Jonathan Bailey recently shared that he was able to film scenes for the highly-anticipated film adaptation of the musical “Wicked” during the American actors strike. This was made possible because Bailey is a member of the British actors union, Equity. Despite the strike causing production delays for the rest of the cast, Bailey was able to spend four days on set, completing some of Fiyero’s scenes. However, the crew had to get creative with his co-stars.
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, the Bridgerton actor described the experience as “pretty extraordinary.” He explained, “I think we had 10 days left filming before the strike hit. I was the only actor who was on an equity contract, so I had these four days where I came up and acted with people in wigs who were pretending to be [other actors].”
Bailey expressed excitement for fans to see Wicked, where he stars opposite Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba. He mentioned that there was still more filming left for him to do and eagerly anticipated the release of the film, especially the on-screen chemistry between him and Grande, hinting at a duet or two in the movie.
In addition to his role in Wicked, Bailey also teased the upcoming seasons of Bridgerton and his new Showtime show, Fellow Travelers, where he stars alongside Matt Bomer. Based on a fictional novel, Fellow Travelers follows two political staffers whose paths converge during the 1950s Lavender Scare, leading to a secret and intense relationship that spans decades. Bailey described the experience of filming both Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers simultaneously as “wild,” recounting a hectic weekend where he went from filming emotional scenes for Fellow Travelers to attending Regency Balls and Oz Dust Ball with Ariana Grande before returning to the set without any days off for 32 days.
As for the highly-anticipated third season of Bridgerton, Bailey hinted that it could be released at any moment but suggested that Netflix would provide a four-week lead time for viewers. Furthermore, Wicked is set to be released in two parts, with the first installment hitting theaters on November 27, 2024, and the second part following on November 26, 2025.
Bailey’s involvement in both Wicked and Bridgerton has kept him incredibly busy, juggling filming schedules and promoting his burgeoning career. With his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft, Bailey continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression in a variety of roles. His ability to balance work on multiple projects simultaneously is a testament to his versatility as an actor and his passion for delivering exceptional performances across different genres and mediums. As fans eagerly await the release of Wicked and the next seasons of Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers, Jonathan Bailey’s star continues to rise in the entertainment industry.
