Rent announces complete West End cast with new Mimi revealed

Full casting has been revealed for the new revival of Rent in the West End.

Jonathan Larson’s show follows a community living in New York City’s East Village as they navigate poverty, love, and the AIDS crisis in the early 1990s. Inspired by La Bohème, it premiered Off-Broadway in 1996 before transferring to Broadway, where it became a defining rock musical of its era, winning the Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Awards.

The “bold new production”, directed by WhatsOnStage and Olivier Award winner Luke Sheppard (who previously oversaw the five-star revival seen at the Hope Mill Theatre in 2020 and 2021, which has “inspired” this version), will run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 26 September 2026.

As already confirmed, Broadway and Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo will make his West End debut as Mark Cohen in the show, alongside Travis Ross as Roger, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny.

The previously announced Bella Brown has withdrawn from the revival, following an injury sustained prior to rehearsals. Alexa Lopez will take on the role of Mimi in her place.

Brown posted a statement on social media, saying: “This has been a devastating decision, but I have withdrawn from Rent. There is a large conversation to be had about vocal health/injuries and the shame surrounding them. I have withdrawn due to a current vocal injury and am in need of a good few weeks of recovery This outcome is the last thing I wanted.

“However, I feel it is the right choice to take some time out and heal. I am only human, and I want to be in this industry for the long run. I have had nothing but support from the Rent team in this decision. I am very lucky to have a wonderful support system from my agent to my vocal coach and my family and friends. They are holding me at this time. I wish the cast of Rent all the best with the show moving forward. I know it is going to be magnificent.”

The cast is completed by Baylie Carson, in the role of April, Laura Delany, Ryesha Higgs, Montoya Holloway-Johnson, Rhys Hopkins, Shem Omari James, Hannah Macpherson, TJ Matara-Holloway, Ryan Nixon, Leah Vassell, James Wilkinson-Jones and Kevin Yates.

Alongside Sheppard, the show has choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves, with set design by David Woodhead, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Howard Hudson, audio production and sound design by Paul Gatehouse, video design and cinematography by George Reeve and Nathan Amzi, make-up and hair design by Jackie Saundercock, UK casting by Pearson Casting and US Casting by Jim Carnahan.

The musical supervisor is Bill Sherman and the musical director and associate musical supervisor is Katy Richardson, the intimacy director is Asha Jennings-Grant, the associate director is Priya Patel Appleby and the dialect coach is Joe Trill.

Bookings for the show are currently available until Saturday 27 March 2027 at the newly rechristened Tom Stoppard Theatre. Matarazzo is currently scheduled to appear until 10 January 2027.