British Hunk Julian Ovenden Lands a Presidential Role on Smash's Second Season

A studly British man is taking over the White House. English actor Julian Ovenden has won a pivotal role on the second season of NBC’s Broadway dramedy Smash, reports TVLine. Ovenden will appear in multiple episodes as Simon, an actor who lands the role of John F. Kennedy opposite Karen Cartwright’s (Katharine McPhee) Marilyn Monroe in the fictional musical Bombshell. 

The second season of Smash, which returns on February 5, will also feature newcomers Jeremy Jordan, Jennifer Hudson, Krysta Rodriguez and Andy Mientus, as well as guest spots from Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jesse L. Martin, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Nikki Blonsky, Harvey Fierstein and more.

Ovenden is known to British audiences for his TV roles on Foyle’s War and Any Human Heart. He made his Broadway debut in Butley and headlined the off-Broadway musical Death Takes a Holiday. His U.K. stage credits including Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel and Annie Get Your Gun. Ovenden also recently originated the role of J.M. Barrie in the new musical adaptation of Finding Neverland.

Sure, Ovenden may be British, but he shouldn't have trouble playing an American icon. Just watch him perform "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from the uber-American musical Oklahoma below!