The scarecrow featured in Wicked is named Fiyero and serves as Elphaba’s romantic partner.

Audiences may recall that in The Wizard of Oz, we meet the scarecrow as merely the scarecrow lacking his own intellect, yet Wicked delves considerably deeper into the character’s true identity.

Fiyero was originally a Winkie prince who came to Elphaba’s aid during her escape attempt. However, Elphaba subsequently performs a spell to rescue him, which causes his transformation into a scarecrow.

The transformation occurs during the musical number No Good Deed. Subsequently in both the stage production and film adaptation, Elphaba is shown staging her own death after becoming notorious as the Wicked Witch of the West, before escaping Oz alongside Fiyero in his scarecrow form.

The scarecrow character is actually brought to life by Jonathan Bailey, with some viewers questioning whether his transformation was achieved through practical effects or computer-generated imagery.

One viewer commented on Reddit: “The scarecrow and tinman are NOT CGI”, explaining: “The scarecrow took 3-4 hrs in hair, makeup and prosthetics. Both actors have gone on record, several times discussing the process.”

Another remarked: “It’s phenomenal really, they did so well! ! !”.

A third wrote: “Lol not me wishing they’d used more cgi for the scarecrow. Him appearing on screen was like a jump scare! Not a fan of the design at all.”

Numerous viewers were taken aback by the scarecrow’s unsettling appearance, with one person commenting: “I actually loved the slightly horrific nature of the tin man and scarecrow transformations, genuinely scary asf.”

Another agreed: “Just watched it last night and Fiyero as the scarecrow made me want hrow up I mean he still looks like Jonathan Bailey but I think it’s more so the fact the the sack part looks like skin while also looking like a burlap sack it’s very uncanny valley to me or maybe it’s trypophobia.”

Jonathan Bailey is an English actor best recognised for his portrayal of Lord Anthony Bridgerton in the period drama Bridgerton. His credits also include appearances in Broadchurch and Fellow Travelers.