Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey: From Unknown Comedy Gems to Superstars

Prior to gaining prominence with their roles in the blockbuster 2024 film \”Wicked,\” this pair of co-stars was featured in an obscure British comedy.

A far cry away from the musical production that made its way onto the stage at the Oscars, Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo can be seen playing smaller comedic roles in Chewing Gum. Making its debut in 2015, the sitcom is a BAFTA-winning show, born from the mind of Michaela Coel.

The lead character in the series, Tracey, is portrayed by Michaela as a London store owner she also created and penned the show for. An interesting fact known to fewer viewers is that Cynthia Erivo, currently aged 38, has a small role in the initial season, playing Tracey’s somber childhood companion.

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When queried in a recent interview,
interview
Seasoned commented on the unexpected prior crossover involving the two actors, stating, \”It seems like it slipped our minds altogether,\” adding, \”We probably didn’t realize the link at first… but it’s pretty awesome that here we are now and things have come full circle.\”

\”Chewing Gum\” delves into the topics of racial identity and growing up as a young Black woman in London. These issues create significant resonance among audiences and also lead to numerous humorous scenes, such as the one featuring Jonathan Bailey.

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Rotten Tomatoes
The review states: \”This show is utterly hilarious! For those who haven’t watched it yet but enjoy laughing heartily, I highly recommend giving it a try. Michaela Coel is an exceptional comedian whose facial expressions greatly enhance the comedic effect. It’s genuinely a humorous series—don’t overlook it.\”

The Bridgerton star made a more notable impression in the series, having concurrently featured in Channel 4’s \”Crashing\” with Phoebe Waller-Bridge. In the show\’s second episode of season two, he portrays Ash—a successful but socially inept love interest for Tracy—who is 36 years old.

He says he has ‘never been with a Black woman,’ but this turns out to be false when his former partner and their kids interrupt them. Following this revelation, Tracy labels Bailey’s character as “the oddest White guy I’ve ever encountered” and deliberately spills red liquid onto his costly white couch.

A critique of the second series stated: “Fresh and amusing. It blends bawdy comedy with engaging characters and hilariously funny scenarios.” Another reviewer commented: “Michaela Coel once again demonstrates her remarkable talent, as does the entire ensemble cast. However, personally, I found the first season offered greater fulfillment through the development of certain character dynamics.”

The lead actors from \”Wicked\” boast both theatrical expertise and television credentials, aiding their casting as Elphaba and Prince Fiyero in the movie version of \”Wicked.\” Erivo gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Elphaba, earning acclaim not only as a talented performer but also securing herself an Oscar nomination. Following their performances in \”Wicked,\” these performers have risen to prominence within popular culture.

You can catch both of their initial performances in \”Chewing Gum,\” which you can stream now on Netflix.