A Look Back at the Legacy of I’d Do Anything
The talent show I’d Do Anything captured the hearts of audiences in 2008 as it searched for the perfect actress to play Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!. Hosted by Graham Norton, the show was judged by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, who sat on his golden throne. The series built upon the success of previous shows such as How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do, offering a platform for aspiring actors to showcase their talents.
With a panel of star-studded judges and weekly acting challenges, the show launched the careers of many participants. Despite its short run, several notable names emerged from the competition, including the winner, Jodie Prenger, and future Oscar winner Jessie Buckley.
Here, we take a closer look at the varied paths taken by the cast of I’d Do Anything.
Jessie Buckley: From Runner-Up to Hollywood Star
Jessie Buckley was the runner-up of the series but has since become a household name in Hollywood. In 2018, she made her breakthrough with the musical film Wild Rose, which earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She later received nominations for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Lost Daughter (2021).
In 2021, she won a Laurence Olivier Award for her role as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on the West End. Her other credits include War & Peace, Chernobyl, Women Talking, and Fargo. At the 2026 Oscars, Buckley made history as the first Irish woman to win Best Actress, taking home the award for her performance in Hamnet.
During her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to her home country by speaking in Gaelic, saying, “Go raibh maith agaibh, slán,” which translates to “Thank you very much, goodbye.” Earlier that year, she received accolades at the Actor Awards, BAFTAs, Critics’ Choice Awards, and Golden Globes for her emotional performance in the drama.
Jodie Prenger: From Winner to Soap Star
Jodie Prenger, the winner of I’d Do Anything, went on to star in Oliver! on the West End. She later appeared in Spamalot, Tell Me On A Sunday, and Fat Friends. Her theatre credits also include Calamity Jane, Annie, and One Man, Two Guvnors.
In 2022, she joined the cast of Coronation Street as Glenda Shuttleworth. She has also appeared in Waterloo Road and served as a guest panellist on Loose Women. Jodie’s role in A Taste of Honey was inspired by her love for early episodes of Coronation Street.
When she joined the show, Jodie described it as fulfilling her “lifelong dream” of starring in a soap. She said her character would fit into Corrie’s tradition of “Northern powerhouse women,” adding, “Oh, she’s a whirlwind. She’s bold, she’s funny and as for her choice in clothes, they’ll be on the Paris catwalks next year.”
Samantha Barks: Broadway Star and Film Icon
Samantha Barks finished in third place on I’d Do Anything but went on to make a name for herself on Broadway. She led the world premiere of Pretty Woman and made her film debut in Les Misérables (2012) as Éponine. She also starred in the Disney Channel musical-comedy Groove High and was a judge on Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream.
From 2021 to 2024, she played Elsa in the West End production of Frozen. In October 2025, she joined the cast of the world premiere of The Greatest Showman as Charity Barnum.
Tara Bethan: From Elimination to Stage Success
Tara Bethan was voted out of the show after performing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. However, this did not stop her from pursuing a successful career. She went on to tour with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and appeared in Bugsy Malone at the Queen’s Theatre in London.
From 2011 to 2016, she played a role in the Welsh language soap opera Pobol Y Cwm. More recently, she was a judge on Junior Eurovision: Chwilio am Seren, a talent search show aimed at finding the next young Eurovision representative for Wales.
Amy Booth-Steel: A Stage Career Filled with Triumph
Despite being the first ‘Nancy’ to leave the competition, Amy Booth-Steel has built a successful stage career. She landed a role in Sister Act the following year and played Piper in The Light Princess. In 2019, she wrote and starred in a one-woman show called #HonestAmy at the Edinburgh Fringe, which chronicled her experience with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
More recently, she played Queenie Hennessy in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and is currently starring as Lady Sloane in Paddington The Musical.
Francesca Jackson: From Elimination to Musical Stardom
Francesca Jackson was the fourth person to be eliminated on the BBC show. Since then, she has appeared in several musicals, including Can’t Smile Without You alongside Chesney Hawkes and Siobhan Dillon. In 2009, she toured with Dreamboats and Petticoats and played Sue in the show.
She later performed in A Little Night Music in Paris alongside Lambert Wilson, Leslie Caron, and Greta Sacchi. In 2021, she appeared in the West End production of Tina The Musical as Rhonda Graam.
Sarah Lark: A Journey Through Theatre
Sarah Lark was a finalist on the show and was the sixth to be eliminated. Afterward, she participated in the I’d Do Anything tours with Ashley Russell, Keisha Amponsa-Banson, and Niamh Perry. From June 2012 to July 2015, she appeared in Les Misérables in London.
Ashley J Russell: A Global Stage Presence
Ashley J Russell has appeared in fan-favourite musicals around the world since her time on the BBC show. She was part of the first workshops for the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies. In 2025, she featured in the world premiere of Wild Rose.
Rachel Tucker: From Finalist to Iconic Roles
Rachel Tucker made it to the finals week, where she was the ninth to be eliminated. After the show, she played iconic roles on stage, including Elphaba in Wicked. She has also appeared in Songs For a New World, We Will Rock You, and John and Jen.
Most recently, she played Myrtle Wilson in the West End production of The Great Gatsby in 2025.
