Julia Knitel

Julia Nicole Knitel (born January 30, 1993) is an American actress and singer known for her work in theater. In 2025, she was nominated for her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Maggie/Helen in Dead Outlaw.

Early life and career Knitel was born and raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and was introduced to the arts at a young age by her parents who were actors. Knitel was a 2009 Jimmy Awards nominee for her performance as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Fair Lawn High School and performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse as a child.

Broadway and performing career In 2009, Knitel made her Broadway debut at age sixteen in the ensemble of the revival of Bye Bye Birdie at the Henry Miller Theatre.

She played the lead role of Carole King in the biographical musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway and on tour. She also played the role of Janice in Come from Away on tour. In 2018, she played Louise opposite Beth Leavel as Mama Rose in a production of Gypsy at The Muny in St. Louis. Also in 2018 she starred in the Off-Broadway musical Letter to Harvey Milk as Barbara Katsef, for which she was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical.

In 2024, she originated the dual roles of Millicent / Maggie / Helen in the Off-Broadway musical Dead Outlaw, and reprised the role in the 2025 Broadway production. She was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award for her performance.

In February 2026, it was announced that she would be taking over the role of Ewen Montagu & Others in the Broadway production of Operation Mincemeat from original cast member and writer Natasha Hodgson.

Personal life Knitel married actor P.J. Adzima and separated in 2025.

Stage

Awards and nominations