Learn about all the West End performers in 'Wicked: For Good'

Catch up with the celebrated principals, such as Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo, and learn about the brilliant ensemble.

Summary

• Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as Elphaba and Glinda
• The supporting cast includes West End stalwarts Andy Nyman and Sharon D Clarke
• The ensemble comprises numerous West End alumni

Were you changed for the better by the first Wicked movie? We’ve had whole year to wait for the second instalment but patience is a virtue and perhaps we’ll all emerge sincerely changed for good! In Wicked: For Good, the thrillifying second part, Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship is severely tested as Elphaba becomes a hate figure for all of Oz, while Glinda takes the role of the people’s princess. Can their friendship survive, and what is in store for the future of Oz?

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are sure to demonstrate further megastar power as Elphaba and Glinda, with the dashing Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. There are also some new additions to the score and we can expect plenty more dazzling visual effects and production design.

You can read our guide to the theatre actors in the first instalment here. Read on to learn about what the principals have been up to since the first instalment was released and get to know the ensemble. It’s sure to be an extraordinary spectacle boosted by a truly swankified cast. Please note that this article may contain minor spoilers!

And if the films have inspired you to see Wicked in its original form, then book tickets to the stage show in London's West End on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Principals and named characters

Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba)

The phenomenally talented Erivo earned an Oscar nomination for her performance as Elphaba in the first instalment – perhaps a second nod will be forthcoming. In February 2026, Erivo returns to the West End to star in a solo adaptation of Dracula, written and directed by visionary theatremaker Kip Williams (The Picture of Dorian Gray). Other forthcoming film roles include the film version of Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie, which starred Jodie Comer on stage.

Ariana Grande (Glinda)

Grande recently hinted to The New York Times that she has a “stage-related” project in the works. Said Grande: “It’s not on Broadway, but it’s something that I’m very excited about and inspired by.” We are obsessulated with the prospect! Could she be hinting at the West End? What would be your dream stage project for the enchanting pop princess?

Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero)

Earlier this year, Bailey starred in the title role in Richard II at the Bridge Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner. LondonTheatre.co.uk’s reviewer observed that "Bailey reveals and revels in all facets of this magnetic king and as Hytner has said in multiple interviews, he speaks Shakespeare ‘as though it is his first language.’” He starred on the big screen in Jurassic World Rebirth this summer and he returns to Netflix favourite Bridgerton next spring.

Andy Nyman (Governor Thropp)

This year, Nyman was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance in Hello, Dolly! and he currently stars in the West End as Max Bialystock in The Producers. In a 5-star review, LondonTheatre.co.uk’s reviewer commented that “Cheekily played by Nyman, [Bialystock] is packed full of shameless tricks and bravado… [Nyman and Marc Antolin] form a double act you can’t keep your eyes off.”

Keala Settle (Miss Coddle)

Settle returns to the London stage in January to play Mary Todd Lincoln in John Ransom Phillips’s play Mrs President (yes, there will be two plays about Abraham Lincoln’s wife in London at the same time - Oh, Mary! being the other one). The play explores Mary’s relationship with photographer Mathew Brady – as Wicked shows, appearances are very important in politics.

Sharon D Clarke (voice of Dulcibear)

Dulcibear was a fascinating addition to the Wicked world and we look forward to hearing more from her. This year, Clarke was nominated for an Olivier for her performance as Lady Bracknell in *The Importance of Being Earnest* (the role is now taken by Stephen Fry in the West End).

Colman Domingo (Cowardly Lion)

The twice Oscar-nominated Domingo’s (centre in image) extensive theatre credits include playing himself in A Boy and His Soul at the Tricycle Theatre (now the Kiln) in 2013 and Mr Bones in Kander and Ebb's The Scottsboro Boys at the Young Vic and in the West End. His other musical theatre performances include Chicago, Passing Strange, and Guys and Dolls.

Alice Fearn (Glinda’s Momsie)

The former Elphaba recently completed touring in the Dear Evan Hansen tour, playing Heidi, the title character’s mother.

Courtney-Mae Briggs (Mrs Thropp)

Briggs, who plays the non-verbal role of the mother of Elphaba and Nessarose, most recently appeared on stage in Once on This Island at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Aaron Teoh (Avaric)

Teoh, who plays one of Glinda’s friends, has performed in But I’m a Cheerleader, The King and I, and is currently Alternate Engineer in the Miss Saigon tour.

Ensemble

Kerry Ellis

The first British Elphaba is expected to have a cameo in the film. The star of We Will Rock You, Oliver!, Anything Goes, and 101 Dalmatians – and musical partner of Queen’s Brian May – will tour the UK in concert show Gravity in 2026, alongside fellow former Elphabas Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker.

Bethany Weaver

We never see Dorothy in the stage version of Wicked but in the film, she is represented by Weaver, who choreographed the musical play Asmahan at the Peacock Theatre, and appeared in the ensembles of Rumi the Musical and Broken Wings.

Summer Strallen

Strallen most recently appeared on stage in the Royal Shakespeare Company musical The Magician’s Elephant. Her mother Cherida Langford had a cameo as the Shiz Librarian in the first instalment, and her sister Zizi Strallen currently plays Glinda at the Apollo Victoria.

Minal Patel

Patel’s musical theatre credits include Curtains, The Man of La Mancha, and Aspects of Love. He played Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady at the Leicester Curve last Christmas, where he shortly returns to play Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music.

Kirsty Anne Shaw

Shaw recently performed as a swing in the Rachel Zegler-led Evita at the London Palladium and she has also appeared in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and Sunset Boulevard.

Adam Pearce

Pearce’s credits include Love Never Dies, Urinetown, and The Prince of Egypt. He experienced a stroke backstage when appearing in Mandela at the Young Vic in 2022, and following his recovery, returned to the stage as the Bishop of Digne in Les Misérables.

Debbie Kurup

Kurup continues in her role as Standby Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada. This summer, she played Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt in the staged concert of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s musical Little Dancer at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Bea Ward

Ward is currently Alternate Kim in the touring production of Miss Saigon and she previously appeared in Bonnie and Clyde.

Dereke Oladele

Child actor Oladele has performed in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Rock of Ages on tour.

Ellis Sutherland

Child actor Sutherland has appeared in Bugsy Malone on tour and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium.

Vishal Soni

Child actor Soni has appeared in London in Les Misérables, The Witches, and The Prince of Egypt.

Gabriel Mokake

Mokake was recently in the ensemble of The Devil Wears Prada and previous credits include Hamilton, Frozen, and Dreamgirls.

Jonathan Bourne

Bourne’s credits include Rock of Ages, Nativity: The Musical, and Bronco Billy.

Malinda Parris

Parris currently plays Calliope, muse of epic poetry, in Hercules, and she is due to play Lettie Lutz in the world premiere of The Greatest Showman next year. Her previous credits include The Little Big Things, & Juliet, and Mary Poppins.

Marilyn Cutts

Cutts recently appeared in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and she is a former member of the comedy cabaret group Fascinating Aïda. She has played Madame Morrible in Wicked in the West End and on tour, and other shows include Crazy for You and Funny Girl.

Meesha Garbett

She hasn’t appeared in the West End, but Garbett went viral with her turn as “Red Beret Girl” in the Matilda movie and she is a world champion dancer and social media star. Perhaps a West End debut awaits!

Melissa Jacques

Jacques currently plays Suzanne in Live Aid musical Just for One Day and has previously appeared in Everyone’s Talking About Jamie Kinky Boots, and Mamma Mia! She is also a Wicked alumna, having played the Midwife and understudied Madame Morrible at the Apollo Victoria.

Tarik Frimpong

Frimpong has performed in A Strange Loop and The Drifters’ Girl, and next year will be a swing and resident choreographer on the Alexandra Burke-led I’m Every Woman – the Chaka Khan Musical.

Book tickets to Wicked in the West End on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo: Wicked: For Good logo. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures). Inset photos by Manuel Harlan, Matthew Murphy, Mark Senior, Matt Crockett, Marc Brenner