Features

Waitress West End transfer: dream casting

We pick thirteen people who we’d love to see as Jenna

Ben Hewis

London London's West End

21 August 2018

The original Broadway cast of Waitress — The original Broadway cast of *Waitress*
© Joan Marcus

So the news that everyone has been waiting for was finally announced today, Sara Bareilles' hit Broadway musical Waitress is finally coming to the West End.

They've yet to announce who will play lead character Jenna Hunterson, so we've listed 13 (a baker's dozen, of course) actresses for the role, just in case they need a hand choosing…

Katie Brayben

We're not saying that Brayben should just keep playing roles originated by Jessie Mueller, but she was so brilliant in Beautiful that we'd love to see her do some Carole baKing in Waitress.

Emma Kingston

She's just finished a world tour of Evita and if she got this part we'd be singing "Don't Cry For Me ArJennatina".

Alexia Khadime

It's been far too long since we saw Khadime on a West End stage, we'd back the Book of Mormon star to take the role, maybe "Tomorrow is a Batter Day".

Carly Bawden

In the brilliant Romantics Anonymous she turned her hand to making chocolate and we'd love to see Bawden show off her baking skills.

Savannah Stevenson

We think former Glinda Stevenson would be "Popular" in the kitchen. "What is This Feeling?" Hopefully not a soggy bottom…

Tori Allen Martin

Allen Martin is a mesmerising actress who recently starred in HR Haitch at the Union Theatre. It's a small theatre so not many people would have seen it, but "It Only Takes a Taste" to know she's going to be a big star!

Laura Pitt-Pulford

She's currently rehearsing for the revival Flowers for Mrs Harris, but we'd love to see her as Mrs Hunterson.

Miriam-Teak Lee

Winner of last year's Stage Debut Award, it would be great to see this Hamilton star in the diner where it happens.

Alice Fearn

The West End's current Elphaba would be Wicked in this role, we just hope the pies won't turn out green.

Cassidy Janson

Another former Carole King, Janson's also just starred in Chess at the Coliseum. Are the pies nearly ready? I don't know, checkmate.

Lucy St Louis

Most recently seen playing Diana Ross in Motown the Musical, maybe St Louis will "Reach Out and Touch" the "Pomatter Pie".

Rebecca Trehearn

This Olivier Award-winner is soon to star in Sweet Charity at Nottingham Playhouse, but we like to see her baking some sweet cookies in Waitress next year.