Six stars announced to share to role of Kind Herod at the London Palladium's Jesus Christ Superstar

Today sees a major casting update for the summer 2026 West End revival of Jesus Christ Superstar at the iconic London Palladium. In addition to the previously revealed lead, Sam Ryder, new high-profile names will alternate in the role of King Herod across the production’s 11-week run.

Today’s announcement confirms that six celebrated performers — Jesse Tyler Ferguson (20 June – 11 July), Sir Simon Russell Beale (13 – 25 July), Richard Armitage (27 July – 1 August), Boy George (3 – 15 August), Layton Williams (17 – 29 August) and Julian Clary (31 August – 5 September)— will each take turns portraying the famously flamboyant King Herod in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock musical this summer at the London Palladium. This follows the earlier casting revelation from November 2025 that Eurovision star Sam Ryder will make his West End debut as Jesus in the limited season running from 20 June to 5 September 2026.

The multi-cast Herod strategy offers audiences a chance to experience different interpretations of the character throughout the run. Director Tim Sheader, reuniting with members of the creative team from the Olivier-Award winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre staging, said: “All different but all fabulous, we are thrilled that these six artists will take a turn demanding Jesus walk across their swimming pool as the infamously camp but lethal King Herod. Choose to see any one of them and we promise, for a golden moment, they will stop this juggernaut of a show in its glitter filled tracks.”