Full cast announced for the West End production of William Nicholson’s beloved and deeply moving play SHADOWLANDS
Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, SHADOWLANDS opens at London’s Aldwych Theatre from 5 February to 9 May 2026.
As previously announced, Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington, W1A) will play C.S. Lewis — the celebrated author of The Chronicles of Narnia — whose orderly academic life is upturned and transformed by the unexpected love of American poet Joy Davidman, played by Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy, Billions).
They will be joined by:
- Jeff Rawle as Major W.H. Lewis (Warnie)
- Tony Jayawardena as Rev
- Harry Harrington, and Timothy Watson as Professor Christopher Riley
- Rebecca Blackstone
- Nigel Fyfe
- Jemma Geanaus
- Sharan Phull
- Leighton Pugh
- Fode Simbo
- Ernest Stroud
- Giles Taylor.
Alternating the role of Douglas (Joy Davidman’s 8-year-old son) are:
- Ayrton English
- Nathan Jago
- Louis Wilkins
What begins as a meeting of minds becomes an uplifting and powerful journey of love and the fragile beauty of life.
Based on a true story, SHADOWLANDS is written by William Nicholson and was adapted from his own original BAFTA Award-winning TV Movie. It soon became a West End smash-hit winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Play, followed by a triumphant Tony Award-winning Broadway transfer. In 1993 the play was adapted into a major feature film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, which subsequently won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.
The Creative Team
- Produced by Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, Trafalgar Theatre Productions and Tilted (originally produced by Chichester Festival Theatre)
- Written by William Nicholson
- Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh
- Designed by Peter McKintosh
- Lighting designs by Howard Harrison
- Sound designs by Fergus O’Hare
- Casting by Annelie Powell CDG and Jim Carnahan.
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