Jonathan Bailey's career hinges on Bridgerton success

In recent weeks, a controversy erupted surrounding Jonathan Bailey, an accomplished actor best known for his role as Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix's popular series. Fans expressed outrage over an article published by Shondaland, which suggested that Bailey's career was significantly boosted by his role in the series. They claimed the article overlooked his extensive acting background, which includes performances in various films and television series prior to Bridgerton's debut in 2020. Bailey, now 36 years old, has had a long-standing career in the entertainment industry. Before gaining fame in Bridgerton, he had starred in British television shows such as Broadchurch, where he acted alongside notable actors like David Tennant and Olivia Colman. His role in the mockumentary sitcom W1A also garnered him attention, along with performances in the comedy Crashing, which was created by acclaimed writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The backlash from fans prompted Shondaland to amend the article after many took to social media to voice their anger. Users criticized the outlet for seeming to diminish Bailey's accomplishments, insisting that he should not be portrayed as someone indebted to Bridgerton for his success. Comments highlighted the importance of recognizing Bailey's previous work, with fans asserting that his involvement in Bridgerton should be seen as a continuation of his successful career rather than the starting point. In addition to his numerous television and film roles, Bailey has received accolades for his performances, including a Laurence Olivier Award and a Critics' Choice Television Award. He notably won Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier Awards in 2019 for his performance in the musical Company. The incident illustrates how quickly public sentiment can shift, particularly in the age of social media, where fans are willing to defend their favorite actors against perceived slights.