Thomas Doherty is headed to Skid Row, marking a major move into New York theater. The Scottish actor, who rose to fame in Disney’s Descendants franchise and HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot, has been cast as Seymour in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. He will join the company on September 5 at the Westside Theatre, in a production that also stars Madeline Brewer as Audrey.
The musical, with music by Alan Menken and a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, follows a hapless florist who raises a plant that feeds on human flesh. It features show-stopping numbers such as Skid Row (Downtown), Somewhere That’s Green, and Suddenly, Seymour.
“I’m so honoured and excited to be introduced as the new Seymour,” Doherty said in a statement. “Little Shop of Horrors was the first-ever show I did as a child back in Edinburgh, so to be doing it now in New York City — alongside the incredibly talented Madeline Brewer — is a real dream.”
Doherty’s screen and TV credits include Hulu’s Paradise, Tell Me Lies, Girls5Eva, the Helen Mirren-led miniseries Catherine the Great, and Sony’s vampire thriller The Invitation. All the while, he has been sharpening his musical theater skills in anticipation of a future return to the stage.
“I’m hoping to build some singing muscles and dancing muscles back up. There’s nothing better than the stage,” Doherty said previously, underscoring his enthusiasm for live performance and the energy it brings.
This off-Broadway revival marks Doherty’s New York stage debut, a milestone that aligns his layered screen career with a live theater chapter many performers treasure. The pairing with Brewer brings a fresh dynamic to a beloved show, inviting both longtime fans and newcomers to Skid Row.
Commentary: This casting signals a strong bridge between Doherty’s TV/film stardom and his growing live-performance profile. For theatergoers, it offers a chance to see a familiar face take on a timeless character in a space known for intimate, high-energy productions. The revival can also serve as a proving ground for Doherty’s musical chops as he continues to broaden his range beyond screen work.
Summary: Thomas Doherty will make his New York stage debut as Seymour in the off-Broadway Little Shop of Horrors, joining Madeline Brewer, with performances beginning September 5 at the Westside Theatre. The move expands his artistic repertoire and offers audiences a fresh take on a classic musical. Positive and eagerly anticipated, the casting pairs a rising stage presence with a beloved story for a new chapter on Skid Row.