It feels like a lifetime since we first watched Kimmy Schmidt stumble out of a bunker and into the blinding neon chaos of New York City. Honestly, that yellow sweater and those glowing sneakers are basically burned into my retinas. But looking at the cast of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt now, in early 2026, it’s wild to see how much has changed while everything somehow stays the same.
You’ve got the breakout stars who became household names and the veterans who just keeps winning. The show didn't just give us "Peeno Noir." It gave us a group of actors who redefined what weird, hopeful comedy looks like on streaming.
Ellie Kemper’s Pivot to Broadway and Beyond
Ellie Kemper didn't just disappear after Kimmy found her footing. While we all know her as the bubbly redhead who survived a cult, she’s spent the last couple of years proving she’s got some serious range beyond the "unbreakable" optimism.
Last year, she made a massive splash by making her Broadway debut. She joined the cast of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, playing the role of Francis. If you haven't seen that show, it’s basically organized chaos—perfect for someone with Kemper’s physical comedy chops. She also spent a good chunk of 2025 as the face of a massive Kohl’s campaign. It’s a bit different from escaping a bunker, sure, but she’s still got that "everywoman" charm that makes you want to buy whatever she’s selling.
She’s also been leaning hard into voice acting. You might have heard her as Mary in The Simpsons or as Ingrid in Central Park. She's busy raising her two sons with her husband, Michael Koman, who happens to be the comedy brain behind Nathan for You. Life is full.
The Tituss Burgess Era is Just Getting Started
If there’s one person from the cast of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt who feels like they’re constantly on the verge of taking over the entire world, it’s Tituss Burgess. The man is a force.
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Right now, he’s absolutely crushing it on Broadway in the hit play Oh, Mary!. He took over the lead role of Mary Todd Lincoln—yeah, you read that right—from Cole Escola. Critics are basically losing their minds over it. It’s high-camp, high-energy, and exactly the kind of thing Titus Andromedon would have sold his soul for.
Beyond the stage, Tituss has been making moves behind the scenes. He actually wrote the music and lyrics for a musical adaptation of The Preacher’s Wife, which had its big debut in 2024. He’s not just an actor anymore; he’s a full-blown composer. Between that and his roles in films like Respect and Dolemite Is My Name, he’s easily one of the most successful alumni from the show.
Jane Krakowski: The Queen of High Society (and Game Shows)
Jane Krakowski is basically the human personification of "more is more." As Jacqueline White, she was the insecure socialite we all loved to judge. In 2026, Jane is somehow everywhere at once.
Recent Projects
- Oh, Mary! on Broadway: She’s currently starring alongside Tituss Burgess as Mary Todd Lincoln. Yes, they’re in the same show again. The chemistry is still legendary.
- Name That Tune: She’s still hosting the reboot of the classic game show. She brings that Jenna Maroney energy to every episode.
- Schmigadoon!: She was a standout in both seasons of this musical parody series on Apple TV+.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing that specific blend of vanity and vulnerability to a character like she does. She’s currently extended her run in Oh, Mary! through the first half of 2026 because the demand is just that high.
Carol Kane’s Late-Career Masterclass
We need to talk about Carol Kane. While she played the chaotic, gentrification-hating Lillian Kaushtupper, she’s been doing some of the best work of her entire career lately.
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In 2024, she starred in a movie called Between the Temples opposite Jason Schwartzman. She plays a 70-year-old woman who wants to have a late-in-life bat mitzvah. It’s a beautiful, weird, improvisational film that’s been cleaning up at award ceremonies. People are actually talking about it as a potential record-breaker for the longest gap between Oscar nominations for an actress.
She’s also still a regular in the Star Trek universe. She plays Pelia in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, bringing that signature Carol Kane rasp to the final frontier. She’s 73 and basically more active than most 20-somethings in Hollywood.
What About the Rest of the Bunker Dwellers?
The cast of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was deep. It wasn't just the main four.
Jon Hamm, who played the terrifyingly charismatic Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, has stayed incredibly busy. From Good Omens to Fargo, he’s managed to shed the Don Draper image by playing increasingly weird and dark characters. He's one of those actors who clearly loves not being the "handsome lead" for a change.
Then there’s Dylan Gelula, who played the quintessential teen nightmare Xanthippe. She’s become an indie darling, starring in movies like Shithouse and appearing in the final seasons of Shameless. She has this "too cool for school" vibe that has translated perfectly into a steady career in prestige television.
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Why the Show Still Matters in 2026
It’s weirdly prophetic how Kimmy Schmidt dealt with trauma through bright colors and jokes. In a world that feels increasingly like a weird bunker, her brand of "ten seconds at a time" resilience actually holds up.
Most people don't realize that the show was originally supposed to be on NBC. It got moved to Netflix at the last second, which is probably why it was allowed to be as strange as it was. If it had stayed on network TV, we probably wouldn't have gotten the "Boobs in California" song or half the jokes about Lillian’s past.
Catching Up with the Cast
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Kimmy Schmidt or just see what the actors are doing now, here are the best places to start:
- Watch the Interactive Special: If you missed Kimmy vs. the Reverend on Netflix, go back and play it. It’s the closest we’ll get to a reunion, and it features Daniel Radcliffe.
- See Them on Broadway: If you’re in New York, Oh, Mary! is the hottest ticket in town right now for a reason.
- Check Out "Between the Temples": For a completely different side of Carol Kane, this movie is a must-watch.
- Follow Tituss Burgess on Socials: He is genuinely one of the funniest people on the internet, and his behind-the-scenes content is gold.
The cast of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt didn't just move on; they leveled up. They took the momentum of a cult-hit comedy and turned it into a decade of incredible work across theater, film, and television. Kimmy would be proud.
Next Steps for Fans:
Start by watching the 2020 interactive special Kimmy vs. the Reverend on Netflix to see the original cast together one last time. From there, track down Carol Kane's Between the Temples to see her recent award-winning performance. If you are in New York City before July 2026, secure tickets for Oh, Mary! at the Lyceum Theatre to see Tituss Burgess and Jane Krakowski reunite on stage.