Jonathan Bailey is stepping into cinematic history—and doing so proudly as an out gay actor.
The Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers star headlines this summer’s blockbuster Jurassic World Rebirth, and he’s been refreshingly candid about the responsibility he feels in that role.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bailey said he felt the “weight of history” in leading the franchise, not just as a talented performer, but as someone carrying forward the progress of LGBTQ+ visibility in Hollywood.
“There’s a moment where you have to be excellent to prove that you can do it,” he said. “There’s the weight of history, and there’s endless brilliant people who have come before you who have changed the way that people see sexuality.”
Bailey stars as Dr. Henry Loomis, a paleontologist thrust into a new prehistoric chaos alongside Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Rupert Friend.
Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film marks a return to practical effects, an emphasis on tension over spectacle, and a fresh cast that’s been praised for its chemistry and heart.
While he’s previously earned rave reviews on stage and screen—most recently in Wicked and the political drama Fellow Travelers—Bailey says this role carries unique cultural weight.
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“Being an out gay actor, historically, meant you couldn’t play straight,” he explained. “That’s obviously changed massively, but the pressure to represent still lingers.”
Bailey has also been vocal about industry challenges. He previously told Attitude that some of the most conservative responses to his sexuality came from within the gay community itself.
But now, he says, he feels freer than ever, and is using his platform to advocate for authenticity.
“You have to be comfortable with talking about sexuality,” he said. “But also, we shouldn’t make it a commodity. We’re people, not just marketable traits.”
Offscreen, Bailey has become a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights.
He co-founded The Shameless Fund, a Loewe-backed initiative supporting queer individuals globally, and is active with youth charities like Just Like Us.
He’s also something of a fitness icon, running marathons and scaling mountains—literally.
Jurassic World Rebirth premieres July 2 and is already generating serious buzz, with early reviews applauding its fresh direction and inclusive cast.
For Bailey, though, the biggest victory may be simply showing up as his whole self—and delivering a performance that’s both fierce and heartfelt.
“This is about making space,” Bailey said. “And I hope that people watching will feel seen, too.”
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