Samantha Barks returns to West End production of LES MISERABLES

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 22 April, 2026, 12:46

Samantha Barks will be returning to the role of Fantine in the West End production of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre, for eight performances only, prior to joining the star-studded cast of the Les Miserables Arena World Tour.

Samantha Barks as Fantine in LES MISERABLES. Photo provided by production.

Les Miserables

Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Miserables, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in the West End last year, is based on the epic 1862 novel by French novelist Victor Hugo. Jean Valjean, imprisoned for petty theft, is released from prison and seeks a second chance at life by adopting Cosette, the orphaned daughter of a prostitute. Years later, in Paris, Cosette falls in love with the young revolutionary Marius, whose group of friends plan to move against the oppressive state in what will be known as the Paris Uprising. Meanwhile, Valjean’s parole officer, Inspector Javert, is hot on his tail, convinced he hasn’t truly reformed.

The longest running musical in the West End, Les Miserables has won over 270 major awards around the world, including 5 Olivier Awards (including a special recognition award in April 2025), 8 Tony Awards, 5 Helpmann Awards, and more recently Best West End Show at the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards.

Samantha Barks

Samantha Barks was first discovered by Cameron Mackintosh in the I’d Do Anything TV search to play Nancy in his West End production of Oliver! She went on to play the role of Éponine in the West End and the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at the O2 Arena and played Nancy in the UK Tour of Oliver!. She has since been seen in Pretty Woman on Broadway, Frozen in London and most recently the world premiere of The Greatest Showman. She also played Eponine in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of Les Miserables.

She now returns as Fantine at the Sondheim Theatre for only eight performances from 18 to 23 May 2026, before joining the Les Misérables: Arena Concert Spectacular at Birmingham Utilita Arena, London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

Barks said, "I always wanted to return one day as Fantine, and it feels even more meaningful in this chapter of my life as a mother."

The cast

The rest of the West End cast consists of Ian McIntosh as ‘Jean Valjean’, Sam Oladeinde as ‘Javert’, Harry Hepple as ‘Thénardier’, Lizzie Bea as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Thiago Phillip Felizardo as ‘Marius’, Izzi Levine as ‘Cosette’, Jess Folley as ‘Éponine’ and Joe Griffiths-Brown as ‘Enjolras’. Martha Kirby will continue to play ‘Fantine’ from 25 May.

Les Miserables is now booking until March 2027.

Les Miserables Tickets