From his early role as rock musician Tom in Groove High to playing the sex-obsessed flatmate in Crashing, Bailey has constantly displayed a talent for infusing even the tiniest of roles with excellent depth. The actor is so endearing to watch that he draws viewers in with his emotional transparency and leaves them stunned.
Now, with Bridgerton propelling him to new heights. It’s time we revisited Jonathan Bailey’s vast body of work. We have narrowed down his ten best TV roles that prove he is so much more than a pretty face.
Danny Gordon in Off the Hook (2009)
From the minds of Dean Craig, Vadim Jean, and Andy de Emmony is this edgy BBC comedy drama centered around Danny Gordon and his teen friends as they embark on a new chapter in their lives while attending the fictional Bankside University. Prepared to make the best out of college, Danny is taken aback when Shane McKay, his “worst best friend” from school, gets a spot at the university, and he barges in, often uninvited, to his university routine.
College Life Hijinks
Aimed specifically at teens, this British sitcom was a breath of fresh air. It blends cringe worthy university life humor with feel-good moments, making it delightful to watch. Jonathan Bailey stars as Danny, the protagonist, alongside Danny Morgan, James Buckley, Joanna Cassidy and Georgia King. The cast shares impeccable chemistry, which adds to the show’s charm.
From posing nude for an arts class to accidentally spiking drinks at a party, Danny’s adventures in Off the Hook may seem predictable, but they’re hilarious and endearing.
Tom Mason in Groove High (2012 – 2013)
A musical comedy series that blends live action and animation, Groove High centers around Tom and Zoe, two teenage rock musicians and budding pop stars who are on tour with their band. Somewhere in the middle, they begin to reminisce about the good old days at their performing arts high school, Groove High, which was the most elite boarding school in the country.
Displays Scene-Stealing Talent
Amid the zany antics and lively choreography, every episode begins in the present and travels back in time halfway to reimagine Tom and Zoe’s delightfully exaggerated memories as animated flashbacks. Bailey plays Tom with an infectious zeal, bringing humor as well as emotional layers to his character arc and displaying raw, untapped talent. Overall, Groove High is a show filled with catchy tunes, gorgeous character moments and unexpected friendships.
Alfie Jones in Me and Mrs Jones (2012)
Me and Mrs Jones is a romantic comedy series that only ran for one season (six episodes) and was directed by Nick Hurran. It centers around Gemma Jones, a divorcee and mother of three children – twin daughters Charlotte and Jess and adult son Alfie. The series explores the complexities of attractions when Gemma finds herself drawn to Tom, the father of one of her daughters’ play buddies, and Billy, a friend of her son. Can she resist her desires or will she pursue a forbidden love?
A Memorable Supporting Turn
The series is filled to the brim with relatable moments of humor and heart. Watching Sarah Alexander’s Gemma Jones navigate her emotions and get caught up in a tangled web of relationships feels extremely authentic. Jonathan Bailey, who is known for his versatility, delivers a standout performance as Alfie. His portrayal adds depth to character dynamics and family drama, capturing both the awkwardness and ingenuity of being a teenager.
Leonardo da Vinci in Leonardo (2011 – 2012)
Set in 15th-century Florence, Leonardo is a captivating action-adventure drama that gives audiences a ticket into the gorgeous world of Renaissance Italy. All fiction, it follows a young Leonardo da Vinci working as an apprentice. He is yet to showcase his brilliant, unmatched, free-thinking skills to the world. In the company of his contemporaries, Machiavelli and Lorenzo de’ Medici, Leo finds inspiration and experiences adventures ranging from love to war.
Bailey Portrays the Iconic Renaissance Man
Not just another period drama, Leonardo is a fast-paced and meticulously crafted modern comedy that immerses viewers in the Renaissance era. The costumes are a juxtaposition of historical accuracy and style, whereas the music is absolutely stunning. Bailey stars as young Leonardo da Vinci, adding nuance to moments like his first encounter with Lisa Gherardini, who is disguised as a boy. The series also has a lot of political intrigue and is a must-watch if you love history and art.
Jack Patterson in W1A (2014 – 2017)
Created by John Morton, W1A is the sequel to the BAFTA-winning comedy series, Twenty Twelve. A satirical spoof itself, it is set against the backdrop of the management department of the BBC. It revolves around Ian Fletcher, former Head of the Olympic Deliverance Commission. Now, he has been promoted to Head of Values and assigned with just one mission – to redefine and reposition the purpose of the BBC and communicate the same across all functions.
An Underrated British Comedy
By tackling themes of workplace politics, generational divides and everyday events at a corporation, the series proves just why (and how) British humor is sharper than American humor. From Prince Charles’ visit to the office to the media analyzing Ian’s salary, W1A has its moments.
Bailey has a supporting role in this one; he plays the slick and ambitious Jack Patterson. As the PA to Head of Output, Jack spends most of his time cooking up schemes and romantically pursuing a fellow colleague.
Olly Stevens in Broadchurch (2013 – 2015)
One of the most brilliant and compelling crime TV shows out there, Broadchurch stars Olivia Colman and David Tennant as Detective Sgt. Ellie Miller and Detective Inspector Alec Hardy respectively. They reluctantly team up for the investigation of an 11-year-old boy’s murder in a small coastal town. Close-knit residents of the community help little in pointing out a suspect. But the deeper they dig, the darker the town’s hidden secrets get.
Mesmerizing and Insightful
There is no denying the fact that Broadchurch is Colman and Tennant’s show. They are absolutely breathtaking as two troubled and determined detectives trying to do their job.
Serving as a side character is Jonathan Bailey, who appears in 16 episodes of the show as Olly Stevens, a stuck-up local journalist striving to cover the truth behind a story that rocked his small town. His performance offers glimpses of his intelligence and talent, further transforming the series into a riveting mystery.
Flatpack in Campus (2011)
An Unexpected Hit
Created by the same team that was behind the offensively hilarious and unhinged hospital-set comedy Green Wing, Campus is known for its humor and surrealism. It may be inconsistent in storytelling, but the show was only given six seasons to leave an indelible mark on television, so one cannot really complain.
Along with an eccentric cast that included Joseph Millson, Sara Pascoe and Katherine Ryan, it starred rising-star Jonathan Bailey. He was Flatpack, the sports-obsessed assistant to English Professor Beer.
Written and co-directed by Victoria Pile, Campus is yet another British comedy drama. It follows the staff politics and middle-aged drama in the quirky and surreal world of Kirke University. At the helm is Andy Nyman, who plays the role of Vice Chancellor Jonty de Wolfe. Deemed by many as a comedy grotesque, he wants Kirke – and himself – to achieve great things. But in order to have that, Wolfe must go above and beyond his way.
Tim Laughlin in Fellow Travelers (2023)
Mining on his recent popularity, Jonathan Bailey appears in this romantic historical thriller series as Timothy Laughlin. Fellow Travelers takes you back in time to 1952, where Hawkins Fuller, a man who has achieved the American Dream, finds himself in the company of an old acquaintance, Marcus Hooks, who then leads him to Tim.
What starts as a subtle flirtation at a party transforms into a decades-long volatile relationship revolving around war, scandal, changing political tides and more.
Bailey’s Most Soul-Bearing Role
For a limited series, Fellow Travelers covers a lot of ground. It may be a spellbinding romance on the surface, but underneath the veneer lie intricate layers of human fears and longing as well as a web of anti-LGBTQ+ politics.
Matt Bomer, who plays the handsome State Department official, is perfectly cast against Bailey’s political aide. Tim’s subtle smiles and his sideways glances are a contrast to his solitary moments. Delicate and achingly resonant, Jonathan cements Timothy as one of television’s most glorious and empathetic queer characters.
