Paddington The Musical Announces New West End Cast for Second Year
Paddington The Musical has announced its new West End company as the award-winning musical prepares to celebrate its first birthday at the Savoy Theatre. The new cast will begin performances on 28 October 2026, taking the much-loved production into its second year in London.
The West End production of Paddington The Musical is welcoming a brand-new company this autumn, with Abbie Purvis and Hassan Taj sharing the role of Paddington on stage. Both performers will make their West End debuts in the production.
Joining them is Sonny Monaghan, who will make his West End debut as Young Man/Paddington, providing the character's voice and remote puppetry.
The new company also features Samantha Bingley as Lady Sloane, Alex Crandon as Hank the Pigeon, Linzi Hateley as Mrs Bird, Cassidy Janson as Millicent Clyde, Sandra Marvin as Tanya, Haydn Oakley as Mr Brown, Marc Pickering as Mr Curry and Charlotte Wakefield as Mrs Brown.
Two members of the current company will return, with Tarinn Callender reprising his role as Grant and Teddy Kempner returning as Mr Gruber.
The younger members of the company include Poppy Houghton and Francesca Ratcliffe, who will alternate as Judy Brown; Eddison Burch and Shayne Maphosa, alternating as Tony; and Charlie Dean, Arlo Drage, Oliver Goodman and Finn Leonard, who will alternate as Jonathan Brown. Freya Rose joins the company as Standby Paddington on Stage Performer.
The new company begins performances at the Savoy Theatre on 28 October 2026. The production is currently booking through 13 February 2028.
An award-winning West End hit
Paddington The Musical is based on Michael Bond's much-loved Paddington books and the award-winning 2014 film. The stage adaptation features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale, with direction by Luke Sheppard.
The musical follows the story of a small, lost bear from Peru who arrives in London searching for a new home. After meeting the Brown family, Paddington finds himself at the heart of Windsor Gardens – but his new life is soon disrupted by a mysterious and determined villain.
The production has enjoyed a remarkable first year in the West End, winning seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Director, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. It also won nine WhatsOnStage Awards.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley welcomed the new company as the production enters its second year, describing it as a privilege to bring Paddington to the stage and celebrating the way audiences have embraced the iconic bear.
The West End production is also preparing for its next major chapter, with a Broadway production scheduled to open at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in March 2027.
With its new company arriving in October, Paddington The Musical looks set to continue its West End adventure while introducing a new generation of performers to one of Britain's most recognisable characters.
