Off-Broadway alum Andy Mientus has signed on to play Kyle, an aspiring musical theater writer from Brooklyn, on the second season of Smash, according to TVLine.com. Mientus will appear as the best friend of Jimmy, played by previously announced Smash newcomer Jeremy Jordan, the Tony-nominated star of Newsies. Smash is set to return to NBC in early 2013.



Smash follows the creative process of bringing a musical about Marilyn Monroe’s life to Broadway. Starring Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, Debra Messing and Tony winner Christian Borle, the series premiered in February and ended its first season in May. Four cast members, including Broadway alums Will Chase and Brian D’Arcy James, have departed the series. In addition to Mientus and Jordan, American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson has also signed on for season two.



Mientus has appeared off-Broadway in Carrie, played Hanschen in the national tour of Spring Awakening and appeared in Shine! at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He starred in an industry reading of Bare, helmed by Stafford Arima. Mientus will make his TV debut in Smash.