Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey has been pictured in rehearsals for his upcoming stage role in Richard II.
It was announced in June last year that the actor - who plays Anthony Bridgerton on the Netflix show - would play the titular character in London Bridge Theatre’s production of the classic Shakespeare play, with his stint running from February to May.
With the premiere just over a month away (February 10), the cast and crew are busy preparing for their run of shows, with Bailey being pictured reading from the script as well as being photographed with the creative team.
Related: Simone Ashley addresses career change for new British rom-com
“Richard II is charismatic, eloquent, and flamboyantly witty,” begins the logline. “And a disastrous King – dishonest, dangerous, and politically incompetent. Echoing down the centuries is the perennial problem: how to deal with a ruler who has a rock-solid right to rule but is set on wrecking the country he leads.
“Shakespeare’s subtle, caustic, and powerful play revolves round two startlingly modern figures: Richard, an autocrat who believes he is divinely sanctioned, and Henry Bullingbrook, a hard-headed pragmatist who has genuine authority.”
What to Read Next
In addition to Bailey, the cast for the production includes Royce Pierreson, Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun, Olivia Popica, Amanda Root, Phoenix Di Sebastiani, Clive Wood and Michael Simkins, with Nicholas Hynter serving as director.
Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025
Whilst Bailey will soon take to the stage, the actor was recently seen as Fiyero Tigelaar in the big-screen adaptation of hit Broadway musical Wicked, with the production leading to a surprising reunion with a special animal from the set of Bridgerton.
“I'd worked with the horse before, Jack, who needs to have a special mention,” revealed the actor. “I'd worked with him in Bridgerton. So we've built trust and a rapport. He's incredibly focused and can deliver a very stable scene partner. So with that in mind, I felt confident to sort of go for gold.”
Richard II will premiere on February 10, whilst Wicked is currently in cinemas and Bridgerton streams on Netflix.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
