Samantha Barks Will Return to LES MISÉRABLES in London For 8 Performances Only
Barks will play the role of ‘Fantine' at the Sondheim Theatre, London for 8 performances only from 18 -23 May 2026
Samantha Barks will return to the West End production of Boublil and Schönberg's musical sensation Les Misérables. Barks will play the role of ‘Fantine' at the Sondheim Theatre, London for 8 performances only from 18 -23 May 2026, prior to joining the star-studded cast of the Les Misérables Arena World Tour at Birmingham Utilita Arena, London's Royal Albert Hall and New York's Radio City Music Hall.
Samantha Barks was first discovered by Cameron Mackintosh in the I'd Do Anything TV search to play Nancy in his West End production of Oliver!, where he also found Jessie Buckley, Rachel Tucker and Jodie Prenger.
She went on to play the role of Éponine in the West End and the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at the O2 Arena and played Nancy in the UK Tour of Oliver!. During this period, she beat great competition to secure the role of Éponine in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of Les Misérables, which brought her international acclaim. She has since taken leading roles in Pretty Woman on Broadway, Frozen in London and most recently the world premiere of The Greatest Showman.
She now returns to Les Misérables in London at the Sondheim Theatre as Fantine, before joining the Les Misérables: Arena Concert Spectacular in London, Birmingham and at the iconic Radio City Musical Hall in New York.
Samantha Barks said: “Returning to Les Misérables in the West End feels like a true full-circle moment. Sixteen years ago, I first stepped into Éponine's shoes, with so much still to learn. Now, I return with a deeper understanding of the story and its heart, to take on Fantine— I always wanted to return one day as Fantine, and it feels even more meaningful in this chapter of my life as a mother. This show has shaped so much of my journey, both on stage and on screen, and I'm incredibly grateful to revisit it with fresh perspective. London is where it all began for me, and to be back here telling this story again is incredibly special for me.”
Barks joins West End cast Ian McIntosh as ‘Jean Valjean', Sam Oladeinde as ‘Javert', Harry Hepple as ‘Thénardier', Lizzie Bea as ‘Madame Thénardier', Thiago Phillip Felizardo as ‘Marius', and Izzi Levine as ‘Cosette', Jess Folley as ‘Éponine' and Joe Griffiths-Brown as ‘Enjolras'. Martha Kirby will continue to play ‘Fantine' from 25 May.
The company is completed by Hollie Aires, Hazel Baldwin, Ella May Carter, Nicholas Carter, Matthew Dale, Irfan Damani, Lily De-La-Haye, Lila Falce-Bass, Sophie-May Feek, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Seán Keany, Chris Kiely, Sam Kipling, Mia Lamb, Sarah Lark, Ollie Llewelyn-Williams, Matthew McConnell, Aaron-Jade Morgan, Adam Pearce, William Pennington, Jordan Simon Pollard, Lewis Renninson, Danielle Rose, Georgia Tapp, Noah Thallon, Imaan Victoria, Danny Whelan and Ollie Wray.
Boublil and Schönberg's magnificent iconic score of Les Misérables with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer includes the classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Several of its songs have become real life anthems of revolution wherever in the world people are fighting for their freedom.
Les Misérables, which celebrated its record-breaking 40th Birthday in the West End in October last year, has been seen by over 150 million people worldwide in 55 countries, 452 cities, and has been translated into 22 languages. It has won over 270 major awards around the world, among which 5 Olivier Awards (including a special recognition award in April 2025), 8 Tony Awards, 5 Helpmann Awards, and more recently Best West End Show at the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards, with the movie wining 3 Oscars.
Following its critically acclaimed premiere in September 2024, Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular has been thrilling audiences around the globe, with The Times proclaiming, “Only Les Mis could generate an atmosphere between a rock concert and a football match". With over 1 million tickets sold across 30 cities and counting, this spectacular production continues to break box office records.
