Jonathan Bailey says everyone over 40 should be forced to watch ‘Heartstopper’

Jonathan Bailey calls ‘Heartstopper’ essential viewing for those over 40, reflecting on its impact and LGBTQ+ stories.

Actor Jonathan Bailey, celebrated for his roles in Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers, has called for Heartstopper to be mandatory viewing for those over 40. Speaking to Vanity Fair, the 36-year-old actor praised the Netflix series for its ability to evoke “catharsis” and “melancholic nostalgia” for experiences that might have been.

Bailey, who portrays Jack Maddox, an admired academic in the queer drama, said, “Everyone above the age of 40 should be forced to watch it.” He revealed he was “so moved” by the earlier seasons and Alice Oseman’s graphic novels that he sought out the role in the upcoming third season. The series has been widely acclaimed for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters and offering queer stories often absent in mainstream romantic comedies.

Bailey commended the cast for their thoughtful representation of their own experiences, adding, “I think they’re brilliant… grounded and thoughtful and kind and compassionate in their answers.”

In a 2022 interview with GQ, Bailey reflected on the challenges he faced before coming out publicly, recalling how industry prejudice initially led him to conceal his sexuality. “All it takes is for one of those people in that position of power to say that, and it ripples through,” he shared. He later decided, “I’d much prefer to hold my boyfriend’s hand in public…than getting a part.”

Bailey also dedicated his Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in Fellow Travelers to the LGBTQ+ community, saying, “To all the people who lost their lives and loves in the ’80s and ’90s…this is for you.”