Jonathan Bailey Is the Sexiest Man Alive

DASHING IN ALL THAT HE DOES, THE ENGLISH ACTOR IS STEALING SCENES—AND HEARTS—AND SOLIDIFYING HIS STANDING AS ONE OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST MAGNETIC STARS

- Julie Jordan

Jonathan Bailey knows how to bring the heat. Literally. After diving into the frigid ocean off a beach south of London for this cover shoot (his idea), he sits down in a cable knit sweater and requests a glass of Bordeaux (this writer joins him as well), and within minutes everyone in the room looks flushed. It’s also quickly obvious why the English actor, 37, brimming with charm, wit and almost unfairly handsome looks, has become one of the most irresistible stars in Hollywood. And yet he’s still getting used to all the fuss. Asked when he first realized his fame was growing, Bailey recalls a moment in 2020 shortly after the steamy Netflix series Bridgerton catapulted him into the spotlight. “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.”

He’s going to need a bigger journal. In the past five years Bailey has captured hearts as Lord Anthony on Bridgerton and earned an Emmy nomination for his role as a closeted congressional staffer in the Showtime series Fellow Travelers. Then, of course, there’s his 2024 big-screen debut as Prince Fiyero in the movie musical megahit Wicked, followed by this summer’s blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth. The actor has been grateful to work alongside “brilliant” talent like Matt Bomer, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Scarlett Johansson. Based on photos of him with his costars (always hugging, sometimes kissing), the feeling appears to be very mutual.

Man's Best Friend Bailey's dog Benson is a 10-year-old cockapoo whom his family got in 2015.