Bridgerton’s 'Viscount’ Jonathan Bailey named People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive 2025'

English actor Jonathan Bailey, best known for his roles in Bridgerton and Wicked, has been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.

The announcement was made Monday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where Bailey officially took over the title from The Office and Jack Ryan star John Krasinski, who was last year’s pick.

Bailey, 37, called the recognition a “huge honor,” saying he was “incredibly flattered” but also found the whole thing “completely absurd.” He joked that the only one he’d told about the title before the announcement was his dog, Benson, who also features in the upcoming issue of People.


Bailey has emerged as one of Britain’s most versatile talents in recent years. He first gained global attention as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton, a role that made him a household name. His star power grew further with his portrayal of Prince Fiyero in Wicked, the blockbuster musical film adaptation released last year. He is set to reprise the role in the upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good, which hits theatres later this month.

The actor also earned a 2024 Emmy nomination for his performance in Showtime’s Fellow Travelers and appeared in this year’s action-adventure film Jurassic World: Rebirth. Bailey’s upcoming projects include a return to theatre, with a recent performance in Shakespeare’s Richard II in London.

Reflecting on his journey, Bailey told People that he knew he wanted to be an actor since age five, after his grandmother took him to see a production of Oliver! Two years later, he made his stage debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company, launching a career that has since spanned film, television, and theatre.

Bailey, who has been open about being a gay actor, also founded The Shameless Fund, an initiative supporting LGBTQ+ organisations. “I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment,” he said. “So it’s been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of.”

In his conversation with Fallon, Bailey said he was “thrilled” that People chose him for the honor. “I’m sort of thrilled that People magazine have invited someone in – bestowed this honor on someone who can really cherish the value of a sexy man,” he laughed.

People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” tradition began in 1985 with Mel Gibson as the first recipient. Since then, the title has gone to global icons including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, and David Beckham.