'Doctor Who' star Jodie Whittaker to return to the stage in 'The Duchess'

The casting marks Whittaker's first time on the stage since 2012, in which she starred opposite Christopher Eccleston in Antigone at the National Theatre.

The Doctor will see you now! Doctor Who and Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker will return to the stage for the first time in more than a decade with an adaptation of John Webster’s classic The Duchess of Malfi. The play will open at the Trafalgar Theatre in the West End for a strictly limited 11-week season on 5 October.

The Duchess, adapted and directed by Zinnie Harris, follows a widowed duchess — played by Whittaker — who defies her family by remarrying beneath her class. But when her two brothers discover the marriage, they cruelly seek to reassert their control.

On the announcement, Jodie Whittaker said: "I'm beyond delighted to return to the stage after over a decade, and even more so to lead Zinnie Harris's incredibly powerful adaptation of John Webster's harrowing drama. Zinnie has so brilliantly propelled The Duchess of Malfi into contemporary culture, which is what originally drew me to the piece. Being able to portray the Duchess's tragic and captivating story on stage every night is a true honour."

This production was originally produced and developed by the Royal Lyceum Theatre.

Further casting is to be announced.

Book The Duchess tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Jodie Whittaker. (Photo courtesy of production)