Producers Sonia Friedman and Scott Rudin have announced initial casting for the Broadway premiere of 1984. The new stage adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel will begin previews May 18 at the Hudson Theatre (currently the home of the revival of Sunday in the Park With George) on West 44th Street.
The cast will be led by Tony winner Reed Birney, Olivia Wilde (making her Broadway debut), and Tony nominee Tom Sturridge, in the roles of O'Brien, Julia, and Winston Smith, respectively. Birney won 2016 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his performance in Stephen Karam’s The Humans. Wilde recently wrapped production on two films: A Vigilante and Life Itself; her past film credits include the Academy Award-winning drama Her, the Golden Globe Award-nominated Rush, and the indie comedy Drinking Buddies, which she also executive produced. Sturridge's performance in Orphans garnered him a Tony nomination for Best Actor and wins at the Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards.
The three artists will be joined by Wayne Duvall (The Legend of Georgia McBride) as Parsons, Carl Hendrick Louis (The Cherry Orchard) as Martin, Nick Mills (The Humans) as Syme, Michael Potts (Jitney) as Charrington, and Cara Seymour (Adaptation, American Psycho) as Mrs. Parsons.
Adapted and directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan, 1984, which arrives in New York following four successful U.K. runs, will officially open on Broadway June 22.
Read: YOU WILL BE WATCHING BIG BROTHER: ORWELL'S 1984 COMING TO BROADWAY