Directed by:
Jonathan MunbyPlots(1)
Considered by many to be the greatest tragedy ever written, King Lear sees two ageing fathers – one a King, one his courtier – reject the children who truly love them. Their blindness unleashes a tornado of pitiless ambition and treachery, as family and state are plunged into a violent power struggle with bitter ends. (Rialto Distribution)
Cast
![Ian McKellen](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/987/163987820_49d6b3.jpg)
Ian McKellen
UK
Best movies:
Pet Shop Boys: Videography (1991) (video compilation)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
![Sinéad Cusack](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/494/161494952_1b00ca.jpg)
Sinéad Cusack
Ireland
Best movies:
Eastern Promises (2007)
Hoffman (1970)
V for Vendetta (2005)
![Danny Webb](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/025/059/25059623_baa563.jpg)
Danny Webb
UK
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
Endeavour (2012) (series)
A Year of the Quiet Sun (1984)
![Phil Daniels](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/554/163554115_ebcf2f.jpg)
Phil Daniels
UK
Best movies:
The Best of Blur (2000) (video compilation)
Endeavour (2012) (series)
The Long Firm (2004) (TV movie)
![Patrick Robinson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/159/324/159324805_00c575.jpg)
Patrick Robinson
UK
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Midsomer Murders (1997) (series)
Sitting in Limbo (2020) (TV movie)
![Anthony Howell](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/159/995/159995354_8803bb.jpg)
Anthony Howell
UK
Best movies:
Hawking (2004) (TV movie)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Wives and Daughters (1999) (series)
Kirsty Bushell
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Midsomer Murders (1997) (series)
![Claire Price](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/152/162152244_366211.jpg)
Claire Price
UK
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Dalziel and Pascoe (1996) (series)
Anita-Joy Uwajeh
Best movies:
NT Live: Cyrano de Bergerac (2020) (theatrical recording)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Medusa Deluxe (2022)
Lloyd Hutchinson
Best movies:
Hatfields & McCoys (2012) (series)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
Luke Thompson
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
James Corrigan
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Michael Matus
Best movies:
Endeavour (2012) (series)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Daniel Rabin
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Murder on the Home Front (2013) (TV movie)
Flyfishing (2002)
Richard Clews
Best movies:
Hornblower: Retribution (2001) (TV movie)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Sally Lockhart Mysteries: The Shadow in the North (2007) (TV movie)
John Hastings
Best movies:
King Lear (2014) (theatrical recording)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Caleb Roberts
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Jake Mann
Best movies:
Ripper Street (2012) (series)
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Hunter Killer (2018)
![Scott Sparrow](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/736/158736815_dcbab9.jpg)
Scott Sparrow
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
The Foreigner (2017)
Dredd (2012)
James Millard
Best movies:
National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) (theatrical recording)
Closing the Ring (2007)
Atlas (2024)