The cast reveal for "SIX, the Broadway musical, was released Jan. 16, prompting mixed reactions from fans. The fifth cast of “SIX" is set to debut Feb. 16 at the Lena Horne Theater in New York City.
The full cast includes returning cast members Adrianna Hicks as Catherine of Aragon, Anna Uzele as Catherine Parr, Olivia Donaldson as Anne of Cleves and Jasmine Forsberg as Jane Seymour.
New to the cast list is influencer and singer Dylan Mulvaney as Anne Boleyn, and singer-songwriter Abigail Barlow as Katherine Howard.
Abigail Barlow is a Grammy winner best known for producing “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” and songs in “Moana 2.”
Mulvaney is best known for covering the details of her transition online and speaking openly about her experience as a transgender woman to her 9 million TikTok followers. Following the casting announcement, many people online expressed displeasure with Mulvaney playing the role, often due to her gender identity.
The comment sections of both Mulvaney's social media and the official social media accounts of “SIX" received swarms of hateful comments, most containing rude or transphobic language.
The producers of SIX released a statement condemning the backlash and hurtful comments. They also privatized their X account, restricting access unless approved as a follower.
“The producers of ‘SIX' have chosen to temporarily limit access to the Broadway production’s X account following a number of comments made in response to recent Broadway casting news, which we felt crossed the line into bullying,” the production team said in the statement. “Threatening or abusive behavior is never acceptable. As a production, we unequivocally condemn bullying in all its forms.”
Mulvaney released her own personal statement on Instagram, according to Playbill, which was eventually removed.
“Being a trans person in 2026, when this world is working against us in what feels like every way ... for me to be able to step out onto a Broadway stage as Anne Boleyn and perform an iconic historical character's role in a show that is so rooted in celebrating femininity, I think that's a miracle,” Mulvaney said in the statement. “If there are any queer or trans kids watching, I just want you to know that you can literally do anything.”
“SIX" currently has links to fundraisers for transgender organizations and movements, such as the Trans Cultural District, LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund, Black Trans Liberation and more on its Linktree, showing its support for transgender people.
Mulvaney is not the first transgender individual to hold a role on Broadway. Angelica Ross, L Morgan Lee, Alexandra Billings and more have held roles in shows such as “Chicago,“ “A Strange Loop” and “Wicked," respectively.
Mulvaney has been involved in theater for years, holding the role of Elder White in the nine-time Tony award-winning musical “The Book of Mormon from 2012 to 2020. In 2023 and 2024, she released four singles as an independent artist, showcasing her vocal talent.
One single released by Mulvaney, “Days of Girlhood,” received negative feedback due to the lyrics’ “cringey” nature, which caused negative associations for many between Mulvaney and musical talent. This previously disliked song also played a role in the backlash she received due to the casting.
In the meantime, Mulvaney has been posting behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals on her social media, teasing the debut of the new cast in February and gathering excitement from fans.
Influencers such as Trisha Paytas and Chris Olsen both showed public support for Mulvaney on Instagram. The TikTok post announcing Mulvaney’s casting currently has over 2 million views and 200,000 likes.
“Wait, you’re so perfect for Anne Boleyn,” one TikTok comment said. “I’ll have to come see it again!”
“SIX” is touring the U.S. throughout 2026, with the first shows starting in late January in various Texas cities. The musical also remains on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theater throughout the year.
@trademarkjens
