EXCLUSIVE: Cynthia Erivo, known for her role in Wicked, is set to portray Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire and an impressive 22 additional characters in Dracula. This one-woman theatrical spectacle is scheduled for next year in London’s West End, brought to life by the creative minds behind Sarah Snook’s acclaimed productions of The Picture of Dorian Gray on Broadway and in London.

Stoker’s gothic masterpiece delves into the complex themes of Victorian-era sexuality, fear, and desire. First published in 1897, the narrative is both captivating and chilling, filled with haunting and surreal imagery.

Dracula, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, marks Erivo’s return to the stage after her Tony Award-winning performance as Celie in The Color Purple, which she starred in for two years in New York before departing in January 2017. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Erivo has honed her craft in various plays and musicals in the UK before making her mark in the U.S.

The Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Dracula will be hosted at the Cameron Mackintosh-owned Noel Coward Theatre for a limited 16-week run from February 4 to May 31, 2026.

Confirming the Dracula news exclusively to Deadline, Cassel expressed, “The stars have aligned, and we’ve secured an incredible talent in Cynthia to join us.”

The initial outreach to Erivo occurred nine months ago during the intense global promotional tour for Wicked.

Encouraged by Erivo’s enthusiasm, Cassel and Kenwright swiftly connected her with Williams. He showcased archival footage of the STC production of Dracula, which featured Australian actress Zehra Newman as the titular character during its four-week run at Sydney’s Roslyn Packer Theatre last year.

Williams discussed with Erivo his concept of “cine-theatre,” where actors engage with both live and pre-recorded video feeds.

Later, Erivo attended Snook’s now Tony-nominated performance at the Music Box and had a conversation with her afterward. While the two productions differ significantly, it allowed Erivo to envision how Williams orchestrates his interactive performances, with camera operators gracefully moving across the stage as she embodies multiple roles.

“She has really spent most of her time with Kip just discussing the inspiration and the dramaturgy of it all. Their connection has been crucial because this is a show they will create together,” Cassel shared during a call from Melbourne, where he is overseeing a production of the musical Beetlejuice at the Regent Theatre.

Cassel emphasized that the West End’s Dracula will not simply replicate the Sydney version. “What’s exciting for her and for us is that, while we know the story, they will have the opportunity to create this role together in the rehearsal room in London. This was very appealing to Cynthia, allowing her to interpret the role and explore it with Kip.”

The list of 23 characters Erivo will portray includes the infamous Count Dracula, who survives by draining the blood of the living; Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified solicitor visiting his new client in a remote Transylvanian castle; Mina Murray, Harker’s fiancée; her friend Lucy Westenra; and Professor Van Helsing, the vampire hunter and expert in occult lore.

“To successfully embody all these roles, you need exceptional actors,” Cassel remarked, “and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have Cynthia leading the charge.”

Fans of Wicked will be excited to know that Erivo will perform a song in Dracula, albeit just one.

The original composition in the show is by Clemence Williams, who has been nominated for a Tony Award for sound design for The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Cassel quickly clarified that Dracula is “a play, not a musical, but it does feature an original song” that will be performed towards the end of the 1 hour and 50-minute production.

Wicked: For Good, the second part of director Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of the Broadway sensation, premieres on November 21, while rehearsals for Dracula are set to commence in late December.

With performances of Dracula kicking off on February 4, Cassel and Kenwright are mindful that Erivo may need to attend one or two awards shows, and they are making adjustments to the performance schedule to accommodate her.

“We’re considering that,” Cassel added, “ensuring all elements are in place so Cynthia can participate in everything happening in her life — we’ll build that into the schedule.”

“We’re thrilled that Cynthia has chosen this project as one she genuinely wants to be part of. When you look at Sarah and others, these actors have incredible experiences in film and television, yet the allure of theatre, especially something so challenging, speaks volumes about their caliber as performers. It’s a world apart from what Cynthia has been doing recently, and she can discover that character and face challenges night after night in front of a live audience, which is truly exhilarating.”

Erivo has a busy schedule ahead of Dracula, including hosting the 78th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8. Following that, she will star alongside Teo Yoo (Past Lives) and Isabel May (1883) in director Takashi Doscher’s action thriller Karoshi for 87Eleven and Lionsgate.

Additional film projects are on Erivo’s agenda, along with her role as Jesus in a concert version of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl in early August.

When Stoker released his epistolary novel, critics viewed it as a reflection of Victorian society. Cassel acknowledges that Williams’ adaptation delves “much deeper into the metaphorical power of Dracula, reorienting the psychological struggle between fear, desire, and denial, which resonates more profoundly today.”

“It offers a compelling contemporary perspective.”

Cassel and Kenwright are not discussing future plans for Dracula with Erivo beyond the Noel Coward Theatre. Broadway has not been mentioned yet.

“Our primary focus is on the West End and ensuring its success while welcoming Cynthia into the world of Dracula,” Cassel concluded.