‘Bridgerton’ Fans Slam Shondaland For “Bizarre” Jonathan Bailey Appreciation Post Following ‘Wicked’ Success

A recent Shondaland article alluded to the fact that Bridgerton is to thank for Jonathan Bailey’s success—and fans are rushing to defend his honor.

The original article, published on December 2 to celebrate Bailey’s recent role as Fiyero in Wicked, was titled “A Timely Ode (and Maybe a ‘You’re Welcome’ for?) Jonathan Bailey.” In the opening paragraph, Shondaland continued to credit themselves: “We at Shondaland would like to take the unusual, unprecedented step of apologizing and also saying, ‘You’re welcome,’ at the same time.” 

Fans’ frustration stems from the fact that Bailey was in television and film long before his breakout role as Anthony Bridgerton. “I’m still not over that…shondaland article like did it really piss them off THAT BAD that jonathan bailey is a part of an extremely successful movie and they can’t take the credit for it??” wrote one “X” user.

“Jonathan Bailey is one of Bridgerton‘s best actors,” said another person on “X.” “He is an immensely talented actor, singer, and dancer. Shondaland taking credit for his work, even as a joke, is extremely distasteful, to say the least.”

Some also find issue with Shondaland not promoting Season 2 of Bridgerton, led by Bailey and Simone Ashley, as much as the other seasons. “Also Bridgerton didn’t even give his season the promo it deserved, Jonny and Simone threw the wrap party themselves, paid for it out of pocket. Shondaland should be ashamed. Reeks of envy,” one X user wrote.

After its publication, the Shondaland article was renamed to “A Timely Ode to Jonathan Bailey.” Its opening paragraph now reads, “When the brilliant team of producers behind Shondaland’s hit Netflix series Bridgerton selected Jonathan Bailey to play Anthony — the eldest Bridgerton son and the viscount of their noble house — perhaps we weren’t quite aware of the new era of unholy thirst that we would go on to usher in.”

Prior to Bridgerton, Bailey’s first on-screen role was in the BBC film Bright Hair at just nine years old. He acted in several television shows in the following years, including The Bill, Broadchurch, W1A and Crashing. Bailey appeared in the movies Permanent Vacation and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, both released in 2007.

Bailey also has a background in musical theater. In 2019, he won Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards for his performance in Company. Bailey was recognized this year by the Critics’ Choice Television Awards for his role in Fellow Travelers.