As the third season of Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton rolls around, the age-old discourse has returned – where on earth is Regé-Jean Page?

The 36-year-old star shot to overnight fame after starring as Bridgerton season one’s dashing Duke of Hastings opposite Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton in 2020.

The Regency-era power couple quickly collated a devoted fanbase who praised their onscreen sexual chemistry and quickly dubbed Page the next biggest face in Hollywood.

After the huge success of the first season, however, Page broke viewers’ hearts everywhere after he announced he would not be returning for a guest role in the second season.

At the time he told Variety that he always knew this would be a one-season arc.

‘I have nothing but excitement for Bridgerton continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe,’ Page said. ‘But there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing.’

Shortly after, the Hollywood Reporter shared that sources confirmed Page was asked back for a second season by Shonda Rhimes given his popularity but he rejected the request in order to pursue other opportunities.

But four years after his breakout role, many fans have pointed out that he is yet to make his splash in the industry.

Since appearing in Bridgerton, Page has also starred in Netflix movie The Gray Man as the main villain Denny Carmichael and as Xenk in 2023 film Dungeon and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

He also joined the star-studded audio cast for The Sandman: Act II on Audible as Orpheus.

But to the backdrop of James Bond casting rumours that have yet to come to fruition, only two onscreen roles since Bridgerton is not the best track record considering fan furor at his departure.

As some have pointed out, his counterparts – season three lead Nicola Coughlan and season two lead Jonathan Bailey – have both committed to multiple seasons while also juggling thriving careers.

Most recently, Coughlan finished off her run in Derry Girls, appeared in new Channel 4 drama Big Mood and starred in 2024 British comedy Seize Them!.

Meanwhile, Bailey made waves in Showtime’s limited series Fellow Travelers, is set to appear in Wicked as Fiyero and secured a guest role in Heartstopper season three.

Last year, Page re-addressed relentless fan speculation over his career in an interview with Vanity Fair.

‘I signed up to do a job and I did the job and then I did some other jobs. That’s it. That’s the story. I wish it was more glamorous than that,’ he said when asked if he was concerned about getting pigeonholed as a romantic lead.

Page also admitted that the concern about where the next job will come from never goes away.

‘I think there’s a healthy amount of wolf-at-the-door that kind of keeps you getting up every morning. And I don’t think that that’s a bad thing. I enjoy the striving,’ he explained.

‘A good 90% of my industry is out of work at any given time. You know what I mean? We’re living a charmed life and I don’t think we get to take the charm for granted at any point. ‘

As for his perspective on being the next James Bond he said he would ‘leave’ people to their rumour-mongering.

And on whether he would take it, Page added: ‘I’ve got enough on my plate at the moment. I worry about the work I have, not other people’s jobs.’

Nevertheless, in April once more the audience took to social media to make their displeasure at his absence clear.

One viral TikTok from @nicole_kh showed someone checking their watch alongside the caption: ‘Waiting for Rege-Jean Page to launch hat big fancy career of his that he couldn’t juggle Bridgerton with.’

Several fans agreed in the comments, comparing him to previous period drama leads who supposedly left for other roles such as Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey and Theo James from Sanditon.

‘I’m just like ok it’s been years can you just admit that was a mistake and get back on the show plz [sic]’ @daisyfoko commented.

‘He definitely thought his career was going to take off… the industry definitely humbled him,’ @diariesofabookaholic added.

Another TikTok stated that he ‘fumbled the bag’ with his role and limited Daphne returning for a third season.

Some tried to defend him, with @Gracie adding: ‘He did his job. It’s ok if he didn’t like it enough to come back. It happens with jobs.’

There are some projects on the horizon for Page such as his next role in Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag opposite Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett which was announced earlier this year.

He is also tapped to star in Paramount Pictures’ reboot of The Saint.

Unfortunately, not only is Page unlikely to ever return to Bridgerton but neither will he be recast.

Showrunner Jess Brownell told Refinery29 they would definitely never replace him.

‘In my mind, Simon and Daphne are there,’ she added.

‘We don’t see every moment in the Bridgerton’s lives. Like, they’re going to visit them, they’re all getting together as a family — it’s just not what you see on camera. So they still exist in the world.’