The full cast has been revealed for The Afronauts, coming to the Royal Court this November, led by Lucian Msamati and Ama Qamata in her UK stage debut.
Full casting has been revealed for Ryan Calais Cameron’s play The Afronauts, including lead cast members Lucian Msamati and Ama Qamata, who will be making her UK stage debut in the production.
The Afronauts tells the true(ish) story of the Zambian Space Program and is set in Zambia in 1964. It follows a schoolteacher who gathers a group of misfit dreamers and trains them for lift-off, as the country becomes an unlikely contender in the space race. The play marks the finale of the Royal Court’s 70th anniversary Downstairs season.
View live availability for The Afronauts here
The Afronauts cast
The international company brings together Black British and Black African talent, led by:
- Lucian Msamati (Game of Thrones, Slow Horses, Conclave) as Edward
- Ama Qamata (Blood & Water) in her UK stage debut, as Matha
- Ivanno Jeremiah (Retrograde) as Simon
- Chomba S. Taulo (The Book of Mormon) as Ben
- Munashe Chirisa (The Play That Goes Wrong) as Cheelo
- Pamela Nomvete (Skeleton Crew) as Grace
- Lukwesa Mwamba (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as Liji
- Prince Kundai (Limp Wrist and the Iron Fist) as David
Msamati’s casting brings a screen and stage heavyweight to the Royal Court stage, while Qamata’s UK stage debut and Jeremiah’s reunion with Cameron following Retrograde are among the production’s biggest draws for theatregoers who have followed Cameron’s earlier West End successes.
The creative team
The Afronauts is designed by Soutra Gilmour, with costume design by Kinnetia Isidore, lighting by Ryan Day, and composition and sound design by Khalil Madovi. Movement direction is by Kloé Dean, with Mwansa Phiri as cultural dramaturg.
Cameron is Associate Playwright at the Royal Court, whose previous work includes the West End transfer of Retrograde and the award-winning For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy, while Touko’s credits include the Olivier Award-winning The Boy at the Back of the Class.
Book tickets to The Afronauts at the Royal Court Theatre here
Plan your visit to The Afronauts
- Theatre: Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS
- Booking dates: 14 November – 19 December 2026
- Performance schedule: Monday–Friday 7.30pm and 2.30pm; Saturday 1.30pm and 6.30pm
Royal Court Theatre, London
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