Wicked star Cynthia Erivo lands a HUGE new job on London's West End - and she's set to play another legendary villain
The actress, 38, recently starred opposite Ariana Grande in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked as Elphaba.
Now, she will sink her teeth into the role of Dracula and 22 other roles in a one-actor adaptation of Bram Stoker's gothic novel.
The play is adapted and directed by Kip Williams following his award-winning version of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, which starred Sarah Snook.
Dracula originally premiered in Australia back in 2024 and will make its international debut at London's Noel Coward Theatre in February 2026.
This isn't be Cynthia's first stint on the West End, having made her debut in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg back in 2011.
However, it was her Broadway debut as Celie in The Colour Purple (2015-2017) that saw her win a Tony.
Speaking about her upcoming roles, the actress said: 'Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I've been craving for a long time.
'To do so with a story as rich, complex, and haunting as DRACULA offers a beautiful opportunity to delve into character, into myth, and into the heart of what makes us human.
'From the moment I was asked, I could not get the role out of my mind. Kip's vision is thrilling, terrifying, and deeply resonant, offering a chance to sit with not only the darkness in the world, but also the light we fight to hold onto.
'It's a rare gift for an actor to inhabit so many voices and perspectives in one piece, and I'm honoured to do it for West End audiences in this extraordinary production.
'The prospect of doing this show scares me and I know it will be a huge challenge. This show will ask everything of me — and I'm ready to give it.'
Meanwhile, director Kip said: 'I am thrilled to be returning to the West End to direct my adaptation of Bram Stoker's DRACULA and to collaborate with the extraordinary Cynthia Erivo, as she brings to life the many iconic characters of this much-adored tale.
'Our production expands upon Stoker's exploration of the tension between fear and desire, offering a contemporary perspective on the vampire as a monster that lurks not beyond, but within.
'I am excited to reunite with many of my Dorian Gray collaborators on this project, and it is an immense privilege to have such a singularly gifted artist as Cynthia at the heart of it.
'I can't wait to share this piece with London audiences, especially in the West End, a place where Bram spent so much of his creative life.'
Cynthia was reportedly approached about the role during the promotional tour for Wicked nine months ago.
In March, she attended the Broadway premiere of The Picture of Dorian Gray and is understood to have spoken with Sarah her performance.
Michael Cassel, co-producing the West End run with Adam Kenwright, told Deadline: '[Cynthia] has really spent most of her time with Kip just talking through the inspiration and the dramaturgy of it all.
'For them to connect in that way has been important for them because this is a show that they go and create together.'
The original Sydney production will not 'be a blueprint' for the West End version.
However, Michael added that it's very 'appealing to Cynthia to put her own interpretation on the role and explore that with Kip.'
While the West End play is not a musical, fans of Wicked will be delighted to know that there is one original song near the end of the show, by composer Clemence Williams.
Tickets for DRACULA will go on sale later in the year, with details and waitlist available at www.draculawestend.com.
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