Julian Ovenden Will Play JFK on Second Season of NBC's "Smash"; New Season Two Trailer Released

By Michael Gioia
07 Jan 2013

Julian Ovenden
Julian Ovenden

Julian Ovenden, who was seen on Broadway in Butley, has landed a recurring role on the second season of the NBC musical drama "Smash," according to TVLine.com.

Ovenden, who appeared in the world premiere of the new musical Finding Neverland last fall and was seen in Off-Broadway's Death Takes a Holiday, will play Simon, the actor cast as John F. Kennedy in the Marilyn Monroe musical Bombshell. 

He will join previously announced Season Two additions "Hairspray" actress Nikki Blonsky, former Rent co-stars Jesse L. Martin and Daphne Rubin-Vega, Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, Tony Award nominees Jeremy Jordan and Sean Hayes, and Andy Mientus of Off-Broadway's Carrie, among others.

For the series' second season, Josh Safran succeeds Theresa Rebeck (Seminar) as showrunner — the person in charge of all aspects of the story.

Before "Smash" returns to NBC, read Playbill.com's weekly recap of the series, The "Smash" Report, beginning with the show's Season One finale.

"Smash" will return Feb. 5. Watch the newly released trailer: