'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)
Frequently asked questions
What is The Duchess about?
The Duchess, a tale of patriarchy and resistance based on John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, comes to the West End starring Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch), who is returning to the stage for the first time in over a decade.
How long is The Duchess?
The running time of The Duchess is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
Where is The Duchess playing?
The Duchess is playing at Trafalgar Theatre. The theatre is located at 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY.
How do you book tickets for The Duchess?
Book tickets for The Duchess on London Theatre.
What's the age recommendation for The Duchess?
The recommended age for The Duchess is Ages 14+..
Who wrote The Duchess?
John Webster wrote The Duchess of Malfi, and Zinnie Harris wrote this adaptation.
Who directed The Duchess?
Zinnie Harris stages the show.
Is The Duchess appropriate for kids?
This play is best for children ages 12 and above as the show explores topics related to the patriarchy and has scenes of abuse and violence that may not be suitable for young children.
Is The Duchess good?
The Duchess is a fantastic show about female resistance in the face of hate and injustice. After its critically acclaimed run in 2019, the play comes to the West End, starring the exceptional Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) in her return to the stage after over a decade.
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