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Jonathan Bailey says it's hard 'not to laugh' while shooting 'Bridgerton' sex scenes


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Jonathan Bailey attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Aliah Anderson/Getty Images)

When the corsets come off, and the cameras roll, laughter (not lust) is often the hardest thing to control on the "Bridgerton" set.

Jonathan Bailey attends Netflix's "Bridgerton" Season 3 World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Jonathan Bailey attends Netflix's "Bridgerton" Season 3 World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Jonathan Bailey has revealed that filming sex scenes for the hit Netflix series is far less glamorous than fans might imagine. The 37-year-old actor, who reprises his role as Anthony Bridgerton in the upcoming fourth season of the hit period drama, says intimate moments on set can feel awkward, despite their steamy on-screen reputation.

Bailey says he finds it hard "not to laugh" while shooting sex scenes.

Jonathan Bailey attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Aliah Anderson/Getty Images)
Jonathan Bailey attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Aliah Anderson/Getty Images)

The actor explained that while romance is a major talking point for viewers, the cast is far more energized by emotionally driven scenes. He told Britain's OK! Magazine, “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."

Although Bailey memorably appeared in a raunchy scene just minutes into the very first episode of “Bridgerton,” he’s clear about his boundaries and won’t film intimate moments unless they serve the story.

"I'm not a fan of, 'Lets get our kit off because we have a scene to film.’ It's got to mean something," he added.

Jonathan Bailey attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" - Seoul press conference on July 01, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Jonathan Bailey attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" - Seoul press conference on July 01, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Off-screen, Bailey continues to take fame in his stride. After being named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive last year, he admitted the honor still makes him chuckle.

He said, "But at the same time very flattering. I mean who wouldn't be flattered?"

The "Fellow Travelers" star credits his six nieces and nephews with keeping him grounded, and recently opened up about family plans, explaining why starting a family of his own isn’t a priority right now.

"There’s obviously loads of kids that could really benefit from love and support," he told the outlet. "I have the absolute privilege of being a gay man — there’s no biological clock. It’s such a privilege, isn’t it, to even be able to have a kid? So, I’m aware of it as an idea, as a concept, but it doesn’t feel very loud in my head at the moment."