John Leader to star as The BFG

The West Midlands-born actor returns to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as Roald Dahl’s beloved light large.

We’re delighted to announce that John Leader will take up the function of the BFG (the Big Friendly Giant) in our festive household blockbuster The BFG, coming to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this November.

A former scholar of Stratford-upon-Avon College and a graduate of East 15, Birmingham-born John Leader grew up in Nechells in Birmingham.

He will play the BFG as a part of an ensemble of 18 actors. A troupe of puppeteers will work with John to signify the character, whose top and measurement adjustments in keeping with our perspective all through.

John was final seen on our stage in The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal, each in 2024.

His earlier theatre credit embrace Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan and War Horse on the National Theatre, A Monster Calls at The Old Vic and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on the Bridge Theatre.

John would be the first actor from the worldwide majority to signify Roald Dahl’s iconic Big Friendly Giant in efficiency, on this new stage adaptation by Tom Wells, directed by RSC Co-Director Daniel Evans.