There’s a long history of actors moving between soap operas and stage productions. Many performers have transitioned to theatre, either during breaks from their TV roles or even after their characters have been written off (or ‘killed off’) the show.
Soap opera fans have a lot to look forward to this year! Many popular actors from shows like EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Hollyoaks are taking their talents to the stage in the UK.
This year offers plenty of opportunities to see actors from popular British soaps like EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks, whether in a long-running West End show or a touring production.
Whether it’s familiar faces from EastEnders like Tamzin Outhwaite and James Bye reprising their stage roles, Coronation Street’s Les Dennis taking to the stage in Waitress, or Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars Charley Webb and Ellie Leach teaming up for a new play about women’s football, we have the top choices for entertainment.
Here’s a look at some of your favorite soap opera stars who will be performing on stage in 2026, including details on when and where you can see them, and how to buy tickets.
17 soap stars you can see live on stage in 2026
Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders)
- Show: Abigail’s Party
- Dates and venues: 16 Jun – 8 Aug 2026 – various locations
Tamzin Outhwaite, known for her role in EastEnders, is continuing a run of fantastic stage performances. Following her recent appearance in the London production of Entertaining Mr Sloane, she’s bringing back her critically acclaimed portrayal of Beverley in Abigail’s Party. Outhwaite first played the role in October 2024 at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, and will now be touring the UK with the play, performing at seven different theatres between June and August 2026.
Maisie Smith (EastEnders)
- Show: Talented Mr Ripley/Little Shop of Horrors
- Dates and venues: Now – 2 May 2026/ 25 Sep – 29 Nov 2026 – various locations
Maisie Smith, famous for her roles in EastEnders and as a Strictly Come Dancing finalist, is busy performing in two major West End shows across the UK this year. She’s currently touring with Talented Mr Ripley alongside Ed McVey, known from The Crown, and will soon join the UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey.
Danny Hatchard (EastEnders)
- Show: Top Gs Like Me
- Dates and venues: 23 Feb – 7 March 2026 – Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton
Danny Hatchard, known for his role as Lee Carter on the soap opera EastEnders, left the show in 2017 but returned for brief appearances in 2020 and 2024. He’s now starring in Top Gs Like Me, a new play at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate Theatre. The play explores how social media algorithms affect the mental wellbeing of young men.
In an interview with TopMob, Hatchard explained that the show explores how the internet and certain male personalities can affect young people, creating confusion especially during difficult times. He specifically highlighted the impact on young men who may not have strong father figures.
Natalie Casey (Hollyoaks) and James Bye (EastEnders)
- Show: 2:22 A Ghost Story
- Dates and venues: Now – 4 Jul 2026 – various locations
The popular horror play, 2:22 A Ghost Story, is hitting the road this year with a new group of well-known actors. James Bye, recently known for his role as Martin Fowler on EastEnders, and Natalie Casey, who recently returned to Hollyoaks as Carol Groves, will both star in the production from now through July.
Kym Marsh (Coronation Street)
- Show: Single White Female
- Dates and venues: Now – 13 Jun 2026 – various locations
I just saw the stage version of ‘Single White Female,’ and Kym Marsh is absolutely carrying the show. It’s based on that classic 90s thriller, and honestly, this adaptation feels really fresh and updated. The story centers around Allie, a divorced mom trying to juggle raising a kid and building her own tech company – a very relatable premise, and Marsh really brings her to life. It’s touring the UK through June, and I’d definitely recommend checking it out if it comes to a theatre near you.
Harriet Bibby (Coronation Street)
- Show: My Name is Rachel Corrie
- Dates and venues: 18 – 22 Mar 2026 – 53Two Theatre, Manchester
Deeply moved by the situation in Palestine, Rachel Corrie went to Gaza in 2003 to live and work with the local people. Her writings were later compiled and edited by actor Alan Rickman and journalist Katharine Viner, and are now being presented in a one-person show. Harriet Bibby, known for her role in Coronation Street, will star in the performance, which will be held at 53two Theatre in Manchester for a limited time. Historian Ian Kershaw is directing the show.
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Charley Webb (Emmerdale) and Ellie Leach (Coronation Street)
- Show: The Ladies Football Club
- Dates and venues: 28 Feb – 28 Mar 2026 – The Crucible, Sheffield
Fans can see two popular soap actresses on stage this month! Charley Webb, known from Emmerdale, and Ellie Leach, from Coronation Street, are both starring in a new play called The Ladies Football Club at the Sheffield Crucible. The play, which is part of a recent trend of sports-themed productions like Dear England, tells the true story of women in Sheffield who started their own football league during World War One while the men were fighting in the war.
Jason Donovan (Neighbours)
- Show: Doin’ Fine Encore Tour/ The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Dates and venues: Now – 19 Mar 2026/ 4 May – 18 Jul 2026 – various locations
Many of us still remember Jason Donovan as Scott Robinson, but he’s become a hugely popular stage performer. This year, he’s bringing back his famous role as Frank N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and is also touring with his greatest hits from a career spanning 35 years. Fans can look forward to hearing songs from shows like Joseph, Priscilla, and Grease, plus many other favorites.
Sally Ann Matthews (Coronation Street)
- Show: Here & Now – The Steps Musical
- Dates and venues: Now – 16 May 2026 – various locations
I’m really excited about this musical – it’s touring all over the UK right now! And the best part? Sally Ann Matthews, who you probably know from Coronation Street after being on the show for almost forty years, is starring in it! It’s great to see her doing something new after so long on the cobbles.
Sandra Marvin (Emmerdale) and Les Dennis (Coronation Street)
- Show: Waitress
- Dates and venues: 28 Mar – 29 Jun 2026 – various locations
Beloved British actor Les Dennis, famous for his work on TV shows like Coronation Street, is returning to the stage in the musical Waitress. He’ll be performing alongside Sandra Marvin (known for Emmerdale), West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher, and Evelyn Hoskins as the show tours the UK and Ireland. Dennis has been performing for 50 years, with notable roles including Grandad Trotter in ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and King Arthur in ‘Spamalot’. Sandra Marvin will be playing Becky again, a role she’s previously performed both in London’s West End and on tour.
Bonnie Langford (EastEnders)
- Show: Paddington
- Dates and venues: Ongoing – Savoy Theatre
All hail Bonnie Langford! You may know her as Carmel Kazemi or Mel Bush, but everyone should know the extent of her West End career as well. Across her career, the actress has appeared in dozens of West End and touring shows including 9 to 5: The Musical, 42nd Street, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (musical), Spamalot, and so much more. In recent years she took part in the Les Misérables 40th anniversary tour as Madame Thénardier, where she happily described herself as a “cockroach person” and said: “The truth is it’s a lot more fun playing a nasty person, and they’re rather outrageous.”
She’s currently playing Mrs. Bird in the popular West End musical, Paddington, and is wowing audiences with her energetic performance – she can sing, dance, and even do the splits!
Jessie Elland (Emmerdale)
- Show: Little Shop of Horrors
- Dates and venues: 3 Dec 2026 – 9 Jan 2027 – Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse
A new production of Little Shop of Horrors is coming to the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse this winter. Jessie Elland, known for her role in Emmerdale, will play Audrey in the show, which will run for a limited time.
Wendi Peters (Coronation Street) and Matthew James Morrison (EastEnders)
- Show: Glorious!
- Dates and venues: Now – 6 Jun 2026
Corrie’s Wendi Peters and EastEnders’ Matthew James Morrison are teaming up for a UK tour of ‘Glorious!’, a funny and heartwarming show based on the real life of Florence Foster Jenkins. If you enjoyed the Meryl Streep film about her, you’ll love this story of the famously terrible singer and her pianist, Cosme, as they chase their dreams despite what the critics say.
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2026-03-03 16:12