Jonathan Bailey has a lot to smile about these days.
Aside from the blockbuster finale Wicked: For Good barreling toward theaters on Nov. 21, the English star, 37, was just crowned PEOPLE’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive. “I haven’t thought about it,” English star says of how the title might change his life. “If it gets intense, maybe I can call one of the Chrises or The Rock.”
Bailey first realized his fame was growing after catapulting into the spotlight following the 2020 premiere of the steamy Netflix series Bridgerton, in which he plays Lord Anthony. “I had the radio set for my alarm, and one morning it went off with, ‘Here’s the news at 7. But just before we go, can we talk about Jonathan Bailey?’ ” the actor says with an incredulous laugh. “I was like, ‘Where is my journal? Is this real?’ It was wild.”
Jonathan Bailey and his dog Benson.
Having earned an Emmy nomination for his role as a closeted congressional staffer in the Showtime series Fellow Travelers, Bailey also made his 2024 big-screen debut as Prince Fiyero in the movie musical megahit Wicked, followed by this summer’s blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth.
“I feel so lucky that I never, never thought that I would be partaking in these sorts of stories,” he says. “Because I think it meant that I was just so fastidious and dedicated to each job as it came, because I was so grateful for it and never thought there’d be another one coming.”
Raised in rural Oxfordshire along with his three older sisters by his mom, Carole, and dad, Stuart, Bailey says he was “really enthusiastic, probably quite annoying. Hard to calm down,” as a child. “I don’t think I ever thought of myself as sexy as I grew up.”
Jonathan Bailey.
He was especially close with his three sisters. “They were like my heroes growing up,” he adds. “I doted on on them.” Asked about the last time he was moved to tears, the actor admits he always has a soft spot for family.
“Like my niece was pupil of the week, and I was just so proud of her,” he says. “And she’s the eldest of the next gen of Baileys. And that made me well up. In fact, all my sisters, when they send pictures of their kids — I do find family does make me really emotional.”
Though he had to keep being named Sexiest Man Alive under wraps until the reveal, Bailey was excited to share the news with his loved ones. “It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd,” he says, laughing. “It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out.”
For more of Bailey’s exclusive interview and photos, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday.
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