I’ve taken such pleasure in watching Jonathan Bailey’s rise. While Bailey was a relatively well-known actor in Britain, especially in British theater circuits, Bailey became super-famous because of Bridgerton, then Fellow Travelers, and now Wicked. I think because all of this came to him in his 30s, he’s handled his fame and stardom with a real grace, all while staying true to himself. He’s an out gay man and a LGBTQ activist, and it often looks so easy for him (in a way it wasn’t easy for gay actors who came before him). Anyway, I love that he’s getting so much attention in recent years. He was profiled by British Vogue ahead of his turn, in February, back on the stage in Richard II. After that, he has Wicked Part II and Jurassic World Rebirth. He has arrived. Some highlights from Vogue:

He loves going back to the theater: “There’s security in the theatre community. People talk about fame and Bridgerton, but the one moment where I really thought I’d made it was when Nicholas [Hytner] cast me as Cassio [in Othello] 10 years ago. He gave me the biggest break. He’s been an incredible mentor. With Richard II, I am returning not just to a play, but to a theatre director. He’s seen me freak out in the rehearsal room. He’s seen me sobbing.”

He went out with a girl for two years in his early 20s. “It’s interesting with the binary, where you’re perceived to be either this or that. That’s how I saw it at the time, but there are so many nuances to it. My experience of that relationship was not that I was in the shadows. She remains one of my best friends. I think other people understood my sexuality before I was even aware of it.”

Wondering if he was gay at a young age: Once, at a sleepover, he asked his friends, “‘Guys, guys, who else thinks they’re gay? Do you? I do. I do.’ It was a conversation I really, really wanted to have, to see if everyone else was on the same page. But everyone went quiet.” Then a teacher called him out in front of the whole class. “I was having trouble with my work and he said, ‘Well, if you weren’t so busy being a fairy you’d understand.’”

How he deals with the nature of fame. “It felt quite hard-hitting after Bridgerton came out. I really struggled initially; I was overwhelmed by it. But the people in your life have to adapt too. That’s the hardest thing: you see them struggling before you see it in yourself, someone pushing past your dear mum and dad to get a picture. I’m really good now at saying no to photos.”

On Wicked: “Isn’t it lovely, isn’t it special, isn’t it actually!…When I watched it, I sobbed. I think it’s a masterpiece.”

Whether he’s tempted to move to America: “No. That’s a hard no. I love New York theatre, so maybe, but it would be led by work.”

Whether he parties: “I love a dirty martini. The dirtier the better. But really I’m obsessed with breakfast, especially oats. Sometimes I make my own granola. I just love a seed.”

Does he want children? “Yes, it’s such a privilege for a man. But I can’t bring children into my lifestyle now.” Because he is so busy? “Yes,” he answers. I tell him it’s never a good time. “I want to make sure I’m going to be present. I’m reading books on adoption. I might coparent with a woman, but I’m thinking it will be with a man.”

[From British Vogue]

“Sometimes I make my own granola. I just love a seed.” Protect him at all costs. Interspersed within the Vogue piece are quotes from his friends and colleagues, and basically everyone adores him. He’s especially close with Andrew Scott, and I think everyone on Bridgerton loves him too. As for parenthood… I like that he acknowledges first and foremost that it’s a privilege for a man. That’s exactly what it is. And I think he would be a great father, although he’s not really considering it now.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.