idris elba

He’s known for raising temperatures on risque period drama Bridgerton and as it returns for a fourth season, Jonathan Bailey lifts the lid on those raunchy sex scenes

Bridgerton heartthrob Jonathan Bailey has spilled on the show’s infamous sex scenes, saying he finds it “hard not to laugh” while filming them. The saucy period drama returns at the end of this month for its fourth season, with Bailey reprising his role as Anthony Bridgerton.

He said: “I know the sex scenes have been a hot topic, but as a cast we get more excited by other scenes which require in-depth emotions.

“I know the sex scenes look glamorous, but on set with cameras, tens of people, intimacy coordinators and everything else – it actually feels a bit silly and it’s incredibly hard not to laugh.”

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The 37 year old has had his fair share of on-screen romps – his first just three minutes into Bridgerton’s first ever episode – but he’s keen to make sure there’s always a reason behind the steam. “I’m not a fan of, ‘Lets get our kit off because we have a scene to film,’” he explained. “It’s got to mean something.”

The next season of the show – the first part landing on Netflix January 29 – focuses on Anthony’s younger brother Benedict (Luke Thompson) who falls for maid Sophie (Yerin Ha) after meeting at a masquerade ball in a fairytale storyline resembling Cinderella. “It isn’t a slow start,” Bailey revealed. “I can’t wait for fans to see the first episode – it really starts off with a bang.”

As well as his part in the runaway success of Bridgerton, it’s fair to say Jonathan is having a bit of a moment. Last year he followed in the footsteps of Idris Elba and David Beckham to become People’s Sexiest Man Alive – something he finds “hilarious.” “But at the same time very flattering,” the Oxfordshire born actor added. “I mean who wouldn’t be flattered?”

His win came off the back of his stellar performances in Hollywood blockbusters Jurassic World Rebirth and the Wicked franchise. The second instalment of the latter, ‘Wicked For Good’, may have received mixed reviews and been snubbed in the latest Oscars noms, but it certainly sky-rocketed Bailey to worldwide fame.

“It was a dream role, and an experience I will never forget,” he said of the film. “We all had the best time, and even though it’s over, I am eternally grateful that, in Ariana [Grande] and Cynthia [Erivo], I have made friends for life.”

In his personal life, the fiercely private actor revealed in 2023 he was dating a “lovely man”, but his current relationship status is unknown. Offering an insight into his life away from the cameras, he did say he keeps “grounded” by his six nieces and nephews.

“When I get to do what the world views as ‘normal things’ like read them a story or build Lego with them – I don’t think they have any idea how happy they make me.”

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The actor was left with a very short time in which to respond to the invitation to be honoured, from King Charles

Idris Elba has told how he nearly missed his chance of a knighthood – because the letter asking him if he wasn’t to be a Sir got lost in a pile of letters.

Revealing how the honour almost passed him by, the Luther star said: “It’s a bit embarrassing. I was sent a consideration letter asking whether I would or wouldn’t accept it, but I didn’t see it as it got lost in a pile of post.”

Luckily, word went to his management that he’d had the invitation and needed to respond. “My agent told me that if I didn’t accept it would pass me by,” he tells Graham Norton on tonight’s BBC1 chat show. “By the time I found the letter I had only two days to decide.”

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Idris, who found fame in huge US series The Wire, said he had yet to receive his knighthood, which was announced in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours list.

Despite his long career on the screen, he was honoured for his anti knife crime work through the Elba Hope Foundation, which focuses on empowering youth and providing alternatives to violence. “I got it for services to young people and I was thinking, ‘Hang on a minute, that’s great, but I’ve been acting for 30 years!’ It is actually a great honour, and my mum is so pleased.”

And another family member is also delighted. Idris has told how wife Sabrina is already using her new title of ‘Lady’. “I haven’t had the sword on the shoulder yet, but my wife is loving it.”

At the time he said the honour reflected the efforts of the young people he has worked with rather than his own achievements. “I receive this honour on behalf of the many young people whose talent, ambition and resilience has driven the work of the Elba Hope Foundation,” he said.

“I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.”

He has also called for greater accountability from the technology companies behind social media, warning about young people’s exposure to violent content online.

“When it comes to big tech, there needs to be accountability within their own policies,” he said last year. “It’s great that they are big companies that make a lot of money with lots of social media followers, that’s fantastic, but by the way we don’t like knives.”

The second series of his hostage thriller Hijack was released on Apple TV this week, with the action this time taking place on a train rather than a plane. Asked about his role as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson he said: “The first season was a big hit and people bought into so we’re going to do it again. The story is about what happens next after the plane hijack. It’s a good old-fashioned thriller.”

Also on Graham’s sofa tonight – fresh from her latest win alongside Stephen Graham for Adolescence at the Golden Globes – was Erin Doherty. Chatting about the second run of Victorian drama A Thousand Blows on Disney + – in which she also stars alongside Graham, she told Norton it was the first time she’d been able to use her own voice for a role.

Erin explained: “Surprisingly I’ve never been able to use it before, so it was a real joy. When Stephen Graham heard I was being considered for the role he said, ‘I don’t think she is what we are looking for’ because he had only seen and heard me as Princess Anne in The Crown. He was delighted to find out I’m from Crawley.”

Other guests in tonight’s show are actors Wunmi Mosaku and Martin Freeman and there is a musical performance from Olivia Dean.

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