Jonathan Bailey has been on quite the career journey, from charming audiences in Bridgerton to preparing for upcoming roles in Wicked and the Jurassic Park franchise. Now, the 36-year-old actor is reflecting on fame, career wisdom, and one particular mentor who helped guide him along the way.
In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Jonathan shared that Lord of the Rings legend Ian McKellen has been a supportive presence in his career. The two first worked together on King Lear, and Jonathan credits Ian for offering him advice that has stayed with him.
“Ian McKellen was wildly amazing, and I did King Lear with him. He was one of the first people to come to see me when I did Cock on the West End, and we went for a drink afterwards,” he remembered. “He was so clear about how it might play out, and should it play out that way, what to be excited about and what to be aware of. I couldn’t wish for a better role model.”
Ian’s advice clearly struck a chord, giving Jonathan a deeper understanding of what to expect as his fame grows and how to stay grounded.
Fame has been a big adjustment, especially post-Bridgerton, which catapulted Jonathan into international stardom. For him, the fame that comes with being on a global hit show has been surreal. “It’s funny—obviously, you do get recognized, but the Bridgerton of it all is really interesting, because it’s one thing to be on a show that is national,” he explained.
Despite being recognized by fans worldwide, Jonathan feels that his fame is even more intense outside of his native UK. “I feel like I was more recognized outside of the UK than in the UK. It takes time to adjust to, it really does. It’s not an easy thing, but it also is amazing.”
With projects like Wicked and Jurassic Park on the horizon, Jonathan’s star power shows no sign of dimming. And with Ian McKellen’s wise guidance to draw on, he’s more than ready to take on the challenges ahead.
