Current Season Shocks In Les Misérables London Cast
Les Misérables London cast current season - what's new
The current London Les Misérables company at the Sondheim Theatre features a core leading ensemble led by Ian McIntosh as Jean Valjean, Sam Oladeinde as Javert, and Thiago Phillip Felizardo as Marius, with Izzi Levine as Cosette and a rotating headliner for Fantine; through the first half of 2026 this includes Lucie Jones in the Fantine role until April and a refreshed Thénardier and Madame Thénardier pairing as Harry Hepple and Lizzie Bea step into the parts from 2 February 2026.
In the current season configuration, the show is running in its fifth decade on the West End, with the Sondheim Theatre now booking performances into March 2026 and a new cast announced for 2025-2026 that will carry the production through both the 40th-anniversary celebrations and the standard run beyond.
Who is in the current London cast?
The principal leads for the current season of Les Misérables in London are:
- Jean Valjean - Ian McIntosh, who has anchored the role since the 2025-2026 new cast announcement and continues through the first half of 2026.
- Javert - Sam Oladeinde, whose portrayal of the morally rigid inspector has been highlighted as a key draw of the present company.
- Marius - Thiago Phillip Felizardo, stepping into the revolutionary student role as part of the 2025-2026 ensemble.
- Cosette - Izzi Levine, regularly cited in official cast listings for the Sondheim run.
- Enjolras - Joe Griffiths-Brown, who leads the student revolutionaries in the current company.
The Fantine role is currently held by Lucie Jones, who returned to the show for a limited run from 19 January to 11 April 2026, bringing star power from her Wicked background and previous Les Misérables experience. In the nonlinear "birthday cast" window (8 September to 1 November 2025), a special anniversary ensemble replaced the standard principals, but the current season post-October 2025 reverts to this core lineup while still within the 40th-anniversary celebratory framing.
Thénardier and Éponine changes in 2026
One of the most notable shifts for the current season is the change in the Thénardier and Madame Thénardier roles. From 2 February 2026, Harry Hepple (known for Hamilton and Hello, Dolly!) takes over Thénardier, replacing Adam Gillen, while Lizzie Bea (from Sister Act and Hairspray) becomes the new Madame Thénardier, succeeding Claire Machin.
The role of Éponine is now played by Jess Folley (originator of Ali Rose in Burlesque: The Musical), who replaces Amena El-kindy in the current season configuration announced in January 2026. This reshuffle marks the third major principal change-set since the 2025 summer relaunch, reflecting the production's strategy of rotating high-profile performers into signature roles while keeping Jean Valjean and Javert comparatively stable.
Supporting and ensemble structure
The current London Les Misérables company is supported by a full ensemble whose names are regularly listed in press releases and theatre-site cast pages, including Hollie Aires, Aidan Banyard, Ella May Carter, Nicholas Carter, Matthew Dale, Irfan Damani, Lily De-La-Haye or Lila Falce-Bass depending on specific listings, Sophie-May Feek, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Seán Keany, Chris Kiely, Sam Kipling, Mia Lamb, Sarah Lark, Ollie Llewelyn-Williams, Matthew McConnell, Aaron-Jade Morgan, Adam Pearce, William Pennington, Jordan Simon Pollard, Lewis Renninson, Danielle Rose, Georgia Tapp, Noah Thallon, Imaan Victoria, and Danny Whelan.
Child roles are often double-cast or rotated; for example, in recent iterations of the current season the role of Gavroche has been shared among several young performers, while Little Cosette and Young Éponine rotate between multiple children to manage school-show schedules and equity contracts. Under the current rehearsal regime, the ensemble company rehearses weekly call-back sessions to maintain vocal stamina and staging precision, especially given the show's 2 hour 45 minutes runtime and the need for consistent barricade choreography.
Season timeline and booking window
The current season of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre extends the West End run into at least March 2026, tied to the 40th-anniversary framework and the 2025-2026 cast announcements. The show's run has already spanned more than 14,000 performances over five decades, with the Sondheim Theatre now the show's longest-serving home after earlier tenancies at the Palace and other West End venues.
Key dates shaping the current season include:
- 7 July 2025: New company commences performances at the Sondheim Theatre, introducing McIntosh, Oladeinde, Felizardo, and others to the London run.
- 8 September-1 November 2025: "Birthday cast" special 40th-anniversary season, temporarily replacing the standard principals.
- 2 February 2026: Harry Hepple, Lizzie Bea, and Jess Folley join as Thénardier, Madame Thénardier, and Éponine, marking the current season configuration.
- 19 January-11 April 2026: Lucie Jones' Fantine run, which slots into the middle of the 2026 season.
Principal casting table (current season)
| Role | Current performer (London 2026) | Start date in current season | Variant notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Valjean | Ian McIntosh | 7 July 2025 | Lead anchor role across the entire 2025-2026 season |
| Javert | Sam Oladeinde | 7 July 2025 | No change announced for 2026 season window |
| Fantine | Lucie Jones | 19 January 2026 | Limiting run until 11 April 2026 |
| Marius | Thiago Phillip Felizardo | 7 July 2025 | Has continued into the 2026 season |
| Cosette | Izzi Levine | 7 July 2025 | Stable principal in current company |
| Enjolras | Joe Griffiths-Brown | 7 July 2025 | Revolutionary leader in the ensemble |
| Thénardier | Harry Hepple | 2 February 2026 | Replaces Adam Gillen in 2026 |
| Madame Thénardier | Lizzie Bea | 2 February 2026 | Replaces Claire Machin |
| Éponine | Jess Folley | 2 February 2026 | Replaces Amena El-kindy |
This table reflects the situation as of February-April 2026; producers typically announce any further changes 6-12 weeks ahead of understudy or replacement debuts, in line with standard West End casting practice.
Everything you need to know about Current Season Shocks In Les Miserables London Cast
Is the current Les Misérables London cast permanent?
No, the current Les Misérables London cast is not permanent; Cameron Mackintosh's production regularly rotates principal performers while keeping the ensemble relatively stable, with Lucie Jones' Fantine run explicitly advertised as a limited-engagement stint through April 2026. Such rotations are common in long-running West End shows, as they refresh audience interest and allow leading actors to balance other projects while maintaining contractual minimums.
How different is the current cast from the 2025 summer lineup?
The current season cast differs from the July 2025 rollout mainly in the Thénardier, Madame Thénardier, Fantine, and Éponine roles, while Jean Valjean, Javert, Marius, Enjolras, and Cosette remain unchanged. The 2026 changes add Lucie Jones, Harry Hepple, Lizzie Bea, and Jess Folley, whereas the 2025 summer iteration featured Adam Gillen, Claire Machin, Katie Hall, and Amena El-kindy in those positions.
Where is Les Misérables playing in London right now?
Les Misérables is currently playing at the Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End, the same venue that has housed the musical since its 2019 transfer from the Palace Theatre. The theatre's address is 51 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6BA, and it is served by nearby tube stations including Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road.
Can I buy tickets for the current principal cast?
Yes; tickets for the current season of Les Misérables in London are available through official box-office channels and major ticketing platforms, with performance dates extending into at least March 2026. Ticket-listing sites often flag specific dates featuring Lucie Jones as Fantine or the new Thénardier-Madame Thénardier pairing, so checking the "cast" or "show information" tab on retailer pages will show which dates align with the current season principals.
Are understudies listed for the current London cast?
Understudies for the current Les Misérables London company are listed in the Sondheim Theatre programme and on the official website, but the named principals (such as Ian McIntosh or Sam Oladeinde) remain the official casting for the season even when understudies cover performances. West End practice typically rotates understudies every 1-2 weeks, and these alternates are often senior ensemble members who also perform in the barricade and ensemble scenes.
How long has this current cast been performing?
The core of the current London cast has been in place since 7 July 2025, when the 2025-2026 company took over at the Sondheim Theatre, making this ensemble roughly 10 months into the run as of May 2026. The 40th-anniversary "birthday cast" temporarily replaced principals for about eight weeks in autumn 2025, but the underlying company structure and ensemble remained consistent, so the current season feels like a continuation of that same long-term Les Misérables company.