Meet the Les Miserables 40th Anniversary Cast

Are you ready to hear the people sing? In 2025, Les Miserables celebrates an incredible milestone: 40 years in London. The show premiered at the Barbican Theatre in October 1985, before transferring to the West End that December – and it’s been running ever since, making it the longest-running musical in West End history. 

Now a global phenomenon, Les Mis has been performed in over 400 cities across 55 countries, seen by more than 130 million people. With an Oscar-winning film, concert stagings, arena tours and a legacy of iconic performers – “stars in their multitudes”, in fact – including Michael Ball, Patti LuPone, and Lea Salonga, it remains a theatrical powerhouse. To mark the occasion, Cameron Mackintosh has assembled a fantastic Les Miserables 40th anniversary cast for a special birthday season at the Sondheim Theatre, running for eight weeks only this autumn. It’s the perfect time to book your seat at the barricade!

Who is in the Les Mis 40th anniversary cast?

Killian Donnelly – Jean Valjean

Irish musical theatre star Killian Donnelly has appeared in Les Mis many times over the years. He started out as a swing back in 2008, and spent time as an understudy for several roles including Javert and Enjolras. In 2011, he graduated to the company’s lead Enjolras and understudy Valjean – but it wasn’t until 2017 that he returned to the West End to star as the musical’s tragic hero full-time.

His take on Jean Valjean is a real fan favourite, and he’s also starred in the 2018 UK and Ireland tour, a reprise at the Sondheim in 2023, and in the Arena World Tour (shared with Alfie Boe and Peter Joback). If anyone’s ready to bring Jean Valjean into the next 40 years of Les Miserables, it’s Killian!

Bradley Jaden – Javert

Bradley Jaden is another longstanding cast member who’s worked his way up to one of Les Miserables’ most iconic roles. He joined the West End company in 2014 as Lesgles and understudy Valjean/Enjolras, before – like Killian Donnelly – taking over the role of Enjolras full-time. He was even part of the Les Mis 30th anniversary! 

However, Jaden is now best-known for his incredible performance as the obsessive Javert, who is determined to track down Valjean and deliver justice. He first stepped into the policeman’s shoes in 2018 at the Sondheim, and has also played the role in the Arena World Tour. We can’t wait to see him and Donnelly spar on stage.

Katie Hall – Fantine

Katie Hall kicked off her Les Mis career as Cosette in 2009, and appeared in the show’s 25th anniversary at the O2 Arena in 2010. After a break to star as one of musical theatre’s most famous roles – Christine in The Phantom of the Opera – she returned to the barricade as Fantine for the 2018 UK and Ireland tour. Her Fantine West End debut was in 2023, followed by the Arena World Tour. 

Jac Yarrow – Marius

Jac Yarrow first played Marius in 2024 after making his name as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His four-week stint as the dreamy idealist – and Cosette’s romantic interest – was well received, and like many of his fellow 40th anniversary cast mates, he also joined the Arena World Tour. He’s now back in the West End to help lead an historic charge of the barricade for eight weeks more!

Shan Ako – Eponine

Shan Ako landed the breakout role of unlucky Eponine – the scheming Thenardiers’ daughter and lovestruck friend of Marius – in 2019 as part of the All Star Staged Concert, and the only way has been up since then. She went on to star in the West End production in 2020, winning Best Performer in a Musical at the Stage Debut Awards, and – you guessed it – formed part of the Arena Spectacular cast from 2024-2025. 

Eponine’s solo song “On My Own” is the definition of show-stopper, and the character delivers plenty of tear-jerker moments, so it’s brilliant to see the talented Ako back for this landmark anniversary. 

Jordan Shaw – Enjolras 

Student protest was rife in 19th century France, and passionate Enjolras is the flag-waving revolutionary at the front of the barricade. Jordan Shaw, who played the role for almost two years from 2021-2023, is back and ready to belt out “Do You Hear the People Sing?”. He is part of the main 2025 cast of Les Miserables, so you can also catch him before and after the eight-week anniversary cast are on stage.

Beatrice Penny-Touré – Cosette

Beatrice Penny-Touré is another cast member who comes to London following the huge Arena World Tour. Cosette is in many ways the central thread of Les Mis: the daughter of Fantine who is mistreated by the Thenardiers; Jean Valjean’s salvation when he takes her under his wing; and student Marius’ love interest. An important role, and Penny-Touré brings some beautiful vocals to songs like “A Heart Full of Love” and “In My Life”.

Adam Gillen – Thenardier 

Acclaimed actor Adam Gillen is making his Les Miserables debut as the greedy and opportunistic Thenardier, who offers some welcome light relief in a show full of tragic characters. It’s a fantastic role for any actor to get their teeth into, not least because he leads the rousing number “Master of the House”! Gillen already has some experience getting the audience on-side, having played the Emcee in Cabaret, so we think his Thenardier will be a real crowd-pleaser.

Marina Prior – Madame Thenardier

Every Master of the House needs a Madame, and Marina Prior is a fantastic choice. Prior is an Australian actress who has a long history with Les Miserables Down Under. She played Cosette in the show’s Australian premiere back in 1987, and also played Fantine in her home country. She debuted as Madame Thenardier as part of the Arena World Tour cast in 2025, and makes her West End debut as part of the 40th anniversary cast.

Ian McIntosh – Jean Valjean (Selected Performances)

Killian Donnelly is scheduled to perform at most of the anniversary performances, but some dates will be covered by Ian McIntosh. Olivier Award nominee McIntosh is part of the 2025 cast for Les Miserables and brings considerable clout to the role of Valjean. He first played the ex-convict in 2024, and luckily for us is staying on past 40th!

When are the 40th anniversary cast performing? 

The anniversary cast are performing for eight weeks, from 8 September – 1 November 2025. Ian McIntosh, Adam Gillen and Katie Hall are also performing as part of the 2025-26 company, so you can see them after the final 40th anniversary performance.

Don’t Miss the Les Mis 40 Cast!

Tickets are on sale now for this very special celebration of Les Miserables in the West End. Don’t “dream a dream” of being in the audience – book now to see the cast live.

Who are your ultimate Les Miserables stars?

This anniversary cast is seriously impressive, but with four decades of Les Miserables on stage, everyone has their favourites. We’d love to know which performers have left their mark for you. Share your standout Les Mis memories in the comments!