Actor to play BFG in Royal Shakespeare Company play introduced

An actor says he’s “absolutely thrilled” to be chosen to play the BFG with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

John Leader, who grew up in Birmingham, is about to step into the outsized sneakers of the Big Friendly Giant within the stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s youngsters’s novel on the RSC theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

“It’s really exciting, and a bit surreal, to help bring him to life on stage,” stated the 33-year-old, who has appeared in Netflix’s The Sandman. “He is such an iconic character who means so much to so many people.

“And having grown up in Birmingham and educated at Stratford College, coming again to the RSC for a job like this truthfully feels very particular – an actual full-circle second.”

Leader last appeared with the RSC in productions of The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal, both in 2024.

His theatre credits also include Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan and War Horse at the National Theatre in London.

Director Daniel Evans said finding the actor to play the hero had been a “large endeavor” in some ways.

He stated: “We knew that this significant little bit of casting was a vital piece of the puzzle.

“John Leader brings immense warmth, generosity and humility to the role – all essential qualities for our BFG.

“He additionally has a gleaming and vivid creativeness. John will probably be working alongside a extremely expert staff of puppeteers as a part of a solid of 18 to carry Tom Wells’ magical new script to the stage, and we stay up for sharing extra thrilling casting information throughout the coming weeks.”

The BFG will probably be carried out on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November to 31 January.