Rob Brydon is a Welsh actor, comedian, impressionist and presenter best known for playing Bryn West in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, and for hosting the long-running panel show Would I Lie to You? since 2009.
Brydon was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2013 for services to comedy and broadcasting, and has more recently starred as Sugar Daddy Ken in Barbie in 2023.
He will take on the role of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar for one week (2 – 7 November 2026) when the production transfers to Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Rob Brydon in Jesus Christ Superstar
Brydon will play King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 2 to 7 November 2026, as part of a rotating line-up of eight guest stars taking on the role across the show’s 12-week season at the venue.
The other guest Herods sharing the role over the course of the run are Matt Bomer, Reece Shearsmith, Bob The Drag Queen, Michael Ball, Simon Russell Beale, Omid Djalili and Layton Williams, with one further guest still to be announced for the final week of performances.
Brydon will join musician Sam Ryder, who reprises the role of Jesus from the production’s summer season at the London Palladium, alongside Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene, David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate, Bob Harms as Caiaphas, Matty J as Annas and Phil King as Peter.
This production of Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt, and reunites the creative team behind the acclaimed 2016 production a decade on.
About Rob Brydon
Brydon trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama before spending much of the 1980s and ‘90s working in radio and voiceover. He first came to wider attention with the black comedy series Human Remains in 2000, followed by the mockumentary Marion and Geoff, the chat-show spoof The Keith Barret Show, and the sitcom Supernova.
Brydon has frequently collaborated with Steve Coogan under director Michael Winterbottom, beginning with 24 Hour Party People in 2002 and continuing through A Cock and Bull Story and the Trip film series, which the pair have returned to across four instalments between 2010 and 2020.
His film credits include Cinderella, The Huntsman: Winter’s War and Barbie, alongside voice work on several Julia Donaldson adaptations including The Gruffalo, Zog and the Flying Doctors and The Snail and the Whale.
TV and radio credits
Brydon is best known on TV for playing Bryn West in Gavin & Stacey between 2007 and 2010 – a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Comedy Performance. He also returned to for the show’s 2024 farewell special.
He has hosted Would I Lie to You? since 2009, as well as his own chat show, The Rob Brydon Show, and the 2014 game show The Guess List. His credits also include Marple, Little Britain, and a long list of guest and voice appearances across British radio and TV.
Book tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Related News
Don Black’s From The Heart announces surprise guests for final week, including David Arnold, Anton Du Beke and Rob Brydon
Already seen Phantom, Les Mis or Hamilton? Here are the 6 West End shows to book next
Everything you need to know about Jesus Christ Superstar in London
Glenn Close to play Herod in final week of Jesus Christ Superstar’s London seasonÂ
More Stars on Stage
Joe Pitts in Ghosts
Russell Tovey in The Guilty
Celinde Schoenmaker in Love Never Dies in Concert
