‘Rent: Live’ Cast on Fox: Who’s Who, From Vanessa Hudgens to Brennin Hunt

By Meghan O'Keefe @megsokay

Published Jan. 25, 2019, 8:30 a.m. ET

images of the cast of rent- live — A whole new generation is about to discover the allure of Jonathan Larson's *Rent* when *Rent: Live* airs on FOX this Sunday, January 27.Photo: FOX

Jordan Fisher as Mark in Rent: Live — **Mark Cohen, played by Jordan Fisher** **Who's Mark?** Mark is an aspiring filmmaker and all-around nice guy. He's been moping since his actress girlfriend Maureen left him for Joanne, and he's best friends with roommate Roger. Mark is also the observer of the cast, meaning he feels stuck watching everyone else's lives unfold. **Where You've Seen Jordan Fisher:** Jordan Fisher is an actor, singer, and dancer who got his start on teen and tween shows like *iCarly*, *The Secret Life of the American Teenager*, and *Liv and Maddie*. Fisher also won Season 25 of *Dancing with the Stars* and made his Broadway debut in *Hamilton* in 2016.Photo: FOX

Brennin Hunt as Roger in Rent: Live — **Roger Davis, played by Brennin Hunt** **Who's Roger?** Roger is the tortured romantic of the cast, a former drug addict who is trying to turn his life around after his girlfriend April committed suicide. In her note, April confirmed the two of them were HIV+, which at the time of *Rent*'s writing was seen as a death sentence. A musician, Roger is grappling with his illness by trying to write one great song before he goes. **Where You've Seen Brennin Hunt:** Brennin Hunt might be the biggest unknown in the *Rent: Live* case. He first popped up as a contestant on *The X-Factor* and has had guest spots on shows like *Nashville*. Photo: FOX

Tinashe as Mimi in Rent: Live — **Mimi Marquez, played by Tinashe** **Who's Mimi?** Mimi is an exotic dancer who lives in the same building as Mark and Roger. She has a crush on Roger and decides to shoot her shot when the power gets turned off -- asking if he'll "light her candle." As it turns out, Mimi is also HIV+ and has a history with Benny... **Where You've Seen Tinashe:** Tinashe is a singer, songwriter, and actress who is best-known for her music career. She's released two albums, *Aquarius* and *Joyride*. Last year, she appeared on *Dancing with the Stars*.Photo: FOX

Mario as Benny in Rent: Live — **Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III, played by Mario** **Who's Benny?** Benny used to be friends and roommates with Mark, Roger, and Tom back in the day, but then he married a wealthy girl and bought the building they all lived in together. Now, rather than stick to his deal of giving his friends free-rent, he wants to turn the building into a luxury high-rise, which would displace the homeless community squatting right outside. **Where You've Seen Mario:** Mario is a singer and actor who shot to prominence in the early aughts with songs like "Just a Friend 2002" and "Let Me Love You." As an actor, he's appeared in films such as *Step Up* and the FOX hit show *Empire.*Photo: FOX

Brandon Victor Dixon as Tom Collins in Rent: Live — **Tom Collins, played by Brandon Victor Dixon** **Who's Tom?** Tom is part-time college professor dealing with his own AIDS diagnosis. He is the anarchic intellectual of the group, and his life changes when he gets mugged right outside their building. Saving him from his sorry state is a street performer named Angel. The two of them instantly fall in love. **Where You've Seen Brandon Victor Dixon:** Brandon Victor Dixon is a celebrated Broadway actor and producer. As a performer, he's received multiple Tony nominations, and as a producer, he's won one. TV audiences might remember him from NBC's last big live musical event, *Jesus Christ Superstar*. Dixon played Judas Iscariot and received an Emmy nomination for his work. Photo: FOX

Valentina as Angel in Rent: Live — **Angel Dumont Schunard, played by Valentina** **Who's Angel?** Angel is a good-hearted street performer/drag queen who also has AIDS. She stumbles upon Tom after his mugging and helps him out. The two form an instant passionate connection. **Where You've Seen Valentina:** Valentina is probably most famous for her run on the ninth season of *RuPaul's Drag Race* (where she rather infamously tried to get away with wearing a face mask during a lip sync) and the fourth season of *RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.*Photo: FOX

Kiersey Clemons as Joanne in Rent: Live — **Joanne Jefferson, played by Kiersey Clemons** **Who's Joanne?** Joanne is a pragmatic lawyer who has fallen for new girlfriend Maureen. When she runs into problems organizing Maureen's protest, she turns to Mark, and soon becomes a part of the central friend group. **Where You've Seen Kiersey Clemons:** Kiersey Clemons is an actress and singer (and critical darling) who first garnered attention in the film *Dope*. Her biggest showcase to date however might be in the Nick Offerman film *Hearts Beat Loud*. Photo: FOX

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Since its Broadway debut in 1996, Jonathan Larson’s Rent has been an uber-popular anthem to life, art, passion, and the rebellious spirit of youth. Now Fox is bringing the show to a whole new generation with Rent: Live. It’s just the latest splashy live musical broadcast to grace network television (though it might be the least family friendly of the bunch).

Loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme, Rent focuses on a group of oddball artists struggling to survive in ’90s New York City. It’s not just the economy that’s got them down, though. Half the cast are HIV positive. Indeed, Rent made it its mission to bring attention to the AIDS crisis, which was still raging in the early and mid-’90s.

Rent‘s original Broadway cast included future stars like Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs, and Star Trek: Discovery‘s Anthony Rapp. Fox’s cast is a mix of established stars like Vanessa Hudgens, Mario, and Tinashe, and up-and-coming names like Kiersey Clemons and Jordan Fisher. This weekend’s production also features a RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorite, Valentina. Whether you’re new to the world of Rent or curious about this new cast, here’s your guide to who’s who in Fox’s Rent: Live.

Rent: Live is scheduled to run on Fox this Sunday, January 27, at 8/7 C.