Luke Evans may have recently stepped out of Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s heels, but his departure from The Rocky Horror Showbecame part of a much more emotional Broadway moment than anyone could have expected.
Luke Evans finished his run as the deliciously outrageous sweet transvestite on August 23 after taking on the iconic role earlier this year. His performance even earned him a Tony Award nomination, proving that the Welsh actor could do far more than simply look fabulous in fishnets.
Although, let’s be honest, he did that rather well, too.
Just days after Evans left the production, the Rocky Horror family was brought together by the death of Tim Curry, the legendary performer who originated Dr. Frank-N-Furter onstage and forever immortalized the character in the 1975 film. Curry died at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped generations of performers, fans, outsiders, weirdos, and proudly unconventional souls.
READ: From Fishnets to Fear, Tim Curry Did It All
Three Franks, One Emotional Goodbye
The Broadway production paid tribute to Curry in a particularly moving way.
Evans returned to join current Frank-N-Furter Paul Soileau and incoming Jake Shears, who will officially take over the role on September 11. Together with the company, the three performers sang I’m Going Home in honor of the man who started it all.
It was a rare and emotional meeting of Frank-N-Furters past, present, and future.
Three Frank-N-Furters, Paul Soileau, Jake Shears and Luke Evans, join the Broadway company of The Rocky Horror Show for a performance of “I’m Going Home” in honor of Tim Curry 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tjjqAesvUe
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) August 28, 2026
Soileau is currently carrying the fishnet-covered torch through September 10, after which Scissor Sisters frontman and former Kinky Boots star Shears will step into those famous heels.
And really, is there any role with a more intimidating legacy?
READ: ‘Strange Journey’ Explores How ‘Rocky Horror’ Became a Cultural Phenomenon
Evans Had One Last Message for Tim
Before leaving the production, Evans had already written Curry a deeply personal letter.
The actor reflected on what it meant to follow in the footsteps of the man who created Frank-N-Furter, acknowledging that every performer who takes on the role inevitably enters into a conversation that Curry began more than five decades ago.
Evans also described being compared to Curry as one of the greatest compliments of his career, while making it clear that the original Frank remains completely in a league of his own. His final thought was especially touching: he hoped that, wherever Curry was, the legendary actor might approve of another Frank having the time of his life in those famous heels.
And honestly, if there is an afterlife with decent lighting, we hope Tim is somewhere watching.
But Evans Isn’t Going Anywhere
Hanging up the fishnets does not mean Evans is disappearing from our screens.
The actor will next star in The Party, a five-part ITV psychological drama adapted from Elizabeth Day’s novel, alongside Tom Cullen. Evans plays journalist Martin Gilmour, whose complicated friendship with Cullen’s charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice sits at the center of the story.
So yes, we may have lost Evans’ Frank-N-Furter.
But the heels have been passed along, Jake Shears is waiting in the wings, and Tim Curry’s influence remains impossible to separate from Rocky Horror.
There may be new Franks putting on the fishnets.
But, as Evans himself so beautifully recognized, there will only ever be one Tim Curry.