Jonathan Bailey is reading a Wicked-themed CBeebies Bedtime Story
To celebrate the release of Wicked: For Good
Last updated 21st Nov 2025
Hot off the heels of being named PEOPLE's 2025 Sexiest Man Alive, heartthrob Jonathan Bailey is the latest famous name set to read a bedtime story on CBeebies.
In what is simply wonderful news for parents up and down the country, 37-year-old Jonathan will read Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Room on the Broom, as Wicked: For Good lands in cinemas.
The BBC say: 'Little ones (and parents) can snuggle up to enjoy the classic tale told by Jonathan, which sees a kind witch, her cat and some unexpected companions on a windswept adventure, celebrating teamwork, courage, and the joy of helping others. With its rhythm, warmth and mischievous humour, it’s the perfect story to cast a cosy spell over families at bedtime'.
Speaking about the story, Jonathan said: “Reading Room on the Broom felt properly magical. It’s one of those stories that casts a spell on you the moment you open the book. Julia Donaldson’s writing is full of rhythm, wit and charm and the message about kindness and coming together is pure gold.
"It’s a bedtime favourite in my nieces’ and nephews’ house, they love when Uncle Jonathan steps in to do the voices, and I never turn down adding a little sparkle to a performance! The story reminds us how important it is to have a good team around you, even if they arrive in unexpected, broom-crowding ways. I hope children (and grown-ups!) feel the magic too.”
When is it on TV?
CBeebies Bedtime Story is on each weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, inspiring the nation to read together and helping families with their daily bedtime routine.
Jonathan's episode will air on Friday 21st November.
Check out Jonathan Bailey's amazing career below:
2004: Five Children and It
At just 16-years-old Jonathan played Cyril in the movie adaption of Five Children and It, alongside Freddie Highmore, Alex Jennings, Tara Fitzgerald, Zoe Wanamaker, Eddie Izzard and Norman Wisdom.
The family fantasy is set in the summer of 1917 and follows five siblings who are evacuated from London in World War 1, before discovering a special 'sand fairy' on the beach.
Cyril, the oldest, is brave and intelligent, but a little bossy. On discovering he was played by none other than Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey, fans were quick to comment on social media, with one writing: 'A literal BABY. 🥺'
And another commenting: 'I'm always tickled that he gets to play the protective big brother so often ('Five Children and It', 'Me and Mrs Jones', 'Bridgerton') when irl he's the youngest of four.' (sic)
2013-2015: Broadchurch Series 1 and 2
You'd be forgiven for forgetting that the man we've come to know for huge roles in Bridgerton and Wicked actually appeared in the first two series of Broadchurch, back in 2013 and 2015. Playing local reporter, Olly Stevens, he helped cover the murder of Danny Latimer for the Broadchurch Echo.
In an interview with BAFTA in 2024, Jonathan said: "I look back on Broadchurch really fondly and also realise just what an amazing opportunity it was to be in such a brilliantly conceived and detailed drama, which included so many amazing actors."
2014: Doctor Who
In 2014, Jonathan played an augmented human called Psi in an episode of Doctor Who called Time Heist. The Doctor, played at the time by Peter Capaldi, recruited Psi — a self-confessed 'hacker/bank robber' — to bust in to the Bank of Karabraxos. Also in the episode were Keeley Hawes and Jenna Coleman.
Speaking in a episode of Doctor Who Extra, Jonathan spoke fondly of his time on the show: "It's hard work but it's so rewarding. Peter and Jenna have been so welcoming. Everyone's been great. Now that you're here, you don't really want to go."
2020-2024: Bridgerton
A role which took the actor's career to a new level and cemented him as TV's newest heartthrob, Bridgerton saw Jonathan don his finest breeches and mutton chops and bring viewers the regency romance they didn't know they needed!
In an interview with BAFTA in 2024, Jonathan attributed his role of Lord Anthony Bridgerton for getting him where he is today: "I auditioned for the duke, which is the Regé-Jean Page part and at the end of it they were like I think you might need to look at Anthony Bridgerton.
"The Netflix effect is wild! I look forward to supporting the rest of the family and the stories that go forward. If there's one thing I know about beloved worlds is that you want to see them through. And people invest their love and their time and it means so much to so many people. So me and Tony will be together for a while."
2023: Fellow Travelers
Starring alongside Magic Mike's Matt Bomer, Jonathan played gay rights activist Tim Loughlin in a historical romance thriller which aired on TV in 2023. Set in Washington DC 1950s, and moving through the 60s, 70s and 80s, Fellow Travelers follows the volatile romance of two men as they move through changing decades.
Speaking about the importance of taking on this role, Jonathan told NBC News: "There's a weight that comes to telling your own story or other people's story that are similar or shares elements of your identity."
In 2024, Jonathan received an Emmy Award nomination for his role — as well as winning a Critics Choice Award!
2024: Heartstopper
In 2024, Jonny Bailey joined the cast of Heartstopper for its third season, playing Jack Maddox — a famous classicist who Charlie has a soft spot for. The popular Netflix series gained a huge following after the success of the first and second series, so it's no surprise Jonathan was keen to join the cast.
He told Vanity Fair: "Like so many people I watched the first series and I just thought it was one of the biggest, most beautiful gifts to so many people. And I wished I'd had that growing up."
2024: Comic Relief The Traitors sketch
In a hilarious spoof for 2024's Red Nose Day, Jonathan took on the role of The Traitors' Harry Clark to raise funds for Comic Relief. He was joined by Suranne Jones, David Walliams, Catherine Tate and others to put on a mickey-taking sketch which had fans of the show in tears of laughter, according to social media.
2024: Wicked
In November 2024, we got to see Jonathan in action in the first instalment of Wicked. In it, Jonathan plays Fiyero; a charming and carefree prince who happens upon the university of Shiz and its magical students Elphaba and Glinda.
The second instalment in the movie franchise is due out in November 2025, so those who aren't familiar with the story already will have to wait until then to find out how his character progresses. We're sure it won't disappoint!
2025: Jurassic World: Rebirth
Released in July 2025, Jonathan starred in Jurassic World: Rebirth, which is the seventh instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise. Playing palaeontologist, Dr Henry Loomis, Jonathan stars alongside Scarlett Johansson, Rupert Friend and Mahershala Ali.
In an interview with Graham Norton, Jonathan said there were plenty of stunts involved in the role: "There's lots of harness work actually, for the character. I was sort of rigged up for a week, with the biggest wedgie!"
Jonathan appears as Prince Fiyero in Wicked, and recently revealed how he started to cry whilst watching For Good at the London premiere.
He told PEOPLE: "I was there with my family and all my school friends and my niece was there. I was just watching her sit there and she was just completely taking it in, and I started crying and I couldn't stop.
"Actors are only present for like 15 percent of making these extraordinary films, so when you think of Jon M. Chu and Marc Platt who has stuck with this for over 15 years, for me it's been three years That London premiere felt like a real release, and I'm just so proud that now everyone gets to go and experience it."
Wicked: For Good is out in cinemas now.
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