Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson talks tackling a “provocative” classic for the BBC – and its parallels with Benedict

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Even after over 136 years, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray continues to captivate readers and feels surprisingly modern.

Late-Victorian Gothic stories often explore society’s focus on youth and physical attractiveness. This is exemplified in the tale of a central character who becomes fixated on his own appearance after having his portrait painted.

Dorian makes a deal to stay young and beautiful while a portrait ages and reflects his inner corruption. As the portrait decays, showing the consequences of his cruel actions, he descends into madness.

I’m really excited about the new BBC adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray! It’s a story that’s been told many times before, but this version will be narrated by Luke Thompson, who I loved in Bridgerton, so I’m definitely tuning in.

The actor shared with TopMob what initially drew him to the role and if he noticed any similarities between the character he played and Benedict Bridgerton.

What drew you to The Picture of Dorian Gray for The Read?

I’ve always wondered why certain stories endure. I came across this book, and even after 140 years, it still manages to be thought-provoking, disturbing, and exciting for readers. Sometimes, if reading feels difficult, hearing the story aloud can really make it come alive – it almost feels like being a child again.

Would you ever want to star in an adaptation of the novel?

Look, let me be clear: I care about this work. It’s not a stepping stone for anyone, and honestly, the thought of watching someone treat it like a rehearsal just… bothers me. I want dedication, not someone just finding their feet.

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What makes The Picture of Dorian Gray remain relevant, and what does it tell us about society now?

It feels like we live in a time where everyone is quick to judge what’s right and wrong. We often think we’ve become more open-minded than previous generations, but maybe we’ve just found new ways to be judgmental. This story explores a challenging idea: what if beauty is more important than morality? It’s a radical thought, considering how focused we are on justifying everything – on what’s practical, healthy, or worthwhile – and how uncomfortable we are with beauty that simply is. We tend to dismiss it as shallow. Perhaps we struggle with the fact that beauty doesn’t need a reason, that it’s deeply meaningful, and maybe even more so than moral principles. This thriller really pushes that idea to the extreme.

Now that season 4 of Bridgerton is available, have you noticed any similarities between the show and the story of Dorian Gray, especially regarding the character of Benedict?

Luke: The two stories are quite different, but I’d say Benedict is naturally indecisive and easily led by others. He seems to be motivated more by what he finds beautiful than by a strong sense of right and wrong.

You can watch ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Read with Luke Thompson’ on BBC Four and iPlayer starting Sunday, March 22nd at 9pm.

Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before joining TopMob, she worked as a TV writer for Digital Spy and a content writer for Mumsnet. She has a degree and a postgraduate diploma in English Studies.

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2026-03-22 13:04