Les Liaisons Dangereuses starring Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner – Further casting announced

Further casting has been announced for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Marianne Elliott’s striking new production opening at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre in spring 2026.

The revival stars Lesley Manville (Oedipus, The Crown) as Marquise de Merteuil and Aidan Turner (Rivals, Poldark, The Hobbit) as Vicomte de Valmont, alongside Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick) and Gabrielle Drake as Madame de Rosemond.

Joining the company are Sharif Afifi as Azolan, Nandi Bhebhe as Julie, Ali Goldsmith as Major-Domo, Darragh Hand as Chevalier Danceny, Cat Simmons as Madame de Volanges and Hannah van der Westhuysen as Cécile Volanges.

Meet the cast

Hannah-van-der-Westhuysen Photo by Stewart-Bywater

Marking her first National Theatre production in nine years, Marianne Elliott (Angels in America) reimagines Les Liaisons Dangereuses as a glittering and perilous study of love, power and moral decay. Set among the salons of the 18th-century elite, the story follows Merteuil and Valmont as they turn seduction into a blood sport — with catastrophic consequences when their alliance collapses into rivalry.

Elliott, whose previous National Theatre work includes Angels in America, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the co-directed War Horse, brings the decadence of pre-revolutionary France to the stage in a production promising sharp wit, psychological depth and dark sensuality. Hampton’s adaptation, first staged in 1985, remains one of the defining reinterpretations of Laclos’ 1782 novel of intrigue and desire.

The creative team includes Rosanna Vize (set design), Natalie Roar (costume design), Tom Jackson Greaves (choreography), Jasmin Kent Rodgman (composer), James Farncombe (lighting design) and Ian Dickson for Autograph (sound design). Ingrid Mackinnon serves as intimacy director, Sam Lyon-Behan as fight director, with casting by Alastair Coomer CDG and Naomi Downham. Hazel Holder and Cathleen McCarron join as dialect and voice coaches respectively.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses runs from 21 March to 6 June 2026 at the Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, London.

Upcoming shows for 2026

The announcement comes as the National Theatre unveils further details of its 2026 season. Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie will direct Summerfolk, a new version of Maxim Gorky’s classic by Nina Raine and Moses Raine, opening in the Olivier Theatre in March. Hastie’s production of Hamlet, starring Hiran Abeysekera, will also transfer to New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) next spring, marking the start of a new international partnership. In the Dorfman Theatre, Ben Daniels and Laurie Kynaston (announced today) lead Anthony Lau’s revival of Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy, while Rakie Ayola, Sylvestra Le Touzel and Cherrelle Skeete star in Winsome Pinnock’s new psychological thriller The Authenticator, directed by Miranda Cromwell.

Current shows at the National Theatre

National Theatre shows now playing at its three Southbank venues include Hamlet (until 22 November), Bacchae (until 1 November) and The Land of the Living (until 1 November). This year’s Christmas shows at the National include the return of Ballet Shoes.

Also, recent National Theatre hit The Importance of Being Earnest is now playing at the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre starring Stephen Fry. The National’s production of War Horse is currently touring the UK.

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Main photo: Lesley Manville, Aidan Turner & Monica Barbaro (Photo Credit: Rachel Smith, John Balsom, Jessie Dittmar)