Broadway lightning rarely hits but when it does, it can alter lives forever. That’s precisely what occurred when “Hamilton” lit up the world in 2015, launching its cast from skilled theatre professionals to household names with worldwide followings. Almost a decade on, the enchantment never waned it transformed.
From Oscars to number one albums, from Marvel franchises to Tony Awards, the original cast members have been keeping themselves busy redefining their own narratives. Their career paths now traverse film, television, music, and, of course, successful back-to-the-stage stints. And with 10th anniversary celebrations for the show still fresh in everyone’s mind, the world is once again witnessing them do their magic. Here’s a glimpse at how these stars have maintained the limelight aglow frequently in surprising, uplifting manners.
1. Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Unrelenting Creator
Lin-Manuel Miranda has not taken his foot off the pedal since parting with “Hamilton” in 2016. He’s written Oscar-nominated tunes for Disney blockbusters such as “Moana” and “Encanto”, acted in “Mary Poppins Returns”, and scored “Mufasa: The Lion King”. His directorial label, “tick, tick…BOOM!”, received critical acclaim, and he’s continued acting with roles in “His Dark Materials” and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”. In 2024, he collaborated with Eisa Davis on the concept album “Warriors”, and earlier this year, he returned to Broadway with “All In: Comedy About Love”. Next up? A romantic comedy, “The Making Of”, with Diane Keaton and Richard Gere. For Miranda, the creative machine never slows.
2. Leslie Odom Jr.: From Burr to Broadway Boss
Leslie Odom Jr.’s performance as Aaron Burr earned him a Tony and led to a series of powerhouse performances. He’s played Sam Cooke in “One Night in Miami…”, for which he received two Oscar nominations, and has been seen in “Glass Onion”, “Harriet”, and “Murder on the Orient Express”. His voice-over work in “Central Park” earned Emmy nominations, while his albums, from “Simply Christmas” through “When a Crooner Dies”, prove he has range, too. In 2023, he both produced and appeared in “Purlie Victorious”, receiving dual Tony nominations. He’ll return to “Hamilton” this September for a limited engagement, closing the circle on his journey.
3. Renée Elise Goldsberry: Always ‘Satisfied’
Renée Elise Goldsberry’s Angelica Schuyler was not to be forgotten, and her career since “Hamilton” has been just as exciting. She’s appeared in “Girls5eva”, “Altered Carbon”, and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, and even provided voices for characters in “Fast & Furious: Spy Racers”.
In 2023, she starred as Prospero in “The Tempest”, and in 2024 released her album “Who I Really Am”, which included 13 original songs and a new rendition of “Satisfied.” She’ll be back on Broadway in 2026 in David Lindsay-Abaire’s “The Balusters” evidence she’s still a powerhouse on and off stage.
4. Phillipa Soo: Leading Lady Across Mediums
Phillipa Soo has had no trouble dividing her time between Broadway and screen appearances. Following “Hamilton”, she starred in “Amélie”, acted opposite Cynthia Nixon in “The Parisian Woman”, and provided the voice of Chang’e, the moon goddess, for “Over the Moon”. She’s had roles in “Dopesick”, “Shining Girls”, and now stars in Ryan Murphy’s drama series “Doctor Odyssey”. In 2025, she dazzled crowds in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl, and she’ll next star in “High Spirits” at City Center. In a Victorian gown or scrubs, Soo’s versatility keeps her busy.
5. Jasmine Cephas Jones: Making Emmy History
Jasmine Cephas Jones turned her dual roles in Hamilton into a springboard for a rich screen career. She led and produced the Blindspotting TV spinoff, starred in Ava DuVernay’s Origin, and made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama. Her music career is thriving too, with her 2024 album Phoenix and a feature on Miranda’s Warriors. She’s carved out a path that’s equal parts acting and artistry.
6. Anthony Ramos: From the Heights to Hollywood
Anthony Ramos has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most bankable up-and-coming stars. Following a reprisal of Usnavi in the “In the Heights” movie, he’s acted in “A Star Is Born”, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”, and the 2024 box office smash “Twisters”. He’s also joining the Marvel universe in “Ironheart” and leading the cast of Ryan Murphy’s “The Beauty”. As a recording artist, his albums “The Good & the Bad” and “Love and Lies” display his pop-R&B skills. Ramos’s career is a testament to range and momentum.
7. Daveed Diggs: Unencumbered Storyteller
Daveed Diggs has kept onlookers on their toes with his genre-bending options. He co-created and starred in “Blindspotting”, produced the TV spinoff, and turned in memorable turns on “Snowpiercer”, “The Good Lord Bird”, and “The Nickel Boys”. His voice acting ranges from “Soul” to “The Little Mermaid”, and he’s appearing in the last season of “The Boys”. Diggs continues to merge activism, creativity, and genre-bending initiatives, making him among the most multifaceted graduates.
8. Christopher Jackson: Broadway’s Steady Heartbeat
Christopher Jackson’s post Hamilton path has been rich with TV work, including Bull and And Just Like That, but his heart remains on stage. Now starring in Alicia Keys’s Hell’s Kitchen, Jackson told People, Being in the theatre is home… it’s a special kind of communion. He’s also developing The Crossover, a new musical, and mentoring his daughter as she eyes a performing career. At nearly 50, Jackson is embracing fresh challenges while honoring the roots that shaped him.
9. Jonathan Groff: A Long-Awaited Tony Victory
Jonathan Groff’s King George III was legendary, but his 2024 Tony victory for “Merrily We Roll Along” was a career highlight. His acceptance speech, which was filled with emotion, acknowledged co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez as “soulmates.” Groff’s stage career in “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Just In Time” has maintained his place in the Broadway limelight, while his television credits from “Mindhunter” to “Doctor Who” demonstrate his diversity. All those years of nominations finally culminated in Groff being handed the crown he’s so long deserved.
10. Ariana DeBose and the Ensemble’s Glow-Up
Ariana DeBose transitioned from “Hamilton” ensemble to Oscar victor for “West Side Story”, and she’s since become a regular awards host and action hero. Other members of the ensemble have fared well too: Ephraim Sykes received a Tony nomination for “Ain’t Too Proud”, Emmy Raver-Lampman appeared in “The Umbrella Academy”, and Thayne Jasperson is still in “Hamilton” nearly a decade on. Their disparate trajectories serve to show that the show’s magic wasn’t exclusive to its stars. Almost a decade later, the original cast of “Hamilton” continues to influence culture on Broadway, in Hollywood, and everywhere in between. Their after-show lives are a masterclass in taking momentum, accepting new challenges, and remaining loyal to their craft. If the last decade is any guide, there are still many more verses in their narratives.
