Richard Madden will NOT return to Branagh's Romeo and Juliet

Game of Thrones star Richard Madden is unable to return as Romeo.

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has now officially announced that "Game of Thrones" and "Cinderella" star Richard Madden will be unable to return to the current West End production of Romeo and Juliet. The play's limited engagement will close on 13th August at the Garrick Theatre and Freddie Fox will continue in the role of Romeo, after joining the cast last month.

Madden injured his ankle last month whilst out running and despite receiving physiotherapy, doctors have now advised against a return to the stage. Madden is expected to make a full recovery, however the healing process is taking longer than initially predicted. 

Mr Fox was drafted in to take over as the male lead, after Madden was left indisposed and after his understudy, Tom Hanson, also sustained an off-stage injury. Having recently played Romeo in the Sheffield Crucible Theatre production. Fox debuted in the Branagh production on Tuesday 26th July, following an intensive 48hour rehearsal period.

Freddie Fox has recently appeared off-West End in the Southwark Playhouse production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and will appear in the Menier Chocolate Factory revival of Tom Stoppard's Travesties later this year. His West End credits include The Judas Kiss at Duke of York's Theatre, Hay Fever at Noel Coward Theatre, and Flea in Her Ear & Cause Celebre at the Old Vic. His screen credits include "Pride," "Victor Frankenstein," "Cucumber," "The Three Musketeers," and "The Riot Club," among others.