Phoebe Dynevor, who captivated audiences as Daphne Bridgerton in the first season of Netflix's Bridgerton, has revealed a simple yet surprising reason for her character's prolonged absence from the show: she hasn't been asked back.
In a recent interview, the actress clarified her status, stating, "I just want to say I have not received a call, and when I get that call, I will be there if I can." Dynevor, who made a brief cameo in season two, expressed a clear willingness to reprise her role, contrasting with the more reserved stance of her on-screen husband, Regé-Jean Page, regarding his character Simon Bassett.
Reflecting on the show's early days, Dynevor noted that the future wasn't meticulously planned. "When the first season came out they didn't know what they needed to put in place," she explained. "So we were like the ones that got away I think, in a certain way. But like we would—I can only speak for myself—I would always come back if I was asked."
She also highlighted the profound impact Bridgerton had on her career, calling it a gateway to diverse acting opportunities. "Suddenly I realized that I had these opportunities to play lots of different women," Dynevor shared, "and it's all I'd ever wanted in my career."
Showrunner Jess Brownell has firmly dismissed any speculation about recasting the iconic roles. In a statement, Brownell said, "It would be a disservice to everything Regé and Phoebe set up in season one, and all the beautiful work they put into those characters."
"We would love to potentially have them back at some point, but I think, logistically, we want to make sure we bring them back when we have something really meaty for them."
With Bridgerton currently in production for its fifth season, the earliest possible return for Daphne and Simon would be in a future installment. For now, fans of the original leading pair must wait, hoping that call eventually comes.