The U.K.’s National Theatre Live has unveiled a lineup of theater-to-cinema broadcasts featuring A-list talent from stage and screen, marking a significant expansion of the program’s reach under new director Indhu Rubasingham.
The slate includes three major productions spanning contemporary drama and classic revivals, led by Emmy and BAFTA winner Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit,” “The Responder”) and Olivier Award winner Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses,” “Dunkirk”) in David Ireland’s critically acclaimed drama “The Fifth Step.”
The contemporary play follows James (Freeman), a longtime Alcoholics Anonymous member who sponsors newcomer Luka (Lowden). When Luka approaches the program’s fifth step, a confession threatens their fragile friendship. Originally presented by National Theatre of Scotland across Scottish venues in 2024, the production was filmed during its sold-out West End transfer at the intimate @sohoplace theater.
Freeman called the play “funny, dark, and completely original – very much David Ireland doing what he does best.” The production, directed by Finn den Hertog and presented by Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions and National Theatre of Scotland, will release to cinemas Nov. 27.
“Working on ‘The Fifth Step’ has been an immensely rewarding experience,” said Lowden. “Collaborating once again with David and Finn has been a genuine privilege, and to share the stage with Martin, an actor I’ve long admired, has been as thrilling as I hoped – sharp, generous, and endlessly surprising.”
In a rare family collaboration, five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton (“The Crown,” “Hello, Dolly!”) will appear alongside her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (“Bridgerton,” “Outrageous”) in Bernard Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.” The Sonia Friedman Productions presentation, directed by Dominic Cooke, explores themes of morality versus independence.
“Performing this with Bessie Carter, my daughter, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Staunton said. “The play asks such searching questions about what mothers do for their daughters – and what they hide from them.”
Carter added: “It’s quite something to look your real mother in the eye on stage and argue about money, morality, and independence.” The production will reach cinemas Oct. 23.
Looking ahead to 2026, the program will present “Hamlet” starring Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (“Life of Pi”) in the title role. Directed by National Theatre deputy artistic director Robert Hastie, this contemporary take on Shakespeare’s tragedy will be in cinemas Jan. 26, 2026.
The announcements join the previously revealed “Inter Alia,” featuring Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl,” “Saltburn”) in a new work by “Prima Facie” creators Suzie Miller and Justin Martin. The production will broadcast live from the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Stage across the U.K. on Sept. 4, with global screenings beginning Sept. 25.
“From the moment I began this role, I knew that expanding our digital reach would be key to my vision to bring the world to the National Theatre and the National Theatre to the world,” said Rubasingham. “NT Live is a powerful way to open not just our work, but the work of our incredible peers in the West End and beyond, to audiences globally.”
