Reece Shearsmith in Jesus Christ Superstar

Reece Shearsmith is a BAFTA Award-winning actor, writer, and comedian, best known for co-creating The League of Gentlemen and Inside No. 9. He joins Jesus Christ Superstar as King Herod this November.

Reece Shearsmith in Jesus Christ Superstar

Reece Shearsmith joins the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, for an appearance as King Herod in of the production’s rotating line-up of celebrity guest stars. He plays the role for a week-long engagement, from 9–14 November 2026, taking over from Rob Brydon. The show’s star-studded Herod carousel runs throughout the production’s 12-week season at Drury Lane, from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027.

Book tickets to see Reece Shearsmith in Jesus Christ Superstar

About Reece Shearsmith

Reece Shearsmith is a BAFTA Award-winning actor, writer, and comedian, born in Hull in 1969 and a graduate of Bretton Hall College, where he studied Theatre Arts. He first came to prominence in 1995 as a co-creator, co-writer, and star of The League of Gentlemen, alongside Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. Shearsmith has since built a long-running creative partnership with Pemberton, co-writing and co-starring in the dark comedy series Psychoville and the acclaimed anthology series Inside No. 9, work that has earned him multiple BAFTA and Royal Television Society Awards, alongside a substantial and celebrated career on the London stage.

Theatre Credits

Shearsmith has built an extensive West End career spanning comedy, drama, and dark psychological thrillers, in addition to his celebrated television writing partnership with Steve Pemberton.

Co-created and starred in The League of Gentlemen, including its stage shows at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and on national tour
Played Leo Bloom in The Producers at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Played Professor Philip Goodman in Ghost Stories at the Duke of York’s Theatre
Starred in Betty Blue Eyes at the Novello Theatre, alongside Sarah Lancashire
Played the title role in The Dresser at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
Nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Very Expensive Poison at The Old Vic
Starred in The Unfriend at the Criterion Theatre
Co-wrote and co-starred in Inside No. 9: Stage/Fright, touring the UK and playing the Eventim Apollo, London

Film and Television Credits

Notable film and television credits include Inside No. 9 (BBC Two), The League of Gentlemen (BBC Two), Psychoville (BBC Two), Good Omens (Amazon Prime), Shaun of the Dead (Universal/Working Title), Venom (Sony), Foundation (Apple TV+).

Book Jesus Christ Superstar Tickets

Reece Shearsmith joins Jesus Christ Superstar for a week-long guest engagement as King Herod, playing from 9 to 14 November 2026 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. With a constantly changing headline cast of Herods keeping the production fresh throughout its 12-week season, running to 9 January 2027, early booking is recommended.