He may be a global superstar thanks to “Bridgerton,” but the truth is, Jonathan Bailey has been an actor for years, particularly in the theater world. According toGQ, after seeing a production of “Oliver!” with his grandmother, Bailey made his stage debut at age 6. Per London Theatre, Bailey went on to become a child actor in a number of professional productions, from “A Christmas Carol” to “Les Miserables.” However, his big break came the year he turned 20, when he starred on the West End in “The Girl With A Pearl Earring.”
Bailey has since gone on to star in a number of West End productions, gaining a ton of recognition in the process. Per Hello!, Bailey’s performance in “South Downs” earned him a nomination for the 2012 Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. A few years later, he was nominated for an Olivier Award — and won. According toOfficial London Theatre, the award is one of Britain’s most prestigious stage honors, and, in 2019, Bailey became a recipient thanks to his supporting role in the musical “Company.”
Despite “Bridgerton” taking up much of his time in recent years, Bailey’s love for theater continues. In fact, speaking toShondaland, he credited stage work for his growth as an actor, even now. “Everyone has their own ways in which they grow and hone their craft, but for me, it is always theater … because I started in theater, it feels like my tribe.”