“Everyone involved is theater geeks,” Bailey tells PEOPLE of the “Wicked” cast, adding that the group is now “totally bonded for life.”
Jonathan Bailey can’t wait for audiences to see him in another new role next year – and for good reason.
In the eagerly awaited film version evil, which will be split into two parts, the British actor plays Fiyer, the lover of Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo. To perform alongside a Grammy, Emmy and Tony winning actress was a rare privilege.
“To watch her perform and work opposite her and just see what she does is pretty amazing,” he told PEOPLE in this week’s issue.
Being able to act Wicked, meant Bailey, 35, had to juggle a packed schedule. He spent a week filming scenes for Showtime Companionsstarring Matt Bomer, in Toronto on Friday, parts shot Bridgerton in London on Saturday and practiced choreography with Ariana Grande for Wicked on Sunday. It was a period that the actor calls a “wild time”.
Everything you need to know about the movie ‘Wicked’ starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
Jonathan Bailey with Ariana Grande on the set of ‘Wicked.’.
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“I had an amazing dance coach in Toronto where I was, and we worked on choreography on Sundays and every day off – not that I had any days off,” he adds. “Poor Matt [Bomer]. We shared a two-way trailer, so whenever I danced, I think I rocked him either awake or asleep.”
Starring in Wicked movies, due out in November 2024 and November 2025, have made the non-stop work worthwhile, thanks in large part to the cast, which also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Bowen Yang.
“Everyone involved is theater geeks,” Bailey says, adding that the group is now “totally bonded for life.”
Yeoh filmed her first scene with Bailey and Grande just after she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Everything everywhere and at once.
See Michelle Yeoh and Ariana Grande filming ‘Wicked’ in full costume on set in England
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Jonathan Bailey’s latest project is Showtime’s ‘Fellow Travelers’, in which he stars opposite Matt Bomer.
Courtesy of SHOWTIME
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“I literally think Oscar was just off-screen watching the scene unfold,” he recalls. “Me and Ari were really giggling that day and seeing Michelle Yeoh singing and being brilliant was amazing.”
Bailey is extremely confident in both Wicked fans and newbies alike will ultimately like what they see.
“People will be hit on the head,” he teases. “So get ready. You have a year to prepare.”
For more on Jonathan Bailey, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here.
Companions airs Sundays at 9pm ET on Showtime.
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Source: HIS Education