Fans were disappointed to learn that the Duke won't be back

It was announced over the weekend that Regé-Jean Page would not be returning for season 2 of 'Bridgerton'.

Regé-Jean Page plays Simon Bassett, aka the Duke of Hastings, in the steamy romantic drama.

The actor made quite an impression on viewers when the series debuted on Netflix over Christmas.

Many were surprised and disappointed at the news that the actor would not be back.

However his onscreen wife, Daphne, played by Phoebe Dynevor, will be.

There are a number of reasons for Regé-Jean Page departing the show.

Firstly, the actor had only signed on for one season.

Additionally, Page has been busy since the series debuted, between hosting 'SNL' and James Bond rumours.

He has signed onto 'Dungeons & Dragons', which features a star-filled cast, led by Chris Pine. He also recently wrapped on 'The Gray Man' from the Russo Brothers, starring opposite Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling.

No doubt the actor will have more projects in the pipeline, and being committed to 'Bridgerton' would have taken him away from such opportunities.

Moreover, in a recent interview with Variety, Page said his storyline was always going to follow a single-season arc.

He said that "it felt like a limited series, adding: "I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on."

Regé-Jean Page continued: "I have nothing but excitement for 'Bridgerton' continuing to steam train off and conquer the globe.

"But there is also value in completing these arcs and sticking the landing."

"One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes," he explained, gesturing at the series of novels from which 'Bridgerton is adapted.

"They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the marriage and the baby."

Season 2 of 'Bridgerton' will follow Daphne's brother, the eldest of the Bridgerton family, Anthony (Jonathon Bailey), as he tries to find a suitable marriage.