Oscar winner Rami Malek is teaming up with former Game of Thrones star Indira Varma for a new project at the Old Vic Theatre.
The duo will be leading a new adaptation of Sophocles's tragedy Oedipus, about a king on a quest to discover the culprit behind the murder of his predecessor.
This version of Oedipus has been updated by Ella Hickson, the playwright who has previously had hits on the British stage with Wendy & Peter Pan and Merlin.
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Varma is an established theatre performer, having won an Olivier Award for an adaptation of Noël Coward's Present Laughter at The Old Vic.
She has also appeared with Game of Thrones co-star Emilia Clarke in The Seagull at the Playhouse Theatre, and most recently co-starred with Ralph Fiennes in Macbeth on both UK and US stages.
This role in Oedipus marks a return to the stage for Malek, after starting his career in theatre as a young actor. He was last on stage in The Credeaux Canvas in Hollywood in 2007.
The duo will be partnered with Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter, who are co-directing Oedipus from Hickson's modern update.
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Warchus said of the castings (via WhatsOnStage): "Sophocles’ play, arguably the best-plotted tale ever told, is the original detective story. 2,450 years since it was written, we still we find ourselves captivated by the intractable questions at the core of its drama: of the sometimes destructive outcomes in our quest for knowledge; how much we’re in control of our fate, or if we’re mostly living out a pre-written script that we’re completely powerless to change.
“I’m so excited to be co-directing this extraordinary play, in a dazzling new version by Ella Hickson, alongside the phenomenal choreographer Hofesh Shechter. And I am thrilled to announce the brilliant Rami Malek and Indira Varma in the lead roles.”
Oedipus will be playing in a limited run at the Old Vic Theatre from January 2025, with tickets set to go on sale at a later time.
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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
