Helen McCrory will reunite with acclaimed director Carrie Cracknell to star in a new production of Terence Rattigan’s classic drama The Deep Blue Sea at the National Theatre this June.
While dates are yet to be announced, the theatre has confirmed the stage and screen star will take on the legendary role of Hester Collyer in the production that will play in the Lyttelton Theatre.
The Deep Blue Sea tells the story of Collyer, the daughter of a clergyman and wife of a judge, as she founders at the end of a hopeless affair. Her lover, pilot Freddie Page, is out of his depth in the relationship, overwhelmed by a strength of emotion he is incapable of reciprocating.
McCrory will join forces with Cracknell following her starring role in the critically acclaimed Medea that played at the National Theatre in 2014 and earned the actor a prestigious Critics’ Circle Theatre Award.
Speaking to The Daily Mail about her forthcoming role, the Harry Potter star described the role of Hester as “very funny, very bright”, explaining “what’s so interesting about her and Freddie is that she understands completely what she’s doing, but she’s unable to stop herself.”
McCrory boasts extensive stage credits including Blood Wedding and The Seagull at the National Theatre, Platonov at the Almeida Theatre, and Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya at the Donmar Warehouse. She is also a well known face on screen and will soon be seen in the new series of BBC’s hugely popular series Peaky Blinders.
Further casting for The Deep Blue Sea is yet to be announced.