Jonathan Bailey is set to headline the upcoming romantic drama film Insomniac City alongside veteran actor Bill Nighy. Based on writer and photographer Bill Hayes' acclaimed 2017 memoir of the same name, the feature film will portray the real-life romance between Hayes and the legendary neurologist and author Oliver Sacks. In addition to starring in the central role, Bailey is officially attached to produce the project, which is being directed by Dominic Cooke.
The story follows Hayes as he relocates to New York City following the sudden death of his long-term partner. As he begins navigating grief and rebuilding his daily routine in Manhattan, he unexpectedly falls in love with both the energy of the metropolis and with Sacks, a celebrated medical mind nearly three decades his senior. Director Cooke co-wrote the screenplay directly with Hayes, bringing an authentic and deeply emotional perspective to the film's adaptation.
For Bailey, the role represents another major milestone in a career defined by critically acclaimed performances across screen and stage. The English actor captured global attention for his breakthrough role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix's hit period drama Bridgerton, a performance that earned him widespread international acclaim. He subsequently earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance in Showtime's historical drama miniseries Fellow Travelers alongside Matt Bomer.
Beyond television, Bailey's feature film footprint continues to expand rapidly. He recently completed production on the cycling thriller Pumping Black alongside Natalie Portman and starred in Universal's blockbuster adaptation of Wicked. His stage achievements are equally prominent, highlighted by a Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in the 2018 West End revival of the musical Company.
Insomniac City is currently being introduced to buyers at the American Film Market, where it is generating strong interest from international distributors. Production on the feature is slated to begin in New York City, marking a compelling cinematic showcase for Bailey as both a leading actor and creative producer.
