From Borneo to Britain: Yong’s amazing Bridgerton ride

The Miri-born actor opens up about the challenges of breaking into the competitive international screen and stage industry.

In the United Kingdom, however, Yong found himself captivated by its vibrant theatre and musical scene. Before long, the stage began to call more strongly than the courtroom.

“I’ve been performing since I was young, so it was something I‘ve always loved to do,” the actor, 32, told FMT Lifestyle.

“I had applied to the bar to become a barrister, but at the same time I applied for drama school. Then I got into both! It was then I knew I had to take a leap of faith.”

He decided to pursue a master of arts in musical theatre from the Royal Academy of Music; and, since then, he’s built a promising screen and stage career.

Fans of the Netflix series “Bridgerton” may have spotted him in the show’s latest season, where he portrays Lord Barnaby, a suitor to the character Posy Li (Isabella Wei).

“Being on ‘Bridgerton’ was an amazing experience. I never thought I’d make it to one of the most popular shows in the world,” he said.

“I think this has been a wonderful season for Asian representation. I’m glad that there are so many amazing Asian actors, playing so many different parts on screen.”

The actor’s previous screen credits include the Apple TV+ show “Silo”, as well as films such as “Barbie” (2023) and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” (2025). He’s also played parts in theatre productions: “Spring Awakening”, “Assassins” and “The Tempest”.

In 2024, the actor took the lead in the stage musical “Your Lie In April”. The role proved highly demanding, requiring him to act, sing, dance, and play the piano live on stage – a challenge he met with aplomb.

According to him, building an acting career in the UK was far from easy, thanks to the industry’s intense competition.

“We go for so many auditions. So, so many! And we get rejected a lot. But all you can do is try your best. And you can go very long before hearing back from the people you apply to. You have to build up resilience in this business,” Yong reflected.

The actor described his “Bridgerton” experience as amazing: the show’s cast members were all kind and welcoming to him, given he was one of the newer faces on set.

He recalled Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson, who play Sophie Baek and Benedict Bridgerton, as being very down-to-earth, while Wei was a delight to work with. He especially enjoyed their dance rehearsals, given that both he and his partner share a background in dance.

One of his most memorable experiences on the show? Getting used to the highly lavish Regency-era costumes.

“The designers are amazing. The costumes they make look great on screen. But up close, in real life, you really see and admire all the amazing details that go into them,” he said.

“Wearing them was quite an experience! They have a lot of layers, so putting them on and off took some time.”

Will audiences see Yong in future seasons of “Bridgerton”? It’s hard to say – the actor doesn’t know what lies ahead for his character, but would love to return.

Yong, however, will definitely be seen in the next season of the TV series “Boarders”. The actor is also part of the London musical “American Psycho”, where he plays the character Luis Carruthers.

“I’d love to just keep on working, do more projects that challenge me. I hope to one day lead a film or television series,” he concluded.

“It’s always great to work alongside great talents, and learn from them. I think I’ve had some amazing opportunities so far, and I hope to always appreciate them, and never take anything for granted.”

Follow Zheng Xi Yong on Instagram.