Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 30, 2026

Sam Tutty

Sam Tutty is an English actor. He is best known for his title role in the West End production of the musical Dear Evan Hansen, for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. He also originated the role of Dougal in the UK theatre run of Two Strangers , and remained with the show when it transferred to Broadway, earning him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

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Sam Tutty
Tutty in 2026
Born (1998-04-09) 9 April 1998
Crawley, West Sussex, England
Education
OccupationActor
Years active2019–present
Notable workDear Evan Hansen (2019–2022)
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) (2023–2026)
Awards

Sam Tutty (born 9 April 1998)1 is an English actor. He is best known for his title role in the West End production of the musical Dear Evan Hansen, for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. He also originated the role of Dougal in the UK theatre run of Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and remained with the show when it transferred to Broadway, earning him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

In 2021, he briefly joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as Timmy Simons.

Early life and education

Sam Tutty was born on 9 April 1998 in Crawley, West Sussex. His father left when he was ten years old and he, his mother, and younger brother soon moved to Hull.23 After returning to West Sussex, Tutty attended Imberhorne Secondary School, notably appearing in many school productions such as The Wizard of Oz. Tutty attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where he learned to dance, amassed his repertoire of songs, and gained his foundation in theatre etiquette.4

Acting career

Tutty made his off-West End debut as Daniel in the British Theater Academy's production of Once on This Island at the Southwark Playhouse.45 After an intensive auditions process, in which he was originally cast as Evan's alternate, Tutty was cast as the main Evan Hansen in the West End production of Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre.4 Previews for the show began on 29 October 2019 and the show officially opened on 19 November 2019.6 Tutty's performance gained widespread praise from critics.37 He went on to receive numerous awards, including Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2020. At age 22, he is one of the youngest winners of the most prestigious UK theatrical award.89

On 25 May 2021, it was announced that Tutty had joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. He made his debut appearance as Timmy Simons on 4 June 2021.10 After 21 episodes, the character was killed off to allow Tutty to reprise his role of Evan Hansen after the reopening of the West End production in October 2021, following the forced closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.11 In 2022, Tutty performed the song "Heart of a Stranger" for The Robbie Sherman Songbook.12

In December 2023, Tutty starred as Dougal in the two-hander romantic comedy musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Kiln Theatre alongside Dujonna Gift. The production earned positive reviews and box office, leading to it extending its run until 20 January 2024.13 The show then transferred to the West End, opening at the Criterion Theatre from 23 April to 31 August 2024, again extending its run due to popular demand.14 Tutty remained with the production when it transferred to the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts alongside Christiani Pitts in from May to July 2025.1516 Tutty made his Broadway debut when the show began previews on 1 November 2025 at the Longacre Theatre, with the official opening night taking place on 20 November.17 His performance received critical acclaim and led to him being nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.181920 Tutty also appears on both the Original London Cast Recording and the Original Broadway Cast Recording with both Gift and Pitts respectively.21

Theatre credits

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 Once on This Island Daniel Southwark Playhouse 5
2019–2022 Dear Evan Hansen Evan Hansen Noël Coward Theatre 2
2023 Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) Dougal Todd Kiln Theatre
2024 Criterion Theatre 22
2025 American Repertory Theater
Longacre Theatre

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 Hollyoaks Timmy Simons Recurring role (21 episodes) 11
Romeo and Juliet Romeo Montague Filmed theatre performance 23
Four Minute Warning Sam Short film 24

Accolades

Year Award Category Show Result Ref.
2019 Critics' Circle Theater Award Most Promising Newcomer Dear Evan Hansen Won 25
2020 WhatsOnStage Award Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Won 26
Mousetrap Awards Watch This Face Won 27
Laurence Olivier Award Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Won 28
The Stage Debut Awards Best Performer in a Musical Won 29
The Stage Debut Awards Best West End Debut Performer Won 30
2026 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) Nominated 31
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Nominated 3233
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical Nominated 34
Favorite Funny Performance Won
Favorite Onstage Pair (with Christiani Pitts) Won
Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male) Nominated
Tony Awards Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Nominated 35
Dorian Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Broadway Musical Nominated 36
See also

See also

References

References

  1. "Sam Tutty on Instagram: "I'm 22 today!! I was looking forward to this one simply because I was planning to do the show and spend it with everyone at @dehwestend .…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  2. "Sam Tutty: who is the new Dear Evan Hansen star? | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  3. Davies, Hannah J. (30 October 2019). "Dear Evan Hansen's new British star: 'Things have really snowballed'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  4. Swain, Marianka. "BWW Interview: Sam Tutty Talks DEAR EVAN HANSEN". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  5. "Once On This Island". Southwark Playhouse | Theatre and Bar. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  6. Gans, Andrew (11 December 2019). "Watch Sam Tutty and the London Cast of Dear Evan Hansen Sing 'You Will Be Found'". Playbill. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  7. "Dear Evan Hansen review: A superb, unmissable musical lands in London". The Independent. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  8. "2020 Olivier Award nominees announced!". London Theatre Direct. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  9. "Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  10. Patterson, Stephen (25 May 2021). "Olivier Award-winning actor Sam Tutty joins Hollyoaks as dodgy Fergus Collins' sidekick". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  11. "Hollyoaks spoilers - Sam Tutty on Timmy's shock exit". Digital Spy. 12 October 2021.
  12. Wallis, Rebecca (6 April 2022). "THE ROBBIE SHERMAN SONGBOOK: Backing Tracks and Vocal Guides released". West End Best Friend. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  13. Mayo, Douglas (23 August 2023). "Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift to star in new musical at Kiln Theatre". British Theatre. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  14. Rook, Olivia (12 January 2024). "'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)' to transfer to the West End". London Theatre. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  15. Hall, Margaret (9 April 2025). "See Who's Starring in Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) North American Premiere at A.R.T." Playbill. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  16. Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Photos: TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) at A.R.T." BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  17. "Musical Rom-Com Two Strangers Plans Fall Opening on Broadway". The New York Times. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  18. Hetrick, Adam (14 January 2008). "London Hairspray Breaks Record With 11 Olivier Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  19. "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  20. "2026 Tony Award® Nominations Announced". American Theatre Wing. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  21. Hall, Margaret (24 February 2025). "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) to Release Broadway Cast Album". Playbill.
  22. Rook, Olivia (12 January 2024). "'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)' to transfer to the West End". London Theatre. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  23. "Home". romeojuliet2021.com.
  24. "Short Film Review: Four Minute Warning: A Bottle Film That Banks on Comedy to Drive Home a Significant Message - Indie Shorts Mag". 26 April 2021.
  25. "2019 Results | Critics' Circle Theatre Awards". 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  26. "20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards winners include Andrew Scott, Claire Foy, Come From Away and Six". WhatsOnStage. March 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  27. "Winners of Mousetrap Awards 2020 announced including Dear Evan Hansen & Sir Ian McKellen". Official London Theatre. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  28. "Olivier Awards on Twitter The Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical goes to…". Twitter. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  29. "The Stage Debut Awards". The Stage. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  30. "The Stage Debut Awards". The Stage. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  31. Russo, Gillian (11 May 2026). "2026 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  32. "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  33. Culwell-Block, Logan (29 April 2026). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  34. "Chess, Schmigadoon! & Two Strangers Lead 2026 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Nominations—Vote Now". 4 May 2026.
  35. Culwell-Block, Logan (5 May 2026). "Tony Nominations 2026, Read the Complete List; The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! Lead". Playbill.
  36. Mandell, Jonathan (1 June 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween". New York Theater. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
External links