![New The BFG stage adaptation announces casting [Updated]](https://www.westendtheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-BFG-Casting.-John-Leader-Photo-via-agent-and-Helena-Lymbery-Photo-Simon-Hadley.jpg "New The BFG stage adaptation announces casting [Updated]")
Producers of the new The BFG stage show, based on Roald Dahl’s much-loved story, have announced initial casting.
The BFG will play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, before heading to Chichester Festival Theatre from 9 March to 11 April 2026.
The show will star John Leader (War Horse) as the BFG, with Helena Lymbery (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as The Queen.
Sophie will be played by Elsie Laslett, Ellemie Shivers and Martha Bailey Vine; and Kimberley will be played by Maisy Lee, Charlotte Jones and Uma Patel.
Further casting is to be announced.
John Leader returns to the RSC after appearing in The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal in 2024. His previous theatre credits include Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan and War Horse at the National Theatre, A Monster Calls at The Old Vic and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bridge Theatre.
Helena Lymbery makes her RSC debut as The Queen. Helena’s previous stage credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Grace Pervades, and Ballet Shoes. Her TV credits include Doctor Foster, Father Brown and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
Based on Roald Dahl’s novel, this new production is adapted by Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Jumpers for Goalposts), and directed by the RSC’s Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans (Quiz, Born with Teeth).
More about The BFG
In the story, one night a young orphan named Sophie is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country. There she learns that human-eating giants are guzzling ‘norphans’ the world over. But she soon discovers that her new friend, the BFG, is different – he’s a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching gentle soul who refuses to eat humans.
While other giants terrorise the world, the BFG ignites Sophie’s imagination, and they devise a daring plan to save children everywhere. In the end, the smallest human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change the world.
The creative team for The BFG also includes Puppetry Designer and Director, Toby Olié; Set Designer, Vicki Mortimer; Costume Designer, Kinnetia Isidore; Lighting Designer, Zoe Spurr; Video Designer, Akhila Krishnan; Illusions, Chris Fisher; Composer, Oleta Haffner; Sound Designer, Carolyn Downing; Choreographer and Movement Director, Ira Mandela Siobhan; Puppetry Co-Designer, Daisy Beattie; and Senior Set Design Associate, Matt Hellyer. The Casting Director is Christopher Worrall CDG; and the Children’s Casting Director is Verity Naughton CDG.
“Finding the actor to play our eponymous hero, BFG, has been a giant undertaking”
Director and RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans said: “Finding the actor to play our eponymous hero, BFG, has been a giant undertaking in so many ways. We knew that this crucial bit of casting was an essential piece of the puzzle. After all, it is the BFG, alongside Sophie and The Queen, who are the main trio of our story. Through each other’s friendship and allyship, they find the imagination and the strength to defeat the human-guzzling giants and save children everywhere. John Leader brings immense warmth, generosity and humility to the role – all essential qualities for our BFG. He also has a gleaming and vivid imagination. John will be working alongside a highly skilled team of puppeteers as part of a cast of eighteen, to bring Tom Wells’ magical new script to the stage and we look forward to sharing more exciting casting news within the coming weeks.”
John Leader said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing such an iconic character who means so much to so many people. Everyone has their own picture of the BFG, so it’s really exciting (and a bit surreal!) to help bring him to life on stage. It’s a real joy to be collaborating with Daniel and such a talented team of creatives on this story, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. Having grown up in Birmingham and trained at Stratford College, coming back to the RSC for a role like this honestly feels very special – a real full-circle moment.”
On the other casting, Daniel Evans said: “In Tom Wells’ magical new stage adaptation of The BFG, there is no greater power than the power of friendship. Whether you’re a little orphan like Sophie, a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching giant like The BFG or the Queen of England, friendship can unlock something extraordinary in each of us, giving us the strength, imagination and courage to trust in our own power and change the world for the better.
“Helena Lymbery’s wit, warmth and infectious sense of humour make her the perfect choice for our Queen, who finds her closeted life of privilege turned upside down with the arrival of Sophie and The BFG.
“Joining Helena are six, incredibly talented young actors who, together, will originate the roles of Sophie and her friend Kimberley.
“After just two days of initial workshops, Elsie, Ellemie and Martha (our trio of Sophies), along with Charlotte, Maisy and Uma (our Kimberleys) are already proving to be powerful in the room! To welcome such a diverse range of age and experience to bring The BFG to life is an absolute thrill for me as a Director and I can’t wait for rehearsals to get underway later this month.”
Daniel Evans’ next directing project ahead of The BFG is Born with Teeth, playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London from 13 August, starring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel.
The BFG is a Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and Roald Dahl Story Company production.
The BFG dates and booking
The BFG is running at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 25 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, before playing Chichester Festival Theatre from 9 March to 11 April 2026.
UPDATES: First published 1 August 2025 with news of John Leader; Updated 2 September 2025 with further casting
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