Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell to Star in Broadway Transfer of Jamie Lloyd's Much Ado About Nothing

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, because Tom Hiddleston is coming back to Broadway. The actor (known for playing Marvel supervillain Loki) is starring in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing this fall; he will play Benedick opposite Hayley Atwell (who starred in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Beatrice.

The classic tale of rivalry-turned-romance will be helmed by Tony winning director-producer Jamie Lloyd (Sunset Blvd). The production, set in a modern dance party with loads of pink props, will play 10 weeks at a to-be-announced Shubert Organization-owned Broadway theatre.

The production played last year at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End, where it was nominated for four Standard Theatre Awards, including Best Director for Lloyd, Best Actor for Hiddleston, and Best Actress for Atwell. Said Lloyd in a statement: “Working with both Tom and Hayley again on Much Ado About Nothing at the Drury Lane was exhilarating. The chemistry between the two of them was palpable from the first rehearsal and I could sense it was a magical pairing for the ages. It’s an honor to bring their joyous performances in Shakespeare’s beloved comedy to Broadway this fall.”

Hiddleston and Lloyd previously collaborated on Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, which premiered in London and transferred to Broadway in 2019. The production was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Hiddleston’s first nomination for Best Actor in a Play.

Atwell will be making her Broadway debut in this production. She previously appeared in Lloyd’s 2013 London production of The Pride for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play. She received additional Olivier nominations in 2009 for Miller’s A View from the Bridge and in 2020 for Ibsen’s Rosmersholm. 

See the Much Ado trailer below.

Said Hiddleston in a statement, “For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to play Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. Working with Jamie Lloyd and Hayley Atwell on Shakespeare’s most warm-hearted play has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my performing life. I could not be more thrilled to bring this jubilant and joyous production to Broadway. Jamie Lloyd has anchored Shakespeare’s profoundly romantic poetry and comedy at the heart of this production, and decorated the play with music, dancing, love, and laughter. It’s an honor to have been invited back to the stage in New York."

Added Atwell: "After 20 years on the stages of London’s West End, it is a huge honor for me to be invited to make my Broadway debut playing Beatrice in this electric production of Much Ado About Nothing. We’re thrilled new audiences will experience this story through Jamie’s innovative direction. This is a modern celebration of universal themes.”

Much Ado About Nothing on Broadway is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company. 101 Productions, Ltd. will serve as general managers. Additional information about Much Ado About Nothing on Broadway’s strictly limited 10-week engagement including ticketing, location, production dates, additional casting, and creative team members will be announced shortly.

For more information, visit muchadobroadway.com.