Jonathan Bailey may have played one of the most desired men in Regency-era London, but when it comes to real-life romance, even Lord Bridgerton himself admits it’s a bit more complicated.
The 37-year-old actor, currently promoting his summer blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth, sat down with Amelia Dimoldenberg for a new episode of the beloved YouTube series Chicken Shop Date. And between bites of chicken nuggets and playful banter, Bailey peeled back the layers of his heartthrob image.
Not a Romance Pro, Actually
When asked if playing the dashing Viscount Anthony Bridgerton helped him improve his love life, Bailey didn’t hesitate to bring the fantasy back to earth.
“It’s fantasy, isn’t it? Romance is grounded and real,” he said plainly, drawing a line between Netflix’s corset-clad courtships and the messier realities of modern dating. It’s a refreshing confession, especially from someone whose screen kisses have become GIFs shared across Twitter.
Casting Chaos and Spinster Slams
The flirtation flowed freely when Dimoldenberg asked Bailey if she’d fit into the Bridgerton universe. Though he joked he lacked casting power, he offered to “put in a word.” As for her role? Bailey teased she’d be “really uptight,” maybe even “a potential spinster,” prompting an exaggerated reaction from the unflappable host.
It’s all part of the show’s charm, awkward pauses, dry humor, and celebrities caught slightly off-guard in a chicken shop. And Bailey? He fit right in.
Jurassic Jumps and Internet Thirst
Bailey stars alongside Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in Jurassic World: Rebirth, where he plays Dr. Henry Loomis, one of the film’s undeniable highlights, according to early reviews. While reactions to the film itself have been mixed, critics agree: Bailey is a standout.
The Glasses Heard ‘Round the Internet
Of course, no Jonathan Bailey appearance is complete without talk of his now-iconic “slutty little glasses,” which became a viral obsession online. On Chicken Shop Date, the topic was impossible to avoid, and Bailey leaned in.
He’s even collaborated with eyewear brand Cubitts to create a limited edition pair of specs, with proceeds benefiting his LGBTQ+ nonprofit, the Shameless Fund. Talk about using fashion for a good cause.
Fans Already Calling It a Classic
With sizzling chemistry, heartfelt honesty, and a shared love of nuggets and chips, this date might just become one of the most memorable Chicken Shop sit-downs yet.
As Jurassic World Rebirth charges into theaters this July, it’s not just the dinosaurs capturing attention—it’s also the leading man at the film’s helm. Jonathan Bailey, best known for his breakout role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’sBridgerton, is stepping into his biggest role yet as Dr. Loomis in the upcoming summer blockbuster. But for Bailey, this milestone carries more than just box office expectations—it’s a moment loaded with personal and cultural significance.
In a recent cover story for The Hollywood Reporter, Jonathan Bailey opened up about the challenges and weight of being an openly gay actor headlining a major Hollywood franchise. He admitted that while representation has evolved, the pressure to be “excellent” still lingers—particularly when breaking through longstanding industry norms. “There are moments where, yes, you feel like you have to be excellent just to prove you can do it,” Bailey, 37, told THR. “There’s the weight of history, and the many brilliant people who came before who’ve changed how we talk about sexuality.”
Bailey’s comments touch on a wider conversation in Hollywood—how LGBTQ+ actors, particularly gay men, have historically faced obstacles when it comes to landing leading roles, especially those involving straight characters. While the tide has shifted, Bailey notes that the journey is far from over. “Being an out gay actor, historically, meant you wouldn’t be able to play straight—and there weren’t many gay parts to play, either,” he said. “That’s changed massively. But there’s still work to do.”
From Period Dramas to Prehistoric Adventures
Bailey’s transition from corsets and candlelight in Bridgerton to roaring dinosaurs in Jurassic World Rebirth is a testament to his versatility as an actor. In this latest installment of the Jurassic franchise, he stars opposite Scarlett Johansson, playing a paleontologist thrust into chaos when genetically resurrected dinosaurs threaten humanity once again.
Directed by Gareth Edwards, Jurassic World Rebirth is the latest chapter in a billion-dollar franchise that has previously been led by the likes of Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Chris Pratt, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The 2025 ensemble cast also features Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Luna Blaise.
Bailey’s Dr. Loomis is a grounded, intellectually curious figure—a far cry from some of the franchise’s more rugged action heroes. But his inclusion in the central role signals something more important: that LGBTQ+ actors can carry genre-defining, mass-appeal films without compromise.
Bechir Sylvain, Jonathan Bailey, and Scarlett Johansson. Photo: Universal Pictures
The Quiet Power of Queer Leadership
Bailey’s role isn’t just significant because of his character, but because of the real-world implications of his casting. LGBTQ+ actors have long been relegated to supporting roles, particularly in action and adventure films. His casting, alongside established stars like Johansson and Ali, sends a clear message that queerness is not a limitation—it’s part of the modern leading man.
In interviews and past conversations, Bailey has consistently spoken about the paradox of queer visibility in Hollywood. In a 2021 Attitude magazine feature, he reflected on being discouraged from coming out by others in the industry—many of them gay men themselves. “The most conservative conversations I’ve had about being honest about my sexuality came from other gay men in the industry,” he said at the time. “They’d say, ‘Don’t come out—you’ll limit your career.’”
That fear is one Bailey chose not to abide by. Instead, he’s built a post-Bridgerton resume that includes high-profile projects like Showtime’s Fellow Travelers, where he starred opposite Matt Bomer in a sweeping historical gay romance, and the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, where he plays Prince Fiyero alongside Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
For Bailey, the most powerful response to any lingering prejudice is simply showing up and doing the work. “Any sort of prejudice against sexuality is something to fight against,” he told THR. “And what better way to do that than to go play any kind of character—gay or straight, hero or villain.”
When Representation Becomes Commodity
While Bailey celebrates the strides made in recent years, he’s also acutely aware of the commercialization of queer identity in entertainment. He points to the emerging trend of studios seeking gay actors explicitly for LGBTQ+ roles—as both a positive step and a cautionary tale. “It’s great that we’re no longer encouraging people to hide who they are,” Bailey said. “But it’s also telling that sexuality is becoming a commodity. That we still have to make sure it’s authentic, not just a checkbox.”
It’s a nuanced perspective that cuts through the rainbow-colored marketing of Pride Month and gets to the heart of what real inclusivity looks like: casting LGBTQ+ actors not just in LGBTQ+ roles, but in any role—because they’re right for the part.
A Blockbuster with a Message
Jurassic World Rebirth may be a spectacle-driven thriller on the surface, but its casting choices—and the conversations they spark—add an extra layer of meaning. At a time when queer rights and representation are under scrutiny across the globe, Bailey’s presence in the film is both powerful and political.
He’s not just running from raptors—he’s running toward a future where actors like him don’t need to justify their place at the top of the call sheet. “There are people now—just like I was—using the internet or cinema to figure out who they are,” Bailey said. “We owe it to them to make sure they see people like them on screen. People who are strong. People who matter.”
Jurassic World Rebirth stomps into theaters July 2.
The Jurassic Park franchise has always captivated audiences with its thrilling spectacle of dinosaurs, chaos, and larger-than-life action. Since the release of Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1993 film, the series has evolved through sequels, reboots, and reinventions, continuously delivering the same exhilaration of watching towering prehistoric creatures on screen. While some entries have faced mockery and criticism for their outlandish plots, the franchise’s mix of absurdity, star power, and entertainment has remained its core appeal.
With the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth on February 7, Universal Pictures has reignited that excitement, delivering a visual feast that promises even more high-stakes action. The film, slated to hit theaters in 2024, continues the saga five years after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion in 2022. While some fans may question the timeline’s consistency, the franchise’s commitment to delivering thrills over logical precision remains intact. Dinosaurs, after all, are not meant to be bound by reality.
Bechir Sylvain, Jonathan Bailey, and Scarlett Johansson. Photo: Universal Pictures
In this new chapter, the world has become largely uninhabitable for dinosaurs, forcing the once-dominant creatures to seek refuge in a few remaining safe havens. Among them is the iconic original Jurassic Park, which has long been abandoned by humans due to its inherent dangers. Enter Scarlett Johansson, who plays Zora Bennett, a covert operations expert with a mission to retrieve DNA samples from the three largest dinosaurs in the world. The DNA is crucial to the development of a life-saving medical breakthrough. To accomplish her mission, Zora enlists the help of Dr. Henry Loomis, a paleontologist played by Jonathan Bailey.
While there are certainly additional plot elements that will unfold, the trailer highlights the central dynamic between Johansson’s Zora and Bailey’s Henry, which promises to bring humor, suspense, and adventure in equal measure. One of the standout moments from the trailer showcases Bailey’s Henry as he gazes up in awe at a giant dinosaur, whispering, “Whoa, my god!” His expression of wonder echoes the audience’s likely reaction, as the film invites viewers into a world where awe and danger are intertwined.
The visual effects in Rebirth have notably improved, with the dinosaurs appearing more lifelike and less cartoonish than in some of the recent franchise installments. The CGI department has certainly stepped up its game, delivering impressive depictions of these prehistoric creatures in their full glory.
Jurassic World: Rebirth looks set to deliver its signature action-packed set pieces, with raptors returning to the fray and promises of even more thrilling sequences. However, what has always set the franchise apart is its ability to balance high-octane action with a sense of humor. The original Jurassic Park was as much a comedy as it was an action-horror film, with moments of light-hearted banter woven into the chaos. Early indications suggest that Rebirth will follow this tradition.
In one of the trailer’s lighter moments, Johansson’s Zora quips to Bailey’s Henry, “I can guarantee your safety. More or less,” to which Henry adorably responds, “More or less?!” This playful back-and-forth showcases the chemistry between the two leads. Bailey, who has earned widespread recognition for his roles in Bridgerton, Wicked, and Fellow Travelers, further proves his ability to deliver charming comedic moments.
Another humorous exchange comes between Bailey’s Henry and Rupert Friend’s character, Martin Krebs. When Krebs asks if they need to collect a sample from an egg, Henry sarcastically replies, “I suppose we could try to get it from the parent, but they’re a flying carnivore the size of an F16.” This exchange highlights Bailey’s impeccable comedic timing and adds a layer of levity to the otherwise high-stakes narrative.
Beyond the laughs and thrills, Jurassic World: Rebirth holds significant cultural importance, especially with Jonathan Bailey’s starring role. Bailey’s casting is notable not only for his immense talent but also for being one of the first openly gay actors to lead a blockbuster action film. His role in this high-profile project marks a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, as he joins the ranks of major stars in a genre traditionally dominated by straight actors.
In addition to his acting prowess, Bailey’s charm and relatability have earned him a devoted fan base, and Rebirth is poised to solidify his status as a leading man in the industry. As he continues to captivate audiences with his performances, Bailey’s presence in a franchise as iconic as Jurassic World is a momentous step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream cinema.
As the Jurassic World franchise continues to evolve, Rebirth promises to deliver everything fans love about the series: action, humor, and, of course, dinosaurs. Whether you’re in it for the thrills, the laughs, or the spectacle, this latest installment looks set to offer it all—along with a fresh dose of star power from Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey. With Rebirth, the adventure is far from over.
