Wicked's Jonathan Bailey reveals he was very conscious of his sexuality after playing a straight character and says making Heartstopper made him “nostalgic for what could have been.”

Jonathan Bailey has revealed he was very conscious of his sexuality after playing a straight character in Netflix hit Bridgerton.

The 36-year-old actor, who is openly gay, explained that the media attention that the famous show brought brought his sexuality into the spotlight.

Jonathan added that he felt very strange after his personal life became part of the show's promotion.

The “Wicked” star compared his experience on “Bridgerton” to working on “Heartstopper,” which he said he found cathartic because he played a gay character.

The Crashing actor told Vanity Fair: “Doing Bridgerton – it's funny what comes with doing a lot of press work and suddenly people want to know a lot about you, and of course everyone does Others demand a lot from you.” Industry that doesn’t need to be talked about.

The actor, who is openly gay, explained that the media attention that the famous show brought brought his sexuality into the spotlight

“So I was very aware of the complexities and nuances of what I thought about being a gay man, let alone a gay actor, and suddenly I found success in playing a straight role and talking about it. “

Jonathan went on to talk about how much he loved “Heartstopper” and the graphic novel it's based on, revealing that he “got hooked” on the role.

However, he added that it changed his perspective on growing up as a gay man.

He said: “Heartstopper seems to allow people to feel catharsis and feel a kind of melancholic nostalgia for what might have been. 'I felt all those things anyway.'

Jonathan went on to say he was amazed by the cast and the way they spoke about their own experiences.

He added that he wished he could have talked about his feelings when he was younger and that he thinks everyone over 40 should watch the show.

The Broadchurch actor's confession came after fans admired him during the Sydney premiere of his latest film Wicked.

After posing alongside his Wicked costars in Australia, he sent the internet into a frenzy and captivated fans around the world with his muscular legs.

Jonathan explained that he was keenly aware of the complexities and nuances of his role on the hit Netflix show “as a gay man, let alone a gay actor.”

The Broadchurch actor's confession came after fans admired him during the Sydney premiere of his latest film Wicked

The Bridgerton actor was in Sydney on Tuesday morning promoting the upcoming musical blockbuster with fellow cast members Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo when the photos quickly went viral.

Wearing tiny black shorts and a black long-sleeve shirt, Jonathan immediately drew attention to his muscular legs as he posed alongside Cynthia and Ariana, who opted for green and pink dresses, respectively.

And fans just couldn't take their eyes off Jonathan's bulging legs and rushed to express their thirst on social media.

One went to X and said: “I'll tell you what's EVIL – my thoughts about Jonathan Bailey's legs.”

“How are you anyway – what training is he doing? RIP Mike from Angelo, you would have loved him.”

Another wrote: “I want, no need to wrap Jonathan Bailey's legs around me.”

A third added: “Leave it to Jonathan Bailey to create a welcome, well-timed distraction from… well, everything by posing in short shorts.”

“Sorry, all I can see in this picture is Jonathan Bailey's legs. 'Oh wow!!' said a fourth.

Jonathan plays Elphaba's lover Fiyero Tigelaar in the two-part musical prequel to the legendary Wizard of Oz (pictured with Ariana Grande).

The film is about an unlikely friendship that develops between Elphaba (Cynthia) and Glinda (Ariana), two clashing witches in the magical land of Oz

A fifth post wrote: “Jonathan Bailey is welcome to wrap his legs around my neck like a python.”

Jonathan plays Elphaba's lover Fiyero Tigelaar in the two-part musical prequel to the legendary Wizard of Oz.

The epic fantasy film is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 book, which was adapted into a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical in 2003.

Directed by Jon M. Chu and set at a staggering $145 million budget, “Wicked” is split into two feature-length films, with the final chapter scheduled for November 2025.

Critics are already calling Wicked: Part One a “masterpiece” that “pops and enchants on the big screen” as audiences are welcomed into the fantastical world of Oz.

The film's leads, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who play the witches Glinda and Elphaba respectively, are receiving high praise for their stunning singing and on-screen chemistry.

The film is about an unlikely friendship that develops between Elphaba (Cynthia) and Glinda (Ariana), two clashing witches in the magical land of Oz.

Elphaba is unfairly portrayed as an evil witch as she attempts to expose the deceitful, corrupt wizard who rules the land.

Wicked is the origin story of “a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West” and serves as a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz.”

The story explores the previous friendship between characters Elphaba and Glinda many years before Dorothy's arrival.

The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James and Peter Dinklage.