Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey has landed the lead role in a new Shakespeare stage production.
Bailey, who plays Anthony Bridgerton on the Netflix show, will star as the title character in Richard II at London’s Bridge Theatre next year. Performances will run from February 10 to May 10, 2025.
Further cast members are yet to be announced, but the production is directed by Nicholas Hytner, who Bailey has previously worked with in the 2013 National Theatre production of Othello.
Tickets for Richard II go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, June 26 at 10am. Bridge Theatre members can purchase their tickets earlier via the Priority sale (now) or in the Advance ticket sale (Tuesday, June 25 at 10am).
“Richard II is charismatic, eloquent and loved by his friends,” reads the play’s synopsis. “And a disastrous King – dishonest, capricious 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.”
Bailey is no stranger to Shakespeare having played Cassio in Othello and Edgar opposite Ian McKellen, who played the lead in King Lear, at the Duke of York Theatre in 2017.
The new production marks Bailey’s return to Shakespeare, this time as a lead. He last appeared in the West End back in 2022 in the Mike Bartlett comedy Cock, alongside Rocketman actor Taron Egerton.
As for his screen career, Bailey is expected next on screen in October, where he makes a cameo in Heartstopper season three as bestselling author Jack Maddox, sold as “Charlie’s Instagram-famous crush”.
He’s also playing the role of Fiyero in the anticipated Wicked musical movie alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, with part 1 releasing in cinemas on November 27.
Richard II runs at London’s Bridge Theatre from February 10 to May 10, 2025. Tickets go on sale on June 26 at 10am via the Bridge Theatre website.
