Jonathan Bailey is enjoying a much deserved moment in the sun thanks to his role as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in the critically acclaimed and uber popular Netflix series Bridgerton. Season 2s leading man put up a stellar performance that inducted him into superstardom and cemented his place as the shows new fan favorite following the departure of the Duke of Hastings RegeJean Page. Bailey might have just gained international stardom but this new achievement was not sudden nor did it happen from a place of obscurity. Think of his success as a minimarathon rather than a quick sprint.
Bailey who began his career as a child actor cut his teeth in the theater performing in productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company and West End. Bailey had secured an acting agent by his teens and transitioned to the screens where he quickly established himself as a talent to watch. Unlike most of his Bridgerton costars Bailey arrived on the set of the Regencyera period drama with an impressive resume. An experienced and accomplished thespian he won the 219 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his role in Company. Here are Baileys pre Bridgerton performances where he proved he had the stardust to someday enchant us all.
Sam in Crashing 216
Before her massive break with Fleabag Phoebe Waller Bridge flexed her comic muscles with Crashing — a 6episode comedy series that initially aired on Channel 4. Crashing is focused on a group of millennial housemates resident in a disused hospital under property guardianship. With no particular focus on any of its characters Crashing gives room for each of the characters to flourish and Bailey shines through as Sam. Sam is a rich kid whos become at odds with his dad and seeks independence by moving into his own apartment thus becoming one of the residents at the hospital. A self proclaimed straight sex addict Sam soon finds himself grappling with confused sexuality after he encounters Fred Amit Shah a shy gay man.
Baileys ability to create steamy scenes with palpable chemistry was in full swing in the second season of Bridgerton in Crashing he showcases a toneddown yet equally breathtaking version. There is a scene where Bailey quickly flips a heated exchange with Colin Adrian Scarborough to a sexually tensed moment just by using his eyes leaving Colin seemingly torn between falling for his attempted seduction or punching him in the face. Its safe to say that creating onscreen chemistry is right up Baileys alley. Crashing is now available to stream on Netflix.
Olly Stevens in Broad church 213 215
ITV crime drama Broadchurch was an instant success with critics and viewers alike giving Bailey the perfect platform to showcase his range. The crime thriller is primarily focused on two detectives Alec Hardy David Tennant and Ellie Miller Olivia Colman as they investigate the mysterious murder of an 11yearold boy in the fictional town of Broadchurch. Throughout its 3season run both Tennant and Colman received resounding praise for believable performance but make no mistake Bailey equally holds his own as the ambitious journalist Olly Stevens a cousin to detective Miller.
Baileys portrayal of a curious reporter so eager to uncover the truth adds more intrigue to an already suspenseful series. His ambition frequently sees him clash with his boss Maggie Radcliffe Carolyn Pickles who would rather have him stick to a more orthodox approach to journalism. Broadchurch also features Baileys Bridgerton costar Simone Ashley however they dont cross paths as Baileys role ended in Season 2 while Ashley entered in the third season. Prime Video has included Broadchurch in its catalog.
Leonardo da Vinci in Leonardo 211 212
Bailey scored his first onscreen leading role in Leonardo playing the teenage version of the revered Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo explores the adventures of a teenage da Vinci as he feeds his curiosity by trying his hands at novel inventions. When da Vinci isnt forging friendships with his coapprentices at painter Andrea del Verrochios workshop hes exploring other interests on the streets of 15thcentury Florence. Leonardos historical inaccuracies notwithstanding Baileys believable acting seduces the viewer into imagining what the great da Vincis early years could have been like. Leonardo aired for two seasons on CBBC and received an Ivor Novello nomination for Best Television Soundtrack.
Jack Patterson in W1A 214 217
A followup to the BAFT Awinning comedy Twelve Twelve W1A is a hilarious satire of the behind the scenes happenings at the BBC. Ian Fletcher Hugh Bonneville who was the head of the Olympic Deliverance Commission in Twelve Twelve returns to reprise his role — but this time he is the Head of Values at the BBC. W1As realistic yet quirky characters are employees that any classic corporate worker can recognize. Bailey is Jack Patterson a self serving character who viewers love to hate. Much like his Broadchurch character Bailey yet again embodies an overly ambitious employee who constantly seeks ways to manipulate his coworkers and boss to get ahead. While he easily exploits dimwitted colleague Will Hugh Skinner he has it tougher with his inscrutable boss Head of Output Anna Rampton Sarah Parish. W1A is another vehicle in which Bailey rode to gain increased visibility as his effort in an initial recurring role was rewarded with an upgrade to a series regular in the second season.
Danny Gordon in Off the Hook 29
Baileys career trajectory is reflective of one who started out as a child actor and this entry is proof of that. Off the Hook was that show that introduced him as a potential teen idol and though he didnt exactly go ahead to accomplish that feat to the industrys loss Bailey eventually made his way to become a TV darling. The BBC 3 sitcom follows Baileys Danny Gordon as a university fresher with high anticipations about what school life could bring from girls to parties and everything in between but then an old friendly foe unexpectedly appears to intrude on his activities from day one. For one who ditched uni himself to instead focus on acting Bailey deserves praise for impeccably portraying the eccentricities of student life. He evokes nostalgia in everyone who has ever been at school refreshing fun memories as well as the cringe worthy moments you had wish to forget for life. As a true protagonist Bailey lifts the show on his shoulders in moments when the often stereotypical plotline fails to impress.
Alfie in Me and Mrs. Jones 212
Me and Mrs. Jones is a feelgood lighthearted romantic comedy series that follows the love life of single mom Gemma Sarah Alexander who like most moms prioritizes everyone elses needs above hers. Her life increasingly gets complex as she not only has mommy duties to attend to but is faced with the decision of choosing who might be right for her. Will it be Tom Nathaniel Parker dad to one of her young daughters friends or Billy Robert Sheehan her sons 2year younger friend Bailey plays Alfie Gemmas son and oldest of her three children. Alfie is proudly carefree funloving and charming a sharp contrast to the domineering and emotionless big brother we saw in Bridgerton yet Bailey equally does justice to the role. Talk about range.
Josh in Baddiels Syndrome 21
Baddiels Syndrome follows the titular character David Baddiels complex life and his attempts at using therapy to manage his woes. Among his many troubles includes his worrying suspicion that his young son might be gay judging by his delicate and sensitive personality as well as his effeminate interests. Bailey plays Davids son Josh in what was his first major role on the small screen. At just 13 years old at the time Bailey exudes such confidence when delivering his lines and his obvious innocence adds a heartwarming effect to his performance. Given that Bailey is gay in real life and struggled during his early years to remain closeted so that he could book gigs it must have at least been relieving to play a character that shared similarities with his true self. Bailey is now proudly openly gay and en route to accomplishing even greater things.
0 Comments