Get to know the cast of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

The much-anticipated revival of the legendary musical at the London Palladium this summer features a star-studded cast.

Summary

• Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at the London Palladium this summer
• The legendary rock opera will be led by Eurovision star Sam Ryder
• Tyrone Huntley and David Thaxton reprise their roles from the Regent's Park production
• The company also features Boy George and Jesse Tyler Ferguson

We’ve got heaven on our minds as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar hits the West End for a major revival. This summer’s London Palladium production is directed by Timothy Sheader, who previously helmed a ground-breaking version of the show at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Sheader is reuniting with designer Tom Scutt and choreographer Drew McOnie. Their production also features a company teeming with exciting talent, including Eurovision legend Sam Ryder, who performed "Gethsemane" live on Britain's Got Talent on 16 May. The new recording of the song is now available to listen to on all streaming platforms.

Get to know the lead cast, including plenty of familiar West End faces, ahead of your trip to this iconic show about the final days of Jesus's life.

Book Jesus Christ Superstar tickets at the London Palladium on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Book Jesus Christ Superstar tickets at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Sam Ryder

Ryder is playing Jesus. He became a household name thanks to his incredible performance representing the UK at Eurovision in 2022, singing the hit song “Space Man”. Ryder then released a chart-topping album, There’s Nothing But Space, Man!, and was nominated for a Brit Award. He is making an exciting West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tyrone Huntley

Huntley is reprising the role of Judas Iscariot, which he previously played to great acclaim at Regent’s Park; he was nominated for an Olivier Award. His numerous other West End shows include the musicals Dreamgirls, Memphis, The Book of Mormon, and Hello, Dolly!. He also played Simon Zealotes in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.

Desmonda Cathabel

Cathabel is playing Mary Magdalene. Her previous work includes playing Eurydice in Hadestown in the West End, Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin, and Alternate Kim in Miss Saigon, and performing in the tribute concert Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. She was also a quarter-finalist on TV talent contest Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.

David Thaxton

Thaxton is reprising the role of Pontius Pilate from Regent’s Park. The West End leading man has appeared in a host of shows, including Les Misérables, Passion, Love Never Dies, The Phantom of the Opera, Come From Away, and he played Max von Mayerling in Jamie Lloyd’s smash-hit revival of Sunset Boulevard alongside Nicole Scherzinger.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

The American actor is one of six performers alternating in the role of King Herod. He is Emmy nominated for sitcom Modern Family, and won a Tony Award for the Broadway play Take Me Out. His other work includes The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Producers, and, at the National Theatre, Stephen Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are.

Simon Russell Beale

Beale is also playing King Herod. The acclaimed actor, who has won three Olivier Awards and a Tony, has starred in shows such as The Lehman Trilogy, Jumpers, Hamlet, Candide, London Assurance, King Lear, and Spamalot. He has also appeared in films like The Death of Stalin and Operation Mincemeat, and TV series including House of the Dragon.

Richard Armitage

Armitage is another fascinating choice to play Herod. He is well known for screen projects like The Hobbit, North & South, Spooks, Hannibal, and Fool Me Once. He is also a talented stage actor, appearing in Macbeth for the RSC, and playing John Proctor in The Crucible at the Old Vic, and Astrov in Uncle Vanya in the West End.

Boy George

The legendary pop star, Ivor Novello winner and former lead singer of band Culture Club is also giving us his King Herod. His hit singles include “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” and “Karma Chameleon”, and he wrote and starred in the stage musical Taboo. Boy George also recently played Harold Zidler in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Layton Williams

Williams is another exciting Herod in this starry revival. He won an Olivier Award for West End musical Titanique (and is Tony-nominated for the same role on Broadway), and his other stage work includes Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, RENT, Billy Elliot, and Cabaret. His screen projects include Bad Education, I Kissed a Boy, and I Hate Suzie, and he was a finalist in the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Julian Clary

The popular comedian, presenter and performer is our final must-see Herod. Clary shot to fame as a fearless stand-up, and has since appeared on countless TV shows, including Taskmaster, QI and Have I Got News for You. On stage, he starred in Taboo and Cabaret in the West End, and he is the lynchpin of the annual London Palladium pantomimes.

Book Jesus Christ Superstar tickets at the London Palladium on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Book Jesus Christ Superstar tickets at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: The performers in Jesus Christ Superstar (Photos courtesy of production, photo of Sam Ryder by Jack Robinson)