Jonathan Bailey Exits ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ After Ariana Grande
Jonathan Bailey has withdrawn from the planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, following the departure of his former Wicked co-star Ariana Grande.
Bailey confirmed his decision on September 1, 2026. His exit comes about a month after Grande announced that she would step back from the production while also taking a break from public-facing work.
The two actors had been expected to headline the Stephen Sondheim musical at London’s Barbican Centre in 2027. Their departures now leave the production’s casting and future uncertain.
Why Jonathan Bailey Left ‘Sunday in the Park with George’
Bailey explained his decision in a statement shared through social media.
The actor described Grande as one of his closest friends and said his support for her remains unwavering. He also praised the musical, calling it a project he had been deeply passionate about.
Bailey had been attached to play George, while Grande was announced as Dot. The roles are at the centre of the musical’s story, which explores art, relationships and the complicated connection between its central characters.
Rather than criticising the production, Bailey expressed his appreciation for the creative team and wished the company well.
He also highlighted director Marianne Elliott, describing her as a long-time collaborator and friend. Bailey previously worked with Elliott on the 2018 production of Company.
Ariana Grande Had Already Departed the Revival
Grande announced her own exit from Sunday in the Park with George in August.
Her representative said the singer planned to take a step back from visibility after completing her Eternal Sunshine tour. The decision followed what her representative described as ongoing public scrutiny.
The production team subsequently confirmed that Grande would no longer appear in the musical.
Grande later addressed the decision during a concert in Chicago. She explained that the choice was not sudden and had been planned well in advance.
She also stressed that taking a break and appreciating her professional achievements could both be true at the same time.
Bailey and Grande Were Set to Reunite After ‘Wicked’
The planned musical would have brought Bailey and Grande back together following their work in the Wicked film franchise.
Grande played Glinda, while Bailey portrayed Fiyero. Their performances made them one of the most recognisable pairings from the movie adaptation.
Their planned London reunion therefore attracted significant attention when the stage production was announced.
The two were confirmed to lead the new production in January 2026, with performances initially scheduled for summer 2027 at the Barbican Centre.
However, Grande’s departure in August changed those plans. Bailey’s decision to follow her out of the production now creates another major change for the revival.
What Happens to the 2027 Revival?
The future of Sunday in the Park with George is currently unclear.
Before Bailey’s departure, reports indicated that the production intended to continue with new casting following Grande’s exit. The musical had been targeting a 2027 opening at the Barbican.
However, BroadwayWorld reported after Bailey’s announcement that it was no longer clear whether the revival would proceed in its previously planned form.
That means audiences may have to wait for a new announcement regarding the production’s cast, schedule and eventual plans.
Ticket sales had already been delayed earlier in 2026. As of June, performances were still expected to begin at the Barbican in summer 2027.
What Is ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ About?
Sunday in the Park with George is a musical by Stephen Sondheim, with a book by James Lapine.
The story draws inspiration from French painter Georges Seurat and his famous work A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
The musical originally premiered on Broadway in 1984. It starred Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters and later won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985.
The production has also received several revivals, including a major London production and a Broadway revival starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford.
Jonathan Bailey’s and Ariana Grande’s Friendship Remains in Focus
Bailey’s statement made clear that his relationship with Grande was an important factor in how he viewed the situation.
However, he did not suggest that he was leaving because of a disagreement with the production.
Instead, his message focused on his friendship with Grande, his admiration for Elliott and his appreciation for the musical.
For now, the biggest unanswered question is what comes next for the revival.
With both originally announced leads now gone, the production will need to determine its next casting and scheduling steps before audiences can know whether the highly anticipated West End revival will reach the stage in its planned form.