Six actors cast as King Herod in new Jesus Christ Superstar musical

23 Feb

Six celebrated performers have been cast in the role of King Herod in the new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Sam Ryder in the lead role.

The actors will share the part, each taking on the role of Herod in succession between 20 June and 5 September 2026.

20 June – 11 July: Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a Tony Award-winning actor, author, producer, and host, widely recognised for both his creative work and his advocacy within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ferguson recently made his West End debut in Stephen Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are at London’s National Theatre. He also helped reopen New York City’s Delacorte Theatre in Central Park with a celebrated production of Twelfth Night. For his performance as Mason Marzac in the Broadway revival of Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out, Ferguson won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play, alongside the Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama League Distinguished Performance nomination.

He currently produces and hosts the Sony Music Entertainment podcast Dinner’s on Me, now in its third season. His recent screen work includes Cocaine Bear, directed by Elizabeth Banks, while his scripted podcast Gay Pride & Prejudice was released exclusively on Spotify. Ferguson also produced the documentary Broadway Rising and served as executive producer on the BAFTA-winning, Emmy-nominated documentary Welcome to Chechnya.

Ferguson is best known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett in the Emmy Award-winning comedy Modern Family, which ran for 11 seasons and earned multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. His work on the series garnered five Emmy nominations.

13 July – 25 July: Sir Simon Russell Beale

Sir Simon Russell Beale was educated at St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School and Clifton College, Bristol. After graduating with a first-class degree in English from the University of Cambridge, he initially trained as an opera singer before turning to acting.

He began his theatre career at the Royal Court Theatre, later joining the Royal Shakespeare Company for eight years, followed by over two decades at the National Theatre. Internationally acclaimed, Beale has also appeared extensively in award-winning television and film and has presented numerous BBC programmes on classical music.

In 2019, he was knighted for services to the arts.

27 July – 1 August: Richard Armitage

Richard Armitage is a multi-award-winning stage and screen actor. Most recently, he reprised his role in ITV’s hit drama Red Eye. He is widely known for portraying Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy.

For Netflix, Armitage has starred in several global number-one series, including Fool Me Once, Missing You, Stay Close, and The Stranger, all adapted from Harlan Coben novels, as well as Obsession.

His film credits include Into the Storm, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Captain America: The First Avenger, Ocean’s 8, and independent features such as The Lodge and Brain on Fire. Television highlights include Spooks, Strike Back, Hannibal, Robin Hood, and North and South.

In 2015, he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor for The Crucible at The Old Vic.

3 August – 15 August: Boy George

Boy George is one of Britain’s most iconic pop culture figures. Rising to international fame as the frontman of Culture Club, the band achieved global success with hits including Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, selling over 150 million records worldwide.

Alongside his solo music career, Boy George has established himself as a DJ, fashion designer, actor, and cultural icon, remaining an influential presence in music and style.

17 August – 29 August: Layton Williams

Layton Williams is an acclaimed stage and screen performer celebrated for his standout roles in musical theatre, television, and dance. He has earned widespread praise for performances in productions including Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Cabaret, and Bad Education.

Williams is known for his dynamic stage presence, versatility, and vibrant performances.

31 August – 5 September: Julian Clary

Julian Clary is a beloved comedian, actor, presenter, and author whose career spans television, theatre, radio, and literature.

He first rose to prominence on the cabaret circuit before fronting Channel 4’s Sticky Moments. His extensive television credits include Have I Got News For You, QI, Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother, Taskmaster, and The Masked Singer.

His theatre work includes Cabaret, The Dresser, Taboo, Bleak Expectations, and notably King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar on a national tour.

Clary is also a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute and the author of multiple novels, memoirs, and the popular children’s series The Bolds.