Lady Whistledown is going to have a field day with this one!

She delivered the urgent news to her readers this morning with a post to Twitter and Instagram saying,

“Dear Readers, while all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings,” the message began.

“We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family,” it continued. “Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer – more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear.”

The Duke of Hastings’ departure was to be expected since his character’s storyline plays out in the first book of the Julia Quinn novels in which the show is based, but we are truly sad to see him go. Regé-Jean Page had his breakthrough on the show and was nominated for several awards. He recently took home the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.

Page broke the news to his fans on Instagram with a picture of him looking dashing on horseback.

“The ride of a lifetime,” he wrote.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family — not just on screen, but off screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans — it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing.”

Photo Credit: People.com