Samantha Barks Returns to the West End Production of Les Misérables as ‘Fantine’ for 8 Performances Only!

18-23 May 2026 at the Sondheim Theatre prior to joining the Arena Concert Spectacular World Tour

Cameron Mackintosh is thrilled to welcome back Samantha Barks 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 Concert Spectacular 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.

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.