Lady Whistledown herself.

Season three will follow Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope Featherington who has harboured secret feelings for Colin Bridgerton. Picture: Liam Daniel/Netflix

“Regé-Jean was always very open about his intention to quit the show after the first season and to move on to other projects,” a source told The Sun. “But recently there has been a dialogue between him and the show’s bosses.

“Nothing has been formally agreed yet, but watch this space.”

Page’s departure ahead of series two prompted a flurry of speculation he was soon to take on the role of another lothario – James Bond.

Fans fell in love with Bridgerton after watching Simon and Daphne’s love story. Picture: Liam Daniel/Netflix

He has been the bookies’ favourite to replace Daniel Craig since January. However, this week saw him toppled from the top spot by Idris Elba.

The source added: “Things are very up in the air at the moment, but this will be an exciting year for Regé, without a doubt.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission