Cover photo: TUDUM by Netflix / Liam Daniel
When cameras roll on romantic scenes in films or series, laughter can sometimes outshine passion. Jonathan Bailey, the dashing and always stylish Anthony Bridgerton, recently opened up honestly about what filming intimate scenes on Netflix’s hit series is really like. He admitted that behind those romantic moments, there are often hilarious situations fans never see on screen.
The Reality Behind the Screen
Though Bridgerton is known for its steamy scenes, Bailey says the reality is much less romantic. “I find it hard not to laugh while filming,” he told OK! magazine. With cameras, crew, intimacy coordinators, and strict protocols, the “passion” sometimes just turns into comedy.
“I know sex scenes always grab viewers’ attention, but for us actors, the scenes where we convey deep emotions are way more exciting,” he added.
For Bailey, it’s always important that intimate scenes have meaningful content, not just visuals. “I don’t like it when we undress just because a scene needs to be shot. There’s always a deeper meaning behind it,” he explained.
Sometimes Laughter Beats Passion
Although Bailey appeared in a bold scene within the first minutes of the series premiere, he firmly stated that funny moments are unavoidable. On set, between the camera and the scene’s “curtains,” people often start laughing—and that’s totally normal. “It’s incredibly hard to stay serious when everyone around you is laughing,” he shared.
Emotional Depth Above All
The actor emphasized that for him, the heart of the series is showcasing love in all its forms. The fourth season of Bridgerton is no exception: it follows different characters’ love journeys, and although Anthony’s character hasn’t appeared in the first four episodes, he’ll soon be back on screen.
“It’s wonderful to be part of it, always returning and welcoming new love stories,” Bailey said on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Balancing Fame and Privacy
In real life, Bailey is laid-back and grounded. PEOPLE magazine named him the world’s sexiest man in 2025, but he still laughs about the fame.
“It’s a huge honor, but honestly, who wouldn’t feel that way?” he said.
Thanks to his six nieces and nephews, Bailey stays down to earth and spoke openly about starting a family. “I feel incredibly privileged to be a gay man—I don’t have a biological clock. How lucky is that? Is it really possible for me to have children? So I’m aware of it as an idea, a concept, but it’s not something that takes up much space in my thoughts right now,” he shared, valuing love and emotional connections over societal expectations.
Pride of the Bridgerton Family
The rest of the cast also responded playfully to the world’s sexiest man title. Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, joked, “It’s a family legacy.” Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise, joined in the fun: “Imagine—Jurassic Park, Wicked… dude, congrats on staying so fit!”
Bailey makes it a point to always support the younger cast members, ensuring there’s always room for new stories in the Bridgerton world, whether about love or funny moments.
The second half of Bridgerton’s 4th season premieres on Netflix on February 26, 2026, where we’ll once again see Anthony and Kate together—now with their child in tow.
