Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace are your new Lion King and Queen

Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace take over the roles of Simba and Nala in Disney’s hit this month — but these two talented young actors have already racked up some impressive credits.

Summary

• Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace recently starred opposite each other in American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre
• They are now playing Simba and Nala in The Lion King in the West End
• Their other credits include For Black Boys... and Burlesque The Musical

“The Lion King is a really simple story that everyone and anyone can connect to,” says Posi Morakinyo, who is the new star of the long-running West End musical, alongside Asha Parker-Wallace. The pair have been cast as the musical’s young furry friends-turned-romantic leads Simba and Nala in Julie Taymor’s visionary production, following a run together in the Almeida Theatre production of American Psycho. And they already have an impressive number of West End titles between them, including Burlesque The Musical, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy, Ain’t Too Proud, and Tina — The Tina Turner Musical.

Morakinyo and Parker-Wallace speak to London Theatre Magazine about the show’s incredible legacy, building chemistry, and their favourite number in The Lion King.

What was the audition process like for The Lion King?
Posi Morakinyo: It is unlike any other audition process I’ve been a part of. Asha and I, when we were working together [on American Psycho], she had the joyous news of saying “I’m playing Nala in The Lion King.” And Asha was the first person to tell me that there were auditions for Simba. I had an audition on the Wednesday, on the Friday I had my final with the UK team, and on the Sunday I was flown to Madrid to do an audition with the international team. In my final, Asha was reading as my Nala. And — fun fact — I auditioned for the show seven years ago. I was in Kuala Lumpur doing Madagascar The Musical and I couldn’t make it back for my final, so I had to pull out! Seven years later, here we are.

What’s it like going straight from American Psycho into The Lion King together?
Asha Parker-Wallace: When we met, we knew we were going to be good friends. We bounce off each other quite a lot. I’m so looking forward to working with him [again].
Morakinyo: I’m blushing!

Asha, you’ve had a crazy year after graduatingfrom ArtsEd in summer 2025 and then making your West End debut in Burlesque. How has it felt?
Parker-Wallace: It’s been a whirlwind. When I started in Burlesque, I was still finishing off my year at ArtsEd. I was going into rehearsals one day, and then had 8.30 ballet in the morning. When you’re training, your dream is to go into the West End, so I’m quite proud of myself.

Posi, you’ve also had some amazing gigs, starring in For Black Boys… and Tina — The Tina Turner Musical. Have there been any highlights?
Morakinyo: A really life-changing job was Madagascar The Musical. I left college early to do it, and in terms of introductions to the industry, it couldn’t have been better. Things like For Black Boys... changed my life on a personal level, Fear of 13 changed my view of the industry — I was working with an award-winning actor [Adrien Brody], who left the show to go and collect his second Oscar [for The Brutalist]! But Madagascar The Musical was my genesis, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Do you have a favourite number in the show?
Morakinyo: “One by One”.
Parker-Wallace: I was going to pick the same one!
Morakinyo: I said it first! [As an audience member], I was sat in the Royal Circle and there was a bird constantly flying over my head. I’m Nigerian and we have this clothing called asoebi, and the performers in the show are wearing something quite similar to that, so I feel like I’m at the opening to my auntie’s 50th birthday. Visually, stylistically, musically, it’s amazing.
Parker-Wallace: All of the music in this show really does make you feel, so it’d be really hard to just pick one or two!

Has the musical always been on your radar as a performer?
Morakinyo: To be honest, no! You hear about The Lion King and you think, “It’s dynasty, it’s legacy.” The royalty that has passed through the show. It’s surreal. What does it mean to be joining The Lion King?
Parker-Wallace: The Lion King is the first show a lot of people see — it was my first show and it really inspired me. It’s such an important story to tell about redemption. The musical shows that you can be struggling and in such a low place, but having the support of family and friends can help you get out of that situation.
Morakinyo: It means the world. This show is more than just a story. It feels like a rite of passage and an honour.

Book The Lion King tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

This article first appeared in the May 2026 issue of London Theatre Magazine.

Photo credit: Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace. (Photo by Perou). Inset: Almeida Theatre's American Psycho. (Courtesy of production)