Six Stars to Share the Role of King Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 23 February, 2026, 11:21

Further casting has been announced for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium this summer. Joining Sam Ryder as Jesus for a strictly limited season from 20th June to 5th September 2026, six actors will be sharing the role of King Herod.

Artwork provided by production

Jesus Christ Superstar chronicles the last week of Jesus's life up until his crucifixion, tackling his relationships with Judas and Mary Magdalene, and exploring the complicated politics and emotional dynamics of the time. It first opened on Broadway in 1971, where it was nominated for 5 Tony Awards, and after 3,358 performances, became the longest running musical in West End history at the time. Its iconic rock opera score includes songs such as ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’, and the title number ‘Superstar’.

Eurovision singer-songwriter Sam Ryder will play Jesus Christ, while the role of King Herod will be shared by an all-star line-up of performers across different dates of the season:

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, a Tony Award-winning actor best known for playing Mitchell on the hit sitcom Modern Family, as well as Broadway roles in Take Me Out and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (20th June to 11th July)

Simon Russell Beale, winner of three Olivier Awads, two BAFTAS, one Tony Award, and a knighthood, best known for The Death of Stalin, Mary Queen of Scots, and The Choral (13th to 25th July,)

Richard Armitage, an Olivier Award-nominated actor best known for his film roles in The Hobbit trilogy, Fool Me Once, and Red Eye, as well as theatre roles in The Crucible and Uncle Vanya (27th July to 1st August)

Boy George, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and global pop icon, the frontman of Culture Club, and previously seen onstage as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway (3rd to 15th August)

Layton Williams, an Olivier Award-winning actor, singer, and dancer, best known for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Cabaret, and Titanique, as well as for being a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing (17th to 29th August)

Julian Clary, a comedian, actor, and presenter, who has starred in the London Palladium Panto for the past ten years (31st August to 5th September)

Director Tim Sheader 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.”