Ruth Wilson, Elizabeth Marvel, Jayne Houdyshell, and Aisling O’Sullivan are set to take a walk in the rain with Shakespeare’s tragic king. Deadline confirms they have joined the cast of Broadway’s upcoming staging of “King Lear.” As previously announced, Glenda Jackson is taking on the titular role.
Wilson — who was recently written off “The Affair” after four seasons and a reported pay disparity with co-star Dominic West — is playing both Cordelia, Lear’s youngest and favorite daughter, and the Fool. Wilson made her Broadway debut in “Constellations” in 2015. Previously, she led “Anna Christie” and had a supporting turn in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at London’s Donmar Warehouse. She took home Olivier Awards for both performances. Her recent screen credits include “Dark River” and “How to Talk to Girls at Parties.” You can catch Wilson in theaters now in gothic horror pic “The Little Stranger,” based on Sarah Waters’ novel.
Lear’s eldest daughter, Goneril, will be portrayed by Marvel. The character actress has appeared in screen projects such as “Homeland,” “True Grit,” and “Fargo.” “Picnic,” “Other Desert Cities,” “Julius Caesar,” and “The Little Foxes” are among her stage credits.
O’Sullivan will make her Broadway debut as middle daughter Regan. The Irish actress has appeared onstage before in “The Playboy of the Western World,” “Big Maggie,” in and “The Cripple of Inishmaan.” Her screen work includes series “Raw” and “The Clinic” and features “The Secret Scripture” and “Snap.”
Taking on the Earl of Gloucester will be Houdyshell. She won a Tony for her work in “The Humans” and nabbed nominations for “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” “Follies,” and “Well.” Houdyshell has also acted in stage productions such as “Fish in the Dark,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Wicked.” “Quantico,” “The Good Fight,” and “Downsizing” are among her screen credits.
“King Lear” marks a reprise for Jackson: she portrayed Lear in Deborah Warner’s 2016 production at London’s Old Vic. She won a Tony for “Three Tall Women” earlier this year. Jackson took home Oscars for “Women in Love” and “A Touch of Class,” and two Emmys for her turn as Queen Elizabeth I in “Elizabeth R.”
Pedro Pascal (“Game of Thrones”) and John Douglas Thompson (“Carousel”) will play Edmund and the Earl of Kent, respectively. Additional casting news is forthcoming.
Sam Gold (“Fun Home”) will direct the production. The creative team includes Miriam Buether (set design), Ann Roth (costume design), and Jane Cox (lighting).
“King Lear” will begin previews February 28, 2019 at the Golden Theatre. It opens April 4 and will run through July 7.
