Meet the Cast of RENT in London: West End Cast 2026

Posted on 13 Aug 2026

The new *RENT* West End production arrives in London this autumn. If you're looking for [RENT West End tickets](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/rent-tickets), you can check performance dates and availability before getting to know the cast below. The [*RENT*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/rent-announces-further-west-end-cast)[ West End cas](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/rent-announces-further-west-end-cast)t brings together established musical theatre performers, rising stars and screen talent for Jonathan Larson's 30th anniversary production. Led by **Gaten Matarazzo** as Mark Cohen, the cast includes **Travis Ross** as Roger, **Bella Brown** as Mimi, **Billy Nevers** as Collins, **Lazy Violet** as Maureen, **Danielle Fiamanya** as Joanne, **Jeevan Braich** as Angel and **Joaquin Pedro Valdes** as Benny. ### **Find out more about the Rent London Cast** Here's everything you need to know about the *RENT* London cast, including the actors playing the show's central characters and some of their best-known previous theatre and screen credits. ### **Gaten Matarazzo as Mark Cohen** [**Gaten Matarazzo**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/stranger-things-star-gaten-matarazzo-to-make-west-end-debut-in-rent-plus-dates-and-venue-just-confirmed) takes on the role of Mark Cohen in *RENT*, making his West End debut in the production. Matarazzo is best known internationally for playing Dustin Henderson in Netflix's *Stranger Things*, but his career began on stage. He made his Broadway debut as Benji in *Priscilla Queen of the Desert* at just nine years old before appearing in productions including *Godspell* and the 2014 Broadway revival of *Les Misérables*, in which he played Gavroche. He also performed the role during the show's 25th Anniversary North American tour. His musical theatre credits have continued to include *Dear Evan Hansen*, *Sweeney Todd* and *Parade*, making his casting as Mark a return to the stage as well as his first West End production. Away from theatre, Matarazzo has continued to work across film and television, including the Disney+ animated series *LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy* and its sequel, as well as the film *Pizza Movie*, on which he also served as an executive producer. ### **Travis Ross as Roger Davis** **Travis Ross** plays Roger Davis, the musician and songwriter at the centre of *RENT*'s group of friends. A British actor working across stage, television and audio, Ross has built an eclectic theatre career. His credits include Rebecca Frecknall's acclaimed production of *Cabaret* at the Playhouse Theatre, where he played Bobby and understudied the Emcee, as well as *West Side Story*, *42 Balloons* and *Cake*. His screen work includes a role in ITV's long-running detective drama *Vera*, while he will also appear alongside Hugh Laurie, Thandiwe Newton and Gina McKee in Apple TV+'s upcoming series *The Wanted Man*. Ross now joins the *RENT* London cast as Roger for the musical's 30th anniversary revival. ### **Bella Brown as Mimi Marquez** [**Bella Brown**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/who-is-bella-brown) plays Mimi Marquez in *RENT*, following a series of acclaimed musical theatre appearances in London and beyond. Brown recently appeared as Rapunzel in *Into the Woods* at the Bridge Theatre and previously performed in Jamie Lloyd's acclaimed *Evita* at the London Palladium. In *Evita*, she was cast as The Mistress and Alternate Eva Perón, performing the title role in scheduled performances alongside **Rachel Zegler**. Her other theatre credits include *Hadestown* at the Lyric Theatre, where she played a Fate and understudied Eurydice, *Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends* at the Gielgud Theatre, and *Rock Follies* at Chichester Festival Theatre. She has also appeared on screen in *Girl Group*, directed by Rebel Wilson, and has worked on new musical theatre projects including *The Sun Queen*. Brown brings a strong musical theatre background to the role of Mimi, one of the central characters in the *RENT* cast.

### **Billy Nevers as Tom Collins** **Billy Nevers** takes on the role of Tom Collins, having already built an impressive list of West End and UK theatre credits. His previous roles include Aaron Burr in the *Hamilton* tour, Fred in *Groundhog Day* at The Old Vic, Francois in *& Juliet* and Alternate Judas/Simon in *Jesus Christ Superstar*. He has also appeared in the original UK and Ireland tour of *Hamilton* and productions including *Legally Blonde* at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Nevers was nominated for a Black British Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical for his work in *Legally Blonde*, and he hosted the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards at the Prince of Wales Theatre. ### **Lazy Violet as Maureen Johnson** **Lazy Violet** makes their West End debut as Maureen Johnson in *RENT*. An emerging alternative pop artist, Lazy Violet is known for a powerful vocal style and energetic live performances, with music influenced by artists including Paramore, Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan. After performing at London Pride in 2025, Lazy Violet now makes the move to the West End stage for the first time in the 30th anniversary production of *RENT*. Their casting brings a contemporary alternative-pop voice to one of musical theatre's most distinctive characters. ### **Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne Jefferson** **Danielle Fiamanya** plays Joanne Jefferson in the *RENT* West End cast. A graduate of the Guildford School of Acting, Fiamanya has appeared extensively across stage and screen. Her theatre credits include *The Color Purple*, for which she won The Stage Debut Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well as *Brigadoon*, *Otherland*, *The Secret Life of Bees*, *Macbeth*, *Mandela*, *Frozen* and *& Juliet*. Her screen credits include Netflix's *The Crown*, Paramount+'s *Halo* and the BBC production *Counsels*. Her role as Joanne sees her join a cast that combines performers from some of London's biggest recent musical theatre productions with exciting new talent. ### **Jeevan Braich as Angel Schunard** **Jeevan Braich** plays Angel Schunard in *RENT*, following an award-winning professional debut in the West End. Braich made his professional stage debut as Rusty in *Starlight Express*, a role that earned him both the Stage Debut Award for Best Performer in a Musical and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Professional Debut. A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Junior Conservatoire, he has also appeared in *Cinderella* at Norwich Theatre Royal and taken part in workshops for new musicals including *Mona Loser*, *The Sun Queen* and *Peter Pan*. His casting as Angel marks his return to the West End following his acclaimed debut in *Starlight Express*. ### **Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny** **Joaquin Pedro Valdes** plays Benny in the *RENT* London cast. A London-based theatre performer and recording artist, Valdes has worked across the West End, major commercial productions and leading UK theatres. His recent credits include Herakles in *The Frogs* at Southwark Playhouse and Prince Chadley in *Cinderella* at the Rose Theatre. His previous roles include Light Yagami in *Death Note: The Musical in Concert* at the London Palladium and Lyric Theatre, Luke Castellan/Ares in *The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical*, Dominique in *The Baker's Wife*, John Manjiro in *Pacific Overtures* and Ram Sweeney in *Heathers the Musical*. Valdes has also appeared in productions of Disney's *The Lion King*, *The King and I* and *Miss Saigon*, as well as the original London cast recording of *The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical*. ### **Meet the *RENT* cast in London** From *Stranger Things* star **Gaten Matarazzo** making his West End debut to **Bella Brown** following her appearances as Alternate Eva in *Evita*, the *RENT* cast brings together performers with backgrounds spanning the West End, Broadway, television, film and contemporary music. With the production marking the 30th anniversary of Jonathan Larson's musical, the cast will bring a new generation of performers to these much-loved roles. ### **RENT West End Cast FAQs** ### **Who is Gaten Matarazzo playing in *RENT*?** Gaten Matarazzo plays Mark Cohen in the 2026 West End production of *RENT*. The role marks his West End debut. ### **Who plays Mimi in *RENT* in London?** Bella Brown plays Mimi Marquez in the 2026 *RENT* West End cast. Her previous credits include Jamie Lloyd's *Evita* at the London Palladium, where she was Alternate Eva Perón, as well as *Into the Woods* and *Hadestown*. ### **Who plays Angel in *RENT*?** Jeevan Braich plays Angel Schunard. He made his professional debut as Rusty in *Starlight Express*, winning both the Stage Debut Award for Best Performer in a Musical and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Professional Debut. ### **Which *RENT* cast members have appeared in *Hamilton*?** Billy Nevers has played Aaron Burr in *Hamilton* and also appeared in the original UK and Ireland tour. Joaquin Pedro Valdes has also appeared in a number of major musical theatre productions, including *The Lightning Thief*, *Heathers* and *The Lion King*. ### **Which *RENT* cast member was in *Evita*?** Bella Brown appeared in Jamie Lloyd's *Evita* at the London Palladium as The Mistress and Alternate Eva Perón, performing as Eva alongside Rachel Zegler. ### **Which *RENT* cast members are making their West End debuts?** Gaten Matarazzo makes his West End debut as Mark, while Lazy Violet also makes their West End debut as Maureen. ### **What are the main songs in RENT the musical?** Read our [RENT songs guide](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/rent-songs-guide) to get the full lowdown. [RENT](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/rent-tickets) plays at the [Duke of York's Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/duke-of-yorks-theatre-london) from 26 September 2026 to 27 March 2027. Book your tickets today.