Jonathan Bailey Follows Ariana Grande in Exiting Sunday in the Park

Bailey confirmed his exit via Instagram, citing his close friendship with Grande and his long-standing professional relationship with director Marianne Elliott. While the actor described the musical as a passion project, he noted that after careful consideration, he chose to step away from the role. The production, slated for a summer 2027 debut at London’s Barbican Centre, now faces significant uncertainty regarding its casting and timeline.

Ariana Grande’s departure, announced on August 2, was attributed to her need for a break from public scrutiny following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour. Despite their earlier excitement about reuniting on stage after working together on the Wicked films, both leads have now vacated the project. Bailey, meanwhile, remains focused on other commitments, including the upcoming Netflix legal drama Monsanto and his ongoing role in the Bridgerton series. The production team has yet to announce whether the show will proceed with new leads or face postponement.