English actor Johnathan Bailey has just been named sexiest man alive by People magazine, but just who is he? Here are six things you might not know about him.
People magazine has caused a stir by naming its sexiest man alive for 2025 – English actor Jonathan Bailey. While the debate on sexiness is subjective, there are many people who will agree with People’s judgement.
This is just the latest accolade for a rising star of the small and big screens. In recent years, Jonathan, 37, has had starring roles in hit shows such as Bridgerton as well as blockbuster movies such as Jurassic World: Rebirth, Wicked and its upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good, which hits cinemas later this year.
But just who is Jonathan Bailey? Here are some facts to clue you in.
Stage inspiration
The acting bug bit Jonathan at an early age. When he was just five years old, he went to see a performance of the stage play Oliver! with his grandmother. From there, he knew he wanted to be an actor.
He started acting at an early age
After that formative experience with his grandmother, Jonathan took up dance and acting lessons. His talent for the stage quickly became evidence and by the age of seven he was appearing on stage in London with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in a production of A Christmas Carol, where he alternated in the roles of Tiny Tim and Young Scrooge. He had various other roles on stage and TV while still a child, including his TV debut in the drama Bramwell in 1996.
He was kicked out of university
Jonathan hasn’t taken the route many young actors take by going to drama school, saying the decision kept him grounded in the performing arts.
He did enrol at the Open University – where students study online – and signed up for nine different courses as he was keen to continue his education. However, Jonathan didn’t realise that if you don’t complete your course within a certain time, then you get expelled, which he did as his acting career took off. However, he does hope to return to his studies at some point in the future.
Broadchurch big break
Jonathan was catapulted to stardom when he appeared in hit UK crime drama Broadchurch, which also starred David Tennant and Olivia Colman in 2015. He played journalist Olly Stevens in all three seasons of the show, which ran from 2013-17 and drew large audiences.
Gaming voice
Gamers may recognise Jonathan’s voice from recent editions of the Final Fantasy series. In 2017, he voiced the character G’raha Tia in Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood. Since then, he has reprised the role in Final Fantasy XIV expansions such as Shadowbringers (2019), Endwalker (2021) and Dawntrail (2024). Jonathan is on record saying he enjoys the role, telling PC gamer that the writing is almost Shakespearian.
Bridgerton
Jonathan is arguably best known for his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series Bridgerton, a role he has played since 2020. The second series was centred round his character and gained him widespread praise on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
He is open about his sexuality
Jonathan is gay. However, while it is known that he has a partner, Jonathan is careful to keep his private life, well, private. He has never named his partner, merely saying that he is with a “lovely man”. But by keeping things private, it gives him the confidence to speak up on other issues.
Charity work
Jonathan has undertaken several challenges to raise money for charities in recent years. For instance, in 2019, he took part in the National Three Peaks Challenge – an event where participants try to climb the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours – to raise money for the Scottish branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Foundation.
In 2024, Jonathan ran the Hackney Half Marathon in London to raise money for Just Like US, a LGBTQ+ youth charity, which he is a patron of.
