Gaten Matarazzo Cast as Mark in London's Fall 2026 'Rent' Revival

Gaten Matarazzo is heading to London's West End to star in a new revival of the iconic musical Rent.

The 23-year-old Stranger Things star will inhabit the role of Mark, a character originally created by Anthony Rapp for both Broadway and the film adaptation. Matarazzo's casting marks a significant moment for the beloved Jonathan Larson composition, which first debuted on Broadway in 1996 and captured four Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical.

The Larson classic became a launching pad for numerous theatrical talents, among them Rapp, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Director Luke Sheppard is helming the London production, which will play at Duke of York's Theatre beginning in fall 2026. Performances commence on September 26, with opening night scheduled for October 8. Sheppard has earned acclaim for his work on the hit musical & Juliet and Paddington: The Musical, the latter of which has sold out performances through the coming year.

Producer Sonia Friedman expressed enthusiasm about the casting, noting that Matarazzo will attract audiences familiar with his television work while introducing the show to new UK viewers. "He's going to bring in a whole new audience, as our play did, and this feels really special," Friedman said.

Matarazzo's theatrical background extends back to his childhood, when he appeared in Broadway productions of Les Misérables and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. More recently, he has returned to the stage for roles in Dear Evan Hansen and Sweeney Todd on Broadway.