The upcoming West End production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s masterpiece Sunday in the Park with George is entering a new creative phase following the departure of its lead actor. Jonathan Bailey has officially stepped down from playing pointillist painter George Seurat in the anticipated 2027 staging at London’s Barbican Centre.
The announcement comes short on the heels of his co-star Ariana Grande’s departure from the production earlier this summer, where she was slated to perform the dual roles of Dot and Marie under the direction of Marianne Elliott.
Taking to his personal social channels, the 38-year-old Bridgerton star shared a heartfelt tribute to the material, his director, and his friend:
“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends. After much consideration, I have decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George… Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the two actors who will now take on these roles will create with it.”
The production’s official team confirmed that while losing two marquee leads requires a swift pivot in planning, the ambitious revival remains actively in motion. In a public statement, producers shared that casting discussions are actively underway to reshape the company while preserving the artistic integrity of the musical.
Sunday in the Park with George remains one of the most revered titles in modern musical theater, made famous by original Broadway stars Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters in 1984, and revitalized in recent years by Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford. Producers expect to share updated casting details for the Barbican run in the coming months.
