Glenn Close lands surprise Jesus Christ Superstar role for final week

Glenn Close is making a surprise return to the West End, joining Sam Ryder for the final week of Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The Fatal Attraction and 101 Dalmatians star will take over as Herod from 4 to 9 January 2027, making her the final celebrity to play the role during the show's extended London season.

Nine stars will share one role

Close joins an unusually starry Herod line-up beginning with Matt Bomer from 16 October. Rob Brydon, Reece Shearsmith, Bob The Drag Queen, Michael Ball, Simon Russell Beale, Omid Djalili and Layton Williams will then rotate through the role before Close brings the London run to an end.

Sam Ryder continues as Jesus, alongside Tyrone Huntley as Judas, Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene and David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate.

Close may be internationally famous for her screen work, but she has considerable musical theatre history too. She won a Tony Award for playing Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard before later returning to the role in London and on Broadway.

Her casting therefore brings her back to another Lloyd Webber musical, although this time audiences only have six performances days in which to catch her.

The current production previously enjoyed a sell-out season at the London Palladium and begins its 12-week Drury Lane run on 16 October. After Close closes the London season on 9 January, the production heads on a UK tour from February 2027.

Jesus Christ Superstar runs at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027.