Death Note Musical to be Staged in London: Cast Announced
Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata's iconic manga Death Note is being brought to the stage once again. The official cast for the London production of the musical has been announced: Xander Pang (Light Yagami), Colin Ryan (L), Stephanie Zaharis (Misa Amane), and Telly Leung (Ryuk) will share the lead roles. Performances will take place between July 30 and September 12, 2026.
The musical's first Japanese version premiered in Tokyo in 2015, followed by an English concert version in Seoul in 2023. The London production now presents itself as a full-fledged theatrical production. Telly Leung previously performed on Broadway in productions such as Aladdin and Rent, and also played Light in the 2023 Seoul concert. Notably, this time he takes on the puppet/singer role of Ryuk.
The original manga was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2003 to 2006, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. The story follows the battle of wits between Light Yagami, a genius high school student who finds a death note, and the detective L who tries to stop him. The musical's score is by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Bonnie & Clyde), with lyrics by Jack Murphy. Direction is by Nick Winston.
The London performances will not take place at the London Palladium, which has hosted musicals like Kinky Boots and The Prince of Egypt, but at the previously announced Shaftesbury Theatre (which may have since been renamed). Tickets are not yet on sale; however, details regarding early reservations and preview sessions are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
In an era where anime and manga adaptations are increasingly finding their place on the theatrical stage, the London production of Death Note the Musical is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for both fans and musical enthusiasts. The interest in stage adaptations such as Stranger Things and Spirited Away particularly demonstrates the potential of such productions. It is advisable to follow official announcements for the performance schedule and full cast information.
