Daveed Diggs has had quite a run: After making his star-making Broadway debut in Hamilton last year, the clipping. rapper won critical acclaim and even a Tony Award for his dual roles as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. Now, though, Diggs will be leaving the production, and soon—his departure date is July 15. The sudden announcement comes less than a week after the original cast said goodbye to leads Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, and Leslie Odom Jr.
Diggs, who has been a part of Hamilton since its early trial runs at Vassar, is perhaps best known for his ability to rap at incredible speeds, including Hamilton’s fastest lyric, which sees Lafayette spit 19 words in three seconds (with a French accent, no less). He told the Observer earlier this year, “I had never done Broadway before and I didn’t really think I was doing Broadway. I didn’t aspire to be on Broadway.” Nonetheless, it was no surprise when Diggs snagged the Tony for Best Supporting Actor this year, beating out Hamilton costars Christopher Jackson and Jonathan Groff.
Diggs’ roles will be filled by understudies Andrew Chappelle, Austin Smith, and Seth Stewart until a new actor is cast.
