Raza Jaffrey and Jaime Cepero Will Not Return for Second Season of Smash

NBC’s Broadway-themed series Smash may have been renewed for a second season, but it’s curtains for two of the show's stars. Raza Jaffrey (Dev) and Jaime Cepero (Ellis) will not be a part of next season, according to EW.com. The second season will include at least 15 episodes, under the supervision of new showrunner Josh Safran, and follows the Bombshell musical's Broadway opening. No premiere date for season two has been set.

Smash centers on Broadway newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) and showbiz vet Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty). Both actresses are vying for the lead role of Marilyn in a musical about the life of screen icon Marilyn Monroe. The series details the process of bringing a Broadway musical to life, and features original music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

 Jaffrey played the boyfriend of Karen, while Cepero played an assistant hoping to scheme his way to the top.

In addition to McPhee and Hilty, Smash stars Emmy winner Debra Messing as Julia Houston, Jack Davenport as Derek Wills, two-time Tony nominee Christian Borle (current star of Peter and the Starcatcher) as Tom Levitt, Tony nominee Brian d’Arcy James as Frank Houston and Oscar winner Anjelica Huston as Eileen Rand.


Jaffrey is currently appearing as Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago.