Bridgerton will be missing Daphne Basset, the Duchess of Hastings, in Season 3. Phoebe Dynevor confirmed that she won't appear in the Netflix series' upcoming season but may return in future ones. This news isn't entirely shocking since Regé-Jean Page's exit after Season 1 stirred up conversations about recasting Daphne's husband Simon Basset. Nevertheless, Bridgerton will now be responsible for explaining Daphne's noteworthy absence in Season 3.

Bridgerton Season 2 made significant changes from Julia Quinn's The Viscount Who Loved Me to keep even the most loyal fans engaged and guessing when it came to Kate Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton's entanglement. The details known about Season 3 prove that the Netflix series will likewise stray from Quinn's Romancing Mister Bridgerton to tell the love story between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. That track record is the strongest clue about how Bridgerton Season 3 will deliver a story without Daphne Basset.

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How Bridgerton Season 3 Can Handle Daphne's Absence

Simon and Daphne stand together in Bridgerton Season 1

Fans of Quinn's novels may take Daphne's exit to mean that a pivotal scene between Daphne and Colin from Romancing Mister Bridgerton will no longer take place in Season 3. While a direct adaptation of that meaningful conversation requires Daphne's physical presence, Bridgerton can easily find a way around that by turning it into an off-screen trip to the Hastings' estate or an on-screen reading of a correspondence. However, Daphne's influential role in Season 2 suggests Bridgerton has a third option -- finding another character to fill her function in the overall story.

Simon not appearing in Season 2 pulled Daphne into a more prominent role in Anthony's character development than she had in The Viscount Who Loved Me. The second season also saw Benedict Bridgerton replace Simon as Anthony's confidant. The show provided a few updates in Simon's absence, but it primarily used his departure to elevate other characters and their interpersonal relationships. While it's unfortunate to keep saying goodbye to characters in the Bridgerton world, the exits always bring about something more.

For instance, Daphne's effect on her brother in Season 2 may mean that Season 3 positions Anthony as the one to have the pivotal discussion with Colin. Bridgerton features quite a few scenes between Anthony and Benedict in Season 2, so the third season would be an ideal opportunity to develop the dynamic between Anthony and Colin. The eldest Bridgerton may have romantic advice to impart now that he has a less pessimistic view of love because of his romance with Kate Sharma.

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Bridgerton Will Be Markedly Different Without Phoebe Dynevor's Daphne

Having other story options doesn't soften the blow of Bridgerton losing both of the romantic leads that launched the show. Those exits, whether permanent or not, raise questions about a potential pattern that may eventually include Anthony and Kate or Penelope and Colin. Then again, it's common to see characters come and go with the anthology style of Quinn's books. Each season is telling a new romantic story. Bridgerton tells Daphne and Simon's tale in Season 1, but the show never pretends that it ends there.

Daphne carries the torch of her love for Simon in Season 2, even when her husband is not physically present. Their love transcends their confined season and will continue to do so even without Daphne in Season 3. Only time will tell if or how Bridgerton delivers an in-story explanation for Daphne's absence, but her status as the show's first leading lady, a Bridgerton and the Duchess of Hastings secures her influence within the ton and beyond. Plus, dear reader, missing Dynevor's Daphne will only make her potential return more momentous.

Bridgerton Season 1 and Season 2 are available to stream on Netflix. Season 3 does not yet have a premiere date.