In the glittering world of Bridgerton, where secrets and scandals of this fictional town are winning the hearts of the public, a fresh face is coming into the spotlight. Meet Victor Alli, the rising star set enchanting viewers as the enigmatic John Stirling in the show’s latest season. From a serendipitous start in his school detention to the opulent ballrooms of the ‘Ton, Victor’s journey is as captivating as the characters he brings to life.
For Victor, joining the cast of Bridgerton has truly been a transformative experience. Reflecting on this whirlwind journey, he expresses immense joy at being part of such a beloved show. “Being part of such a big and loved show like Bridgerton is incredible,” Victor enthuses. “Engaging with fans and discussing our characters and the show adds a whole new dimension to the experience. It’s different from anything I’ve done before.”
However, getting to Bridgerton wasn’t without its challenges. Victor vividly recalls the thrilling moment he learned he had landed the role of John, during the interval of a play he was performing in. “My agent asked if I was by myself, and I was like, ‘what’s going on? Why are you asking me that?’ And she said, ‘you got the part!'” Victor shared the news cautiously with close friends and family, navigating the secrecy required by Netflix and the show’s plot twists. “It was tough keeping it under wraps for almost two years,” he admits.
William Trousers Sampson Brown: Oliver Spencer
Dale Leather sandals: Greenson
Victor’s path to acting wasn’t the most conventional. In his own words, “I was naughty, I was quite mischievous in secondary school, I was like the class clown.” One day, while serving detention, fate intervened when the teacher, who was also directing a school play, asked him to step in for an absent actor. Reflecting on that moment, Victor recalls, “I grabbed the script and filled in. It just sort of happened, and I loved it.”
From there, Victor’s passion for acting only deepened. “After that experience, I started going to see plays,” he explains. “I stumbled upon the Brit School just a day before applications closed. I rushed to apply and was thrilled to be accepted.” Despite the commute from East London to Croydon, Victor describes his time at Brit School as “incredible,” where he immersed himself in Shakespeare, playwriting, and filmmaking.
Despite his rising fame, Victor remains remarkably grounded and unaffected by the whirlwind of celebrity attention. “I still feel the same as I did before, which is a good thing,” he reflects. “Life hasn’t changed drastically. I can still enjoy cycling down my favourite streets and visiting my go-to coffee shop without being recognised.”
Wool Mini Houndstooth Belgravia Trousers :Dunhill
Wool Mini Houndstooth Reversible Car Coat : Dunhill
Maintaining this down-to-earth perspective is crucial for Victor, especially given the fervent dedication of the show’s fan base. “Luke (Newton) warned me about how passionate Brazilian fans can be”, he laughs, “It’s fascinating to see their deep investment in the characters and storyline. They devour any information that comes out. Once, a picture of me on set was shared online, and somehow they managed to uncover my identity and personal details, like which school I attended. It was surreal.”
Despite the challenges of sudden fame, Victor finds fulfilment in portraying John, a beloved literary character. “Playing John has been incredibly rewarding,” he shares. “I’m thrilled that people are enjoying our storyline. The reception has been positive so far, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring this character to life.”
Victor is particularly excited about the evolving dynamics between John and Francesca in the upcoming season. “I’m excited for people to see the evolution of Francesca and John’s relationship. I think they will be excited to see the evolution as we are both quite shy and introverted. Someone said, ‘I love John and Fran, they are our perfect neurodivergent couple,’ and it’s interesting to hear people’s spin on our relationship.”
He finds the idea intriguing: “I think it is interesting as it’s the first I had heard of it, someone saying Francesca may be on the spectrum, and I don’t think the writers or Francesca were trying to play that. I think there are parts of that, in the character, she is really hyper focused on the piano and music, and she has a way of doing things, and does not like to be distracted. I guess people look at that and think she is on the spectrum. It is open to interpretation, and it’s nice that the writers have allowed the audience to interpret.”
Victor hints at deeper explorations of love and relationships, suggesting, “I think people can be excited to see the journey of John and Fran and how they navigate societal expectations, especially with Violet, to earn her trust in their relationship. It illustrates the diversity of love, relationships, and marriages. Sometimes it’s fiery, passionate, and intense, full of colour, while other times it’s gentle, tender, and soft.”
Victor is set to captivate audiences once again in Netflix’s upcoming season of Bridgerton, but fans may still have a long time to wait until it is released. Victor says: “We’re gearing up for another season. Filming, including prep time, spans about nine months of the year.”
So, it seems fans can expect to see even more of this talented actor, bringing depth and nuance to one of the series’ most anticipated storylines.
@victor_alli
Photographer
Mark Cant
Stylist
Sophie Paxton at Eighteen Management
Make-Up
Nathalie Eleni
Grooming
Ben Cooke at One Represents using Philip B
