Bridgerton fans are in for a treat because Regé-Jean Page has just scored a new, exciting adaptation. The actor stole the hearts of the audience as Simon, the Duke of Hastings, in Bridgerton Season 1, but has since moved on to other projects.
Page has now scored the leading role in an upcoming exciting adaptation: Elissa Sussman’s best-selling novel, Funny You Should Ask. The rom-com novel will be turned into a TV series at Apple TV+, Deadline reported, with the actor set to star. The rom-com also has a funny real-life connection to James Bond.
Sussman published Funny You Should Ask in 2022, and it follows a young journalist who feels like she gets stuck behind while all her former colleagues are making big career advances. However, it all changes when she gets the chance to interview a Hollywood heartthrob, and their time spent together makes a lasting impression on her, and even ten years later, there are still feelings involved that she tried to push away.
The main character in the contemporary romance is young writer Chani Horowitz, who gets the chance to write a profile on her favorite actor, Gabe Parker, Page’s upcoming role. The actor was her celebrity crush and the latest actor to be cast as the new James Bond.
In real life, Regé-Jean Page’s name came up as one of the many fan picks for the role of the next 007. With Amazon continuing the franchise, the role for the next James Bond is still up for grabs, and many breakout actors have been fancast as the 007 agent, including Page.
The actor received support from his recent co-stars fromBlack Bag, Michael Fassbender and Naomie Harris, who supported the idea of him as the new 007. However, when speaking to Entertainment Tonightearlier this year, Page shared, “It’s not something I’ve thought about very much.” The actor further explained that he tries to focus on his current projects and that he hasn’t “really meditated on it much.” He had previously addressed the James Bond rumors in 2021, right after the chatter of his role in Bridgerton.
The adaptation of Funny You Should Ask is in its early stages. Rachel Alter (Outer Banks) is reportedly writing the adaptation, which comes from Tomorrow Studios and Apple. Page is producing alongside Emily Brought through their A Mighty Stranger Production banner, alongside Alter, Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Alissa Bachner, Robin Schwartz, and Carolyn Daucher.
If Apple orders the series, Funny You Should Ask would mark Page’s first role in a TV series after Simon Basset on Bridgerton Season 1, as well as his return to the rom-com genre.
Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s most popular TV shows, based on Julia Quinn’s bestselling book series of the same name. The series is an anthology that follows the wealthy titular family, which includes all eight Bridgerton children and their quest to find love in a Regency-era London.
Although the series follows a different couple each season, most of the cast members made appearances in the subsequent seasons. However, Page never reprised his role as the fan-favorite Simon. Earlier this year, the actor was asked again whether he would return to the Netflix hit series. “I’m very happy to support everyone who’s in the show,” Page told Entertainment Tonight. “Everyone’s finding fantastic success, both with the show and personal projects, I’m just super happy to say that.”
