Kristin Scott Thomas to star in The Cherry Orchard in the West End

Adapted by Conor McPherson, directed by Ian Rickson, produced by Sonia Friedman

UPDATE (1 April 2026): This production is now officially confirmed to play the Harold Pinter Theatre from October 2026. Click here for the full announcement and ticket details.

Hollywood star Dame Kristin Scott Thomas is set to return to the West End stage next year in a new production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard.

Scott Thomas will play Russian aristocrat Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard, in a new adaptation by award-winning playwright Conor McPherson (The Weir, Girl From the North Country, Uncle Vanya). The news was first reported by Baz in Deadline.

Produced by Sonia Friedman (Stereophonic, Paddington The Musical), the production will be directed by Ian Rickson, and sees Rickson and Scott Thomas reunite following their production of Chekhov’s The Seagull in the West End and on Broadway.

Kristin also returns to Chekhov after performing in Three Sisters in 2003 in London, directed by Michael Blakemore.

The West End theatre and dates for The Cherry Orchard are to be announced, although timing is said to be 2026.

Kristin Scott Thomas is making her directorial film debut this month, with My Mother’s Wedding starring Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller and Emily Beecham. The new movie is out in UK cinemas now.

Kristin Scott Thomas last appeared on the London stage in 2023, alongside Lily James in new play Lyonesse at the Harold Pinter Theatre, directed by Ian Rickson. Her other work with Ian Rickson includes Electra at The Old Vic alongside Jack Lowden and Diana Quick, and Betrayal at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Kristin’s current TV credits include Slow Horses (Apple TV).

Writer and director Conor McPherson’s musical Girl From the North Country is currently playing at The Old Vic in London, until 23 August. His acclaimed, award-winning drama The Weir is being revived in London this autumn, starring Brendan Gleeson, and playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 12 September to 6 December 2025. McPherson is also working on the forthcoming theatre adaptation of The Hunger Games, with The Hunger Games on Stage opening at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in London on 20 October.

Conor McPherson returns to Chekhov with The Cherry Orchard after adapting Uncle Vanya, which was directed by Ian Rickson and played the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2020.

Director Ian Rickson’s recent projects include directing Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes and Creditors at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre in New York, as part of the new theatre partnership between producer Sonia Friedman and actor Hugh Jackman, called TOGETHER.

Producer Sonia Friedman’s current West End shows include Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre, The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Mrs Warren’s Profession at the Garrick Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, and Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre.

Coming up Friedman is producing The Importance of Being Earnest starring Stephen Fry at the Noel Coward Theatre, and Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre.

More about tickets to The Cherry Orchard

The Cherry Orchard

Harold Pinter Theatre, London

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