‘Wicked” star Jonathan Bailey has announced that he will be stepping down from his role in the upcoming West End revival of “Sunday in the Park With George.” Notably, this comes after the show’s other lead, Ariana Grande, announced her exit roughly one month ago. Now, the question becomes: will the show go on after the two major exits?
Bailey took to Instagram Stories to announce that he would no longer be starring in the planned production of “Sunday In the Park With George.” He did so by first referencing Grande’s exit from the show, noting their deep bond after they appeared in both “Wicked” films.
He stated, “Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering.” After that, he mentioned the show’s director, Marianne Elliott, writing, “Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends. After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.”
The “Bridgerton” actor continued, “This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team. 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 team, and the two actors who will now take on these roles, will create with it.”
The ‘Wicked’ Star Wished The Production Well
Currently, the West End revival of “Sunday in the Park With George” is set to debut in Summer 2027 at the Barbican Centre in London. However, now that both of its leads have exited, it’s unclear whether this will still happen or whether the show will need to be postponed or canceled altogether.
Still, Bailey offered kind thoughts to the production. He said, “I wish the very best to the entire company with what will no doubt be an incredible production, and I will be cheering them on as they continue this journey.”
Ariana Grande Announced Her Exit In Early August
Grande and Bailey were first announced to lead “Sunday in the Park With George” in January 2026. After this, both expressed excitement about reuniting following the success of “Wicked.” However, following the release of her latest album and the continuation of her tour, Grande’s representative revealed she’d be stepping down from the role on August 2.
The statement, per “Good Morning America,” began, “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.”
It continued, “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
The statement then said, “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Jonathan Bailey Recently Discussed His Upcoming Projects
Before exiting “Sunday in the Park With George,” Bailey spoke to Esquire about his upcoming projects, including a Netflix film, “Monsanto,” set for release in 2027. The actor shared, “When I read the ‘Monsanto’ script, I was thinking a lot about how you can show up with meaning and find something that takes you out of your life again. I love legal dramas, and the story itself is extraordinary.”
In discussing his co-stars, he said, “It’s got an amazing cast, and John Lee Hancock, who directed, tells the story so clearly and succinctly.”
Additionally, he spoke about the play, saying, “And then I’ll be back onstage again next year, in ‘Sunday in the Park with George.’ So I feel very, very excited and sort of recalibrated. It’s been a great time.”
The Actor Is Expected To Appear In ‘Bridgerton’ Season 5
“Bridgerton” remains one of Netflix’s most popular original series, with Bailey having appeared alongside the cast since season one despite being in fewer episodes during season four. Production, which takes place in the United Kingdom, began in March 2026 and is expected to conclude in October. Bailey is expected to return for the upcoming season.
It’s unclear when the series will return; beyond that, it will arrive sometime in 2027.
