Theatre News

Greg Hicks plays Aegisthus opposite Brie Larson in Daniel Fish’s revival of Elektra at The Duke of Yorks Theatre from January.  The London transfer of Kyoto has also been confirmed for January after its success at the RSC this year. Jenna Augen will reprise the role of Shirley Pearlman at Soho Place with directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin reuniting.  Anita Reynolds joins the cast of Backstroke at the Donmar Warehouse, written and directed by Anna Mackmin and with Tamsin Greig and Celia Imrie playing mother and daughter.  Colm Gormley will next be seen at Hampstead Theatre in An Interrogation written and directed by Jamie Armitage and George Caple returns to Boys From the Blackstuff but this time taking on the main role of Chrissie.  

Openings include James Doherty who leads the cast of the Hans Christian Anderson classic Red Shoes at the RSC this Christmas, Dorothea Myer Bennett who plays Olivia in Twelfth Night at The Orange Tree, Fred Haig who who plays Ernst Ludwig in Rebecca Frecknall’s acclaimed production of Cabaret,  Rhys Rusbatch who returns to the RSC in Prasanna Puwanarajah’s production of Twelfth NightRichard Dempsey in Dr Strangelove at The Noël Coward and Robert Hands who has taken over the role of Myers in Witness For the Prosecution; all playing this Christmas.

Screen 2024

All ‘guaranteed bangers’ according to The Guardian. Its Must See TV List for 2024 begins with a show that could not have caused more of a stir. Despite being one of the biggest miscarriages of justices in history, the British Post Office scandal in which nearly a thousand sub-postmasters were privately prosecuted for theft or fraud in error, has only now gained the public traction it deserves. Watch Amy Cudden as solicitor Izzy Hogg in Mr Bates vs The Post Office streaming now on ITVX. We finally get to see Masters of the Air; the Spielberg/Hanks second world war extravaganza featuring EBA clients Jakob Diehl, Benjamin Dilloway and Robert Hands which will be streaming on Apple TV from January 26th. Jakob Diehl can also be seen as the mysteriously titled Professor in Apple’s The New Look, a drama about how Christian Dior and Coco Chanel created modern fashion from the embers of the second world war, streaming in February. Russel T Davies is back in charge of Doctor Who and whilst we are sworn to secrecy, we can promise some spectacular drama featuring EBA clients in guest roles. Michelle Bonnard will be returning to House of the Dragon on Sky Atlantic in the summer as Madame Sylvie and in what is described as his biggest show yet, Joe Barton’s (Girl/Haji and The Lazarus Project ) new political thriller, Black Doves for Netflix will feature Thomas Coombes.

Other must see shows include James Doherty in Sexy Beast, a prequel series to Jonathan Glazer’s 2000 crime film of the same name, which is set to arrive on Paramount+, late January; Jodie McNee in Breathtaking, Jed Mercurio’s real time drama about being on the on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic on ITVX; Alex Blake in Joan, a new crime drama about notorious jewell thief Joan Hannington also for ITV X; Derek Hutchinson in The Way about a civil uprising that begins in Wales, written by James Graham and directed by Michael Sheen. Sophie Stone who has filmed the comedy horror series Generation Z for Channel 4 and finally Jake Cecil makes his professional debut as Gustave in Season 2 of Interview With A Vampire later this year.

In film news, Josie Walker stars in Kneecap opposite Michael Fassbender, directed by Rich Peppiatt which will receive its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 18th January whilst Gavin Spokes will next be seen in upcoming thriller Cold Storage, directed by Jonny Campbell and expected to be on Studio Canal’s 2024 slate of releases. Happy New Year!

Autumn Stage

Jodie McNee joins the Michael Grandage Company who are bringing Orlando to the West End stage for a strictly limited run. Virginia Woolf’s gender defining historical fiction has been adapted by Neil Bartlett with Emma Corrin in the title role and will play at The Garrick Theatre until February 2023. Mariah Louca, John Mackay and Dan Rabin are all appearing in The Doctor, Robert Icke’s brilliant reimagining of Schnitzler’s 1912 play originally for The Almeida and now playing at the Duke Of Yorks. Also currently appearing in the West End are Tamsin Carroll in 2:22 at the Criterion, Jason Callender in Upstart Crow at the Apollo and Robert Hands and James Doherty in Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre.

Hayley Carmichael in rehearsals for “Super High Resolution”

Gavin Spokes is in rehearsal at The National Theatre for Kerry Jackson, a biting new comedy by April de Angelis whilst Jay Simpson and Colm Gormley also return to The National in Clint Dyer’s Othello playing in The Lyttleton from November. Richard Dempsey has opened in The Almeida’s hit new musical Tammy Faye which runs until December and Hayley Carmichael opens in Soho Theatre’s Super High Resolution, Nathan Ellis’s debut play about being a doctor in the NHS with Blanch McIntyre directing.

Tom Edden has joined Josie Rourke’s production of As You Like It which will open Soho Place , London’s newest theatre. Greg Hick‘s brings Dinner With Groucho Frank McGuinness’ new play to London after its successful premiers at the Dublin and Belfast International Festivals and Justin Avoth joins Witness For the Prosecution at County Hall. Further afield, Jenna Augen has opened on Broadway in Leopoldstadt, Tom Stoppard’s latest play whilst across the Channel Oliver Dench takes on the role of Cliff in Cabaret at the Lido Theatre, Paris and Daniel Crossley joins the cast of 42nd Street at Theatre du Chatelet.

Summer Stage

Gavin Spokes returns to the National Theatre in Kerry Jackson, a new play by April de Angelis with Indhu Rubsingham directing.  Jay Simpson is also going back to The National joining Clint Dyer’s cast of Othello.   John Mackay joins the Almeida Theatre’s production of The Doctor with Robert Icke directing the West End transfer and joins Mariah Louca and Daniel Rabin who reprise their original roles. Kate Fahy is back in the London revival of Moira Buffini’s award winning play Handbagged and Jenna Augen returns to Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt for the Broadway transfer.

Olivia Onyehara is in RSC rehearsals for Blanche McIntyre’s All’s Well That Ends Well in which she plays Diana and Guy Rhys will play Benedict in Sheffield Theatre’s Much Ado About Nothing with Rob Hastie directing.  Openings include Sara Powell in Jamie Lloyd’s The Seagull, Tom Edden in Chichester Festival Theatre’s Crazy For You and Stephen Kennedy and Derek Hutchinson in Deborah Warner’s The Tempest playing at Bath Ustinov.   Robert Hands and James Doherty continue in Come From Away at The Phoenix Theatre and Richard Teverson is at London County Hall in the ever popular Witness For the Prosecution.

New Year Update

Screen View

Belfast, Kenneth Branagh’s acclaimed film which has garnered much awards talk opens across the UK on 21 January and features Josie Walker in the role of Auntie Violet.  Also on general release and opening to brilliant reviews is Boiling Point, a one shot film that takes place during service in a busy London restaurant and with Thomas Coombes playing opposite Stephen Graham as Mr Lovejoy.  Hotel Portofino with Oliver Dench as Lucien premieres on Brit Box at the end of January and Harlan Coban’s Stay Close is now streaming on Netflix starring Cush Jumbo and featuring Aidan Kelly as series reg Rudi.  

Roy Williams drama Screw is showing on Channel 4 with Nicholas Lumley playing prison regular Larry and Daniel Crossley plays Bernard McDonald in Rules of the Game – a four part thriller with Maxine Peake, currently on BBC  iPlayer.  Also on iPlayer and a timely reminder to protect our BBC is Olwyn May in A Very British Scandal, Roger Sloman in Mandy, Thomas Coombes in Eastenders, Joseph May in the fantastic revival of Toast of Tinseltown and for the kids, Emma Handy in The Beaker Girls and Jason Callender in Malory Towers.


Back On Stage

It’s exciting to see some of our ladies leading NT productions as we make our way back to theatre. Tamsin Carroll has opened in Hex (Olivier) Laura Rogers in The Ocean at the End of the Lane (The Duke of York’s West End ) and  Sophie Stone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime (NT Touring). Also, Jodie McNee will be playing Nora in Manchester Royal Exchanges new production of The Doll’s House to be directed by Bryony Shanahan. 

James Doherty returns to the West End in Come From Away and other theatre opening soon includes Tom Edden in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Cyrano (West End & BAM), Joe Sims in Bristol Old Vic’s The Red Lion, and Mariah Louca in Cherry Jezebel a new play which will premiere at Liverpool’s Everyman in February. 

Autumn Watch
Part II

On Screen:

Jodie McNee can be seen in Series 3 of Britannia on Sky and will next be seen in new 4 part ITV drama Hollington Drive which airs from late September. Oliver Dench and Greg Hicks both guest star in Sky Atlantic’s Dominia and watch out for Oliver in the new year in brand new drama Hotel Portofino as well. Josie Walker plays Auntie Violet in Kenneth Branagh’s feature film Belfast which premieres in the UK in November. 

Andrew Koji’s recent feature Snake Eyes is now on general release and will be available on home media in October and Chris Harper appears in The War Below streaming now on Amazon.   Also upcoming on Amazon is thriller All The Old Knives directed by Janus Metz and featuring Karina Wiedman and arrives this autumn. Watch out too for the release of Danny Boyle’s new Sex Pistols drama Lonely Boy based on guitarist Steve Jones’ memoir and in which Jay Simpson plays his abusive stepfather Ron. 

On Stage:

Tamsin Carroll leads the National Theatre production of Hex this Autumn – a twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale,  Rufus Norris directs. Laura Rogers has opened in the Hampstead Theatre revival of The Memory of Water and is currently in rehearsals for the West End transfer of National Theatre production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the Duke of York’s. 
Jenna Augen and Dorothea Myer Bennett return in Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt at The Wyndham’s Theatre and James Doherty is back in Come From Away at The Phoenix Theatre. 

John Mackay and Hayley Carmichael join the cast of HOME in this revival for Chichester Festival of the modern David Storey classic directed by Josh Roche and Patrick Brennan takes the lead role of Phil in Broken Lad, a new play by Robin Hooper directed by Richard Spier at The Arcola. Also this autumn Jordan Mifsúd revives his role as Colbert in While the Sun Shines at the Orange Tree and Christopher Harper returns in the dual roles of Lesgate and Hubbard in the UK tour of Dial M For Murder directed by Anthony Banks.

Spring Production News

Screen

Oliver Dench begins filming Hotel Portofino a new Brits family drama set in Mussolini’s Italy of the 1920s. Jodie McNee joins the cast of Hollington Drive a new 4 part thriller for ITV written by Sophie Petzall. Michelle Bonnard is a new regular in the second season of We Hunt Together filming from next month whilst Josie Walker is cast as a series reg opposite Ben Whishaw in the much anticipated BBC adaptation of Adam Kay’s book This Is Going to Hurt.

The Chelsea Detective is a new 4 part series airing later this year with Sophie Stone playing series reg Ashley Wilton whilst Jason Callender joins the staff as a new teacher in the BBC’s reboot of the classic Mallory Towers.  Sally Scott is currently filming Dalgliesh a new 6 parter based on the PD James novels whilst Amy Cudden has been cast in new Speilberg/ Tom Hanks produced World War II drama Whirlwind.  

Guest roles this spring include Hayley Carmichael and John Mackay in Landscapers a new 4 part drama starring Olivia Colman, Guy Rhys in Ipcress Files the TV remake,  Hywel Morgan is a guest lead over 2 eps of Gentleman Jack playing William Briggs and Jimmy Walker plays the role of Ray Nelson in HBO Max’s adaptation of the bestselling novel The Girl Before. Natalie Radmall Quirke has been cast in Hulu’s upcoming adaption of Sally Rooney’s novel Conversations with Friends and Olwen May plays the main supporting role of Dora in A Very British Scandal: Duchess of Argyll written by Sarah Phelps starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany.  Joseph May joins the reboot of All Creatures Great & Small and Jude Monk McGowan films perennial favourite Call the Midwife.  

In other production news,  Warrior starring Andrew Koji has been recommissioned for a third season in moving over  to HBO Max and Eugene O’Hare joins the cast of Starz drama Outlander which has been commissioned for a 6th season.  

Theatre

As theatres slowly begin to reopen we’re delighted to be able to announce some casting news.  Scott Karim will appear at The Kiln Theatre in The Invisible Hand which Indhu Rubasingham directs in its first major revival. Colm Gormley is back at The Globe for their reopening summer season of As You Like It, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Jordan Mifsúd and Dorothea Myer-Bennett return to The Orange Tree with Paul Miller’s ‘Shaw Shorts’ and Jack James Ryan makes his National Theatre debut in After Life written by Jack Thorne in a co-production with Headlong.  James Doherty is back in the West End in Come From Away Winner of 4 Olivier Awards including Best Musical which plays at the Phoenix Theatre from 22 July.  And following its West End success Home I’m Darling starts a UK Tour this summer with Sandy Foster playing the lead role of Judy. Daniel Crossley, meanwhile,  joins the cast of Talent written by Victoria Wood and playing at the Sheffield Crucible this summer.

Screen Update 2021

Filming on Bullet Train with Andrew Koji continues in LA. Other cast announced alongside Brad Pitt and Andrew include Lady Gaga and Aaron Taylor Johnson. Tomi Ogbaro, meanwhile, begins filming on a new Disney picture with Sam Rockwell and Sorcha Ronan.

Jay Simpson will appear in Danny Boyle’s next project, a six part series for the BBC about punk icons The Sex Pistols. Aidan Kelly has been cast as a regular in Netflix drama Stay Close – an 8 Episode thriller by Harlan Coben. Sophie Stone plays regular Julie in the 2nd series of This Way Up Channel 4, written and starring Aisling Bea whilst Gavin Spokes joins The Ipcress File, a TV remake of the 1960s cold war film. James Doherty and Olwen May film the 2nd series of Trying for Apple TV/BBC, Jim O’Hanlan directs and Carol Macready will appear in the next series of Gentleman Jack in the role of Mrs Norcliffe.

Sara Powell shoots a guest appearance in Ghosts, the hugely popular BBC comedy. Patricia Allison, meanwhile, completes filming on Sex Education and goes onto record the BBC’s annual Christmas Day animation Superworm. Oliver Dench, Jordan Mifsud and Anton Saunders all play guest roles in new crime drama Whitstable coming soon. And on screen too, Jack James Ryan joins Coronation Street as Jacob Hay from February.

TV News

RADA Grad Leah Gayer joins Bloodmoon, the HBO pilot and prequel to Game of Thrones with SJ Clarkson directing early summer. Oliver Dench plays series lead Xander in Pandora, CW’s new sic-fi series scheduled for release later this year. Patricia Allison returns as Ola in Netflix’s hugely popular Sex Education for Season 2 whilst Max Fowler reprises his role as Colin for the final season of The Affair for Showtime. Andrew Koji is currently shooting Season 2 of Warrior for Cinemax and also returning for a second season is Save Me, Sky Atlantic/World Production’sthriller written by and starring Lennie James, which sees Thomas Coombes back as Goz. 

Guest roles currently shooting include Aleksandar Mikic as Sachin in Cobra, director Hans Herbots; Kate Maravan in Giri/Haji for Netflix/BBC with Julian Farino directing; Tom Edden as Mr Smith in Singapore Grip, Tom Vaughan directing for ITV, and Melanie Kilburn as Sophie in Cold Call with Gareth Tunley directing. Eugene O’Hare plays the recurring role of Eddie in the latest Marcella instalment.
   In comedy, Gavin Spokes joins the cast of Hitmen, a new comedy series for Sky produced by Tiger Aspect and starring Mel & Sue; Joe Sims films the ever popular returning Plebs , set in Ancient Rome for ITV 2;  Jay Simpson plays John the Butcher in new sitcom King Gary , produced by Shiny Button for the BBC and James Doherty features in the  next series of Motherland , Juliet Mays directing.  

Film News

Rebecca Johnson returns as Sally in Trip to Greece with Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden and Michael Winterbottom directing, Carol Macready plays Mother Geri in A Boy Called Christmas , a film adaptation of Matt Haig’s bestseller with Gil Kenan directing, John Mackay films Ammonite, a new film written and directed by Francis Lee and Clemmie Sveaas competes shooting on Tom Hooper’s live adaptation of Cats.

Currently filming:

Jodie McNee plays Vivian and John Mackay plays Johnnie Ray in Judy, directed by Rupert Goold and with Renee Zellweger in the title role. Hayley Carmichael films the role of Anna in Mr Casanova with Benoit Jacquot and Stefan Kalipha films The Good Liar opposite Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen with Bill Condon directing.

On TV, Andrew Koji continues filming Warrior for HBO, Jay Simpson plays regular Perevozchenko in HBO/Sky collaboration Chernobyl about the 1986 Soviet disaster with Alex Blake and Daniel Crossley also playing guest roles across the 10 part series and Johan Renck as lead director. Jodie McNee returns as Willa in the second series of Britannia, joined this season by Joe Sims who plays Euan with Luke Watson directing. Also for Sky, Oliver Dench and Tafline Steen play regulars Sam and Leigh in Nyela’s Dream a 25 part teen comedy drama exec produced by Foz Allan. Hayley Carmichael, Anton Saunders and Patricia Allison join the cast of the BBC’s Les Misérables, Tom Shankland directing whilst Stephen Kennedy and Sarah Malin film Dark Heart for ITV based on the Will Wagstaff novels and adapted by Chris Lang. Unforgotten, also written by Chris Lang, sees Sara Powell and Michelle Bonnard join the cast for Season 3 , both characters featuring across the series and Howard Ward shoots Manhunt also for ITV, which details the pursuit of serial killer Levi Bellfield. Joseph May plays regular TJ in Living the Dream for Big Talk/Sky, Kriss Dosanjh is Moeen in Ackley Bridge for Channel 4, whilst James Doherty can be seen in The Windsors Wedding Special next month celebrating Harry and Meghan’s nuptials. Guest roles include Howard Ward as Kastor Breakspear in Carnival Row for Amazon, Alex Blake in Mrs Wilson for Brontë Film & TV, Richard Laxton directing and Max Fowler as Colin in The Affair (Season 4) , Showtime, Director Rodrigo Garcia.