Smash Star Raza Jaffrey Set for the West End’s Chicago

Smash’s Raza Jafrey will star as charismatic lawyer Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago from May 16 through July 14. Jaffrey will take over the role at London’s Garrick Theatre from David Bedella, who leaves the production on May 12.


Set in prohibition-era Chicago, Chicago features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chicago is the story of female criminals, based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins. The musical opened in 1997 at the West End’s Cambridge Theatre, then transferred to the Garrick Theatre in 2011. In addition to Cousins, Chicago stars Sarah Soetaert as Roxie Hart, Rachel McDowall as Velma Kelly, James Doherty as Amos Hart, Jasna Ivir as Mama Morton and R. Whitehead as Mary Sunshine.



Raza can be currently seen playing the role of Dev Sundaram on NBC’s Smash. Raza’s TV credits include Zaf Younis in Spooks and Hari Dhillon in Mistresses. His recent films include Sex and the City 2, Harry Brown and Eastern Promises. Raza’s West End stage credits include Sky in Mamma Mia!, Akaash in the original production of Bombay Dreams and Orsino in Twelfth Night.