All the West End actors in the 'Wicked' movie

The wonderful Wicked movie is filled with cameos from West End actors such as Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey – can you spot them all?

Jon M. Chu’s movie adaptation of beloved international musical phenomenon Wicked has gone down a storm (or should that be a tornado), becoming the highest grossing movie based on a Broadway musical of all time. Two of the leads, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey, started their careers in theatre (and pop sensation and acting newcomer Ariana Grande is also terrific – simply airiness personified). Not only was the film made locally at Sky Studios Elstree, Hertfordshire — much of the film's talent is homegrown too, with numerous cameos from West End actors.

Read our guide to the West End performers who appear in the film. Please note: this article contains spoilers!

And if the film has inspired you to see Wicked in its original home, then book tickets to the stage show in London's West End on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba)

This striking and phenomenally talented south London performer trained at RADA (of which she was made vice president in 2024) and made her West End debut in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in 2011, followed by lead roles in Sister Act, The Color Purple, I Can’t Sing: The X Factor Musical, and Dessa Rose. She made her film debut in 2018 in Bad Times at the El Royale, followed by Widows, Pinocchio, and Luther: The Fallen Sun. She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biopic Harriet. Upcoming projects include the film adaptation of Suzie Miller’s acclaimed play Prima Facie. Surely, her future is “unlimited!”

Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero)

The most eligible leading man of the moment, Jonathan Bailey began his career as a child actor. Among numerous theatre productions, including South Downs, The York Realist, and Cock, he won an Olivier for his role as the gender-switched Jamie (formerly Amy) in Marianne Elliott’s production of Sondheim’s Company. International stardom beckoned as eldest son and heir Anthony in Netflix’s Bridgerton. Coming soon is a change of pace in Shakespeare’s tragedy Richard II directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Bridge Theatre. Is there anything he can’t do?

Andy Nyman (Governor Thropp)

Playing the father of Elphaba (well, legally at least) and Nessarose, Andy Nyman is a regular screen fixture and the creator of long-running horror play Ghost Stories. He was nominated for an Olivier as Tevye in Fiddler in the Roof and this summer played Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium opposite Imelda Staunton. Nyman is also an accomplished magician. He currently stars as Max Bialystock in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s boutique production of The Producers.

Courtney-Mae Briggs (Melena Thropp)

Playing the mother of Elphaba and Nessarose, Courtney-Mae Briggs’s West End credits include Hamilton, Back to the Future, and Once on This Island.

Keala Settle (Miss Coddle)

The Greatest Showman's Keala Settle plays a new role added for the film – the ‘Head Shiz-tress’ (Madame Morrible, played by Michelle Yeoh, is more like a celebrity guest professor). As well as numerous Broadway credits, including creating the role of Becky in Waitress, Settle has performed in the West End in & Juliet and Sister Act. She most recently appeared in London in new musical Fly More Than You Fall at the Southwark Playhouse.

Alice Fearn (Glinda’s “Momsie”)

There’s a brief glimpse of this famous former West End Elphaba dropping her darling daughter off at Shiz in the family gondola. Also known for starring in Come From Away and as a concert artist, Fearn is currently touring the UK as the title character’s mother Heidi in Dear Evan Hansen.

Sharon D Clarke (voice of Dulcibear)

Sharon D Clarke voices new character Dulcibear, Elphaba’s nanny and the only one to show her kindness during her lonely childhood, further contextualising her empathy with animals. Hopefully we’ll see more of Dulcibear’s story in Part 2. Clarke’s exemplary stage career includes creating the roles of Rafiki in The Lion King, Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, and Oda Mae Brown in Ghost. She won Olivier Awards for The Amen Corner, Caroline, Or Change (also a Tony nomination), and Death of a Salesman. She received an MBE in 2017. She recently starred in Mr Loverman on TV, and is currently starring as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre. According to LondonTheatre.co.uk’s 5-star review, “It’s the imperious Sharon D Clarke who takes top honours. From her resplendent entrance in a gleaming yellow gown, hat the size of a satellite dish, and expertly wielded cane, she holds the stage with cool command”.

Cherida Langford (Shiz Librarian)

Former Cats performer Cherida Langford is also the sister of national treasure Bonnie Langford (soon to return to Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends) and mother of leading ladies Scarlett, Summer, Zizi, and Saskia Strallen. You can see Summer as the Munchkin greeted by Glinda as she descends the steps from her bubble.

Debbie Kurup (Winkie Mother)

The leading lady of Chicago, Anything Goes, The Cher Show, and more, Kurup is currently Vanessa Williams’s standby in The Devil Wears Prada and was recently seen in Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. There’s no doubt she’ll be sensational when she has her chance to step into Miranda Priestly’s red Louboutins.

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (Wiz-O-Mania Superstars)

Last but by no means least, the cameos that everyone has been waiting for: those from the OG Elphaba and Glinda. Idina Menzel also created the role of Maureen in Rent and voiced Elsa in the Frozen franchise, and kicked off the London production of Wicked. In 2025, she returns to Broadway in environmental musical Redwood. The operatically trained Chenoweth’s other Broadway credits include You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Apple Tree and On the Twentieth Century and TV appearances include The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, and Schmigadoon. It’s possible that a Broadway return is on the cards with The Queen of Versailles, following a try-out in Boston this summer. Chenoweth has yet to perform in a musical in the West End but has raised the roof in concert at the London Palladium.

Plus, it’s composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz himself as the Emerald City guard who proclaims, “The Wizard will see you now!” There’d be no show and no film without him!

And in Part 2…

Look out for appearances from celebrated Elphabas Kerry Ellis (the first British Elphaba) and Rachel Tucker, as well as Dianne Pilkington (the first British principal Glinda), Georgina Onuorah (who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium), and no doubt many more!

Book tickets to Wicked in the West End on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. (Image courtesy of Wicked movie)