What is a viscount, and how did Anthony Bridgerton become one? Exploring his storyline as Jonathan Bailey is named People’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive

While Jonathan Bailey has always been a charming English lad, the actor certainly turned up the heat with his Anthony Bridgerton character in Netflix's steamy romantic series.

Jonathan Bailey first appeared as the Viscount in the series' "debutante" season in 2020, and he finally became the leading man of his love story in Season 2 opposite Simone Ashley. (Recently crowned) People Magazine’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive knows a thing or two about Regency-period glow-up, and the actor was practically unrecognizable as Viscount Anthony in Bridgerton Season 2 (we know, it was the side locks). As the world celebrates this (very deserving) title with the actor, let's have a look at his breakthrough character from Bridgerton.

The time was March 2022 when Jonathan Bailey was making the rounds (as Anthony) on the Internet. Viscount Anthony took pop culture by storm. But what is a Viscount? The title was reserved for nobility in the Regency Era and was used to refer to an individual's social standing.

More on this in our story.

Exploring the meaning and history behind Anthony Bridgerton's 'Viscount' title

While one can describe Jonathan Bailey's perfect portrayal of Viscount Anthony all day, let's get to the topic at hand. What does a Viscount mean? The official Wikipedia definition of the word is as follows:

''A title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status.''

Since Bridgerton is set in England, it makes sense for the series to introduce the term Viscount, as it was a popular noble title. The title Viscount ranks fourth in the hierarchy of the British peerage system. It ranks above a baron but below an earl, carefully placed between the two, while the top two positions are held by the Duke (Number 1) and the Marquess (Number 2).

Since a Duke is placed at the top of the tier, it makes sense why Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, was the most eligible bachelor in London, who eventually married Anthony's sister Daphne in Season 1.

How did Jonathan Bailey's character become a Viscount in the Netflix series?

Interestingly, initially, Viscount was not a hereditary title and was given to people in judicial roles. But as Regency era society transformed, the Viscount evolved into a hereditary title. As seen with Anthony Bridgerton, he inherited the Viscount title upon his father Edmund's tragic death, making him the head of the family and the sole caretaker of his mother and many siblings.

After Viscount Edmund was fatally stung by a bee in 1803, Anthony became the 9th Viscount Bridgerton, proving that the title is hereditary in the series' universe. While Anthony duly rose to his duty and took his seven siblings under his wing, he struggled to find the perfect balance between his individual ambitions and his duty as a Viscount.

These conflicts came to a head in Bridgerton Season 2, when Anthony falls in love with Kate Sharma, the sister of his bequeathed, Edwina Sharma. However, the sophomore season concluded with a happy ending for the Viscount, who married Kate in the finale, making her the Viscountess of the titular family.

Discussing his new People Magazine’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive title and popularity post the success of the Netflix series, Jonathan Bailey told the outlet:

“I had the radio set for my alarm, and one morning it went off with, ‘Here’s the news at 7. But just before we go, can we talk about Jonathan Bailey?' I was like, ‘Where is my journal? Is this real?’ It was wild.”

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