Six Stars to Share King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at The London Palladium
Published on 23 February 2026
Six stars will share the role of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar when Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock musical returns to the London Palladium for a strictly limited season from Saturday 20 June to Saturday 5 September 2026. Joining the previously announced Sam Ryder as Jesus, the production brings an all-star line-up to one of the West End’s most famous stages.
King Herod will be played by:
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson – 20 June – 11 July
- Simon Russell Beale – 13 – 25 July
- Richard Armitage – 27 July – 1 August
- Boy George – 3 – 15 August (not performing 8 August)
- Layton Williams – 17 – 29 August
- Julian Clary – 31 August – 5 September
Directed by Tim Sheader, this staging reunites the creative team behind the celebrated 2016 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production. The musical charts the final days of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Judas, set to a legendary rock score featuring ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’.
The six Herods bring together acclaimed names from stage and screen: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Tony Award-winner for Take Me Out and Emmy-nominated star of Modern Family; Simon Russell Beale, a multi-award-winning actor of stage and screen; Richard Armitage, known internationally for The Hobbit trilogy; Boy George, Grammy Award-winning frontman of Culture Club; Layton Williams, Olivier Award-winner for Titanique; and Julian Clary, celebrated comedian and returning Herod following the recent UK tour.
By Hay Brunsdon
I've over 15 years of writing and editorial experience, and starting working in the West End theatre industry in 2012. When not watching or writing about theatre I'm usually swimming, hiking, running, or training for triathlons in the Stroud valleys.