Glenn Close to Play King Herod in London Jesus Christ Superstar

Three-time Tony Award winner Glenn Close will be the final actor to play King Herod in the West End revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The production, starring Sam Ryder as Jesus, has just completed a sold-out summer run at The London Palladium. It will transfer to Theatre Royal Drury Lane from October 16 through January 9, 2027, before embarking on a UK tour in February.

Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar follows the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, as told from Judas’s perspective. The musical features songs including “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” and “Superstar.” The show began as a concept album before opening on Broadway in 1971. The original London production ran for more than eight years and closed after 3,358 performances.

The role of King Herod will be shared by a series of guest performers: Matt Bomer will play the role October 16-31, followed by Rob Brydon November 2-7, Reece Shearsmith November 9-14 , Bob The Drag Queen November 16-21 , Michael Ball from November 23 through December 5, Simon Russell Beale December 7-12, Omid Djalili December 14-19, and Layton Williams from December 21 through January 2.

Close will play the role of Herod from January 4-9. The actor famously played Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, and her memorable screen roles include Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons, Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians, and Patty Hewes in Damages.

Also in the cast, Tyrone Huntley will play Judas six performances a week, with Matty J performing as an alternate Judas on Thursdays. Matty J will also continue to play Annas at other performances. Eric Lewis will play Simon.

The full cast also includes Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene, David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate, Bob Harms as Caiaphas, Phil King as Peter, and Matthew Harvey as standby Jesus.

The company also includes Koko Alexandra, Jasmine Jules Andrews, Courtney Arango, Amy Barker, Alistair Beattie, Daniel Bowskill, Jahlil M Burke, Martha Burton, Marcelo Cervone, Sarah Freer, Sebastian Goffin, Alexander Kranz, Owen Lloyd, Milo McCarthy, Dan Moore, Cherece Richards, Kyle Richardson, Olivia Saunders, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Charley Warburton, and Lillie-Pearl Wildman.

Directed Tim Sheader, the production features choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt. The creative team also includes musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and makeup designers Sam Cox and Maria Johal, fight director Kate Waters, and casting directors Grindrod Burton Casting.

The production is based on the 2016 staging at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which was also directed by Sheader, choreographed by McOnie, and designed by Scutt.

Following the London run, the production starring Ryder will tour the UK starting February 11, 2027, with further casting to be announced.