Jonathan Bailey exits West End 'Sunday in the Park with George'
Jonathan Bailey has stepped back from the West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George at London's Barbican, producers confirmed on September 1, 2026. The Bridgerton and Wicked star follows co-lead Ariana Grande, who withdrew last month. Casting is underway as the team reshapes the Stephen Sondheim musical ahead of its planned 2027 opening.
Bailey announced his exit in an Instagram story after Grande's departure. The sunday the park with George revival now needs new leads for George and Dot, one of London's most closely watched musical comebacks.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Bailey withdrew from Sunday in the Park with George on September 1, 2026, weeks after Ariana Grande exited the Barbican revival.
- Producers say work continues, with active casting discussions to preserve the show's artistic ambition for a 2027 opening.
- Tony and Olivier winner Marianne Elliott remains attached to direct the Pulitzer Prize-winning Sondheim and Lapine musical.
- The production has not had a major London staging in nearly two decades.
- Ticket sales had been paused pending Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour finale at the O2 Arena on September 1.
Why Did Jonathan Bailey Leave Sunday in the Park with George?
In his statement, Bailey called the musical a "real passion project" but said that "after much consideration" he had decided to step back. He expressed unwavering support for Grande, calling her "one of my dearest friends," and praised director Marianne Elliott as "extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends."
Bailey did not cite a specific reason beyond his decision to follow Grande's exit. Deadline reported that Grande left amid "ongoing public scrutiny," and sources indicated Bailey's departure came shortly afterward.
He wished the company well and said he looked forward to seeing "what the team, and the two actors who will now take on these roles, will create with it."
What Are Producers Saying About the Revival?
Empire Street Productions and the Barbican Centre confirmed the revival last winter with Bailey and Grande attached for a summer 2027 opening. Following both withdrawals, the production team issued a clear statement: "Work on the production continues."
According to WhatsOnStage, producers said casting discussions are actively underway and the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the ambition and artistic integrity of the musical. Further casting and production details will be announced in due course.
Deadline noted that producers had held off on ticket sales until after Grande's tour concluded at London's O2 Arena on September 1.
What Is Sunday in the Park with George?
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical draws inspiration from Georges Seurat's painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The story follows George, a fictionalized Seurat, as he creates his masterpiece, and his great-grandson a century later as he wrestles with creative burnout.
The Barbican production will be directed by Marianne Elliott, who previously collaborated with Bailey on Cock and Company. Set design comes from Tom Scutt, whose recent work on another Sondheim musical, Into the Woods, earned wide acclaim.
London Theatre noted the show has not received a major London production in almost two decades, making this revival a significant cultural event regardless of casting changes.
What Happens Next for the West End Show?
With both originally announced leads now gone, the future of the star-driven revival remains uncertain at the box-office level. Producers have committed to moving forward, but new casting for the central pairing of George and Dot has not been revealed.
Last December, Deadline first reported that Grande and Bailey were considering re-teaming on the project after their success in Wicked. That reunion will not happen on this stage, but the production team insists the show will go on.
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