After a remark about focusing on his charity sparked headlines that he’d quit, Bailey said an “unfortunate misquote” caused a ripple effect. He clarified to Esquire U.K. that he won’t be out of work for all of 2026 and expects to return to acting next year.
Alongside screen plans, Bailey recently led Richard II at London’s Bridge Theatre and returned to Bridgerton for season four. He’s also involved with The Shameless Fund, using brand partnerships to support LGBTQ+ advocacy — noting the sector faces serious challenges and praising collaborators’ expertise.