International

‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ To Receive Live Musical TV Special Ahead of Sequel Release

Hollywood, CA – The Emerald City is coming to your living room. Ahead of the highly anticipated release of WICKED: FOR GOOD, NBC has announced a live musical TV special fronted by stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, set to air on NBC and Peacock in the U.S. this November.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Butera arrive at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures’ ‘Wicked’ held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center on November 9, 2024 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency)

Titled WICKED: FOR GOOD – Event Special, the production will be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, featuring performances of fan-favourite numbers from the beloved musical. While a UK broadcaster is yet to be confirmed, international audiences can expect similar access around the same time.

The special marks the next major step in Universal’s promotional campaign for WICKED: FOR GOOD, the cinematic sequel to 2024’s blockbuster hit WICKED. Despite the ongoing wait for a full trailer, excitement is building rapidly — and this live event promises to give fans a taste of what’s in store.

Broadway Magic Meets Hollywood Spectacle

The live event will see Erivo and Grande, who portray Elphaba and Glinda respectively, joined by special guests for what’s billed as an “unmissable television event”. Viewers can expect lavish performances, new interpretations of Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score, and likely appearances by other cast members from the upcoming film.

Adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the two-part film saga explores the untold backstory of the witches of Oz — charting the friendship and eventual divergence of two magical women: one who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, the other Glinda the Good.

Awards, Anticipation and a Franchise Reimagined

Directed by Jon M. Chu, WICKED made a sensational splash at the 2025 Academy Awards, picking up two Oscars for Best Costume Design (Paul Tazewell) and Production Design (Nathan Crowley), and securing ten nominations overall. Erivo and Grande both received acting nods, with Erivo nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Grande recognised for Best Supporting Actress.

The screenplay is the result of a high-profile collaboration between original Broadway creatives Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, alongside screenwriter Dana Fox. With critical acclaim, box office success, and a new generation of fans on board, the WICKED franchise is fast becoming a cornerstone of modern musical cinema.

What to Expect from the TV Special

While full details remain under wraps, the live musical special is expected to feature iconic numbers such as “Defying Gravity”, “Popular”, and “For Good”. Given the scope of the production and its prime-time platform, the event is shaping up to be a dazzling fusion of Broadway showmanship and cinematic flair.

As the second film’s release date — 21 November 2025 — draws closer, the special will serve as both a celebration and a strategic spotlight, reminding the world that in Oz, friendships are powerful, destinies are intertwined, and nothing is ever quite what it seems.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com

Belaid S

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