Jonathan Bailey Withdraws From London Revival of ‘Sunday in the Park With George’

Jonathan Bailey has withdrawn from the upcoming London revival of “Sunday in the Park With George,” leaving producers to recast both leading roles following Ariana Grande’s departure from the production.

Bailey announced his decision in a statement shared on Instagram Stories on September 1. The “Wicked” and “Bridgerton” actor had been scheduled to play George opposite Grande as Dot when the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical opens at London’s Barbican Centre in summer 2027.

“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering,” Bailey wrote. He also praised director Marianne Elliott, calling her “extraordinary” and one of his longest-standing collaborators and friends.

“After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from ‘Sunday in the Park with George,’” Bailey said.

The actor did not provide a specific reason for withdrawing. His announcement came about a month after Grande left the production as part of her decision to step away from public-facing work following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

Bailey described the revival as a passion project and said he was eager to see what the actors who replace him and Grande will bring to the musical’s central roles. He also wished the company well and said he would continue supporting the production from the sidelines.

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Despite losing both of its originally announced stars, the revival remains scheduled to move forward. Producers said casting discussions are underway as the creative team rebuilds the company.

“Work on the production continues,” the production said in a statement, adding that the team is reshaping the show while maintaining the ambition and artistic integrity of Sondheim and Lapine’s work. Additional casting and production information will be released at a later date. 

The revival was announced in January with Bailey and Grande attached, setting up another collaboration between the two “Wicked” co-stars. Elliott remains attached to direct, while Tom Scutt is listed as the production’s designer.

“Sunday in the Park With George” features music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Lapine. Inspired by Georges Seurat’s painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” the musical examines the relationship between art, personal connection and sacrifice.

The show premiered on Broadway in 1984 with Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters and won the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It later returned to Broadway in 2008 and 2017, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford leading the latter production.

The musical was last staged in London beginning at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2005 before transferring to Wyndham’s Theatre the following year. That production earned five Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production.

For more information and additional details, theatergoers can visit SundayIntheParkMusical.com.