The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced further casting for Yaël Farber’s upcoming production of The Winter’s Tale, which runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from Saturday 12 July to Saturday 30 August 2025.
Kathryn Hunter joins the cast in the dual roles of Autolycus and Time. Known for her role as Arabella Figg in the Harry Potter film series, Hunter has also appeared in Black Doves, Andor, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. She returns to the RSC following her acclaimed performance in the title role of Timon of Athens in 2018.
As previously announced, Bertie Carvel will play Leontes, with Madeline Appiah as Hermione, Aïcha Kossoko as Paulina, and John Light as Polixenes.
The full company includes: Madeline Appiah, Lewis Bowes, Amelda Brown, Bertie Carvel, Rhianna Compton, Hilda Cronje, Ryan Duval, Matthew Flynn, Leah Haile, Kathryn Hunter, Chihiro Kawasaki, Aïcha Kossoko, John Light, Mkiyah Page-Gordon, Rakhee Sharma, Raphael Sowole, and Richard Sutton.
Bertie Carvel, a double Olivier and Tony Award winner, returns to the RSC for the first time since originating the role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda The Musical in 2010.
Madeline Appiah also returns to the company, having last appeared in 2012 in Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, and The Taming of the Shrew.
Aïcha Kossoko joins the cast following her performance in the Olivier-nominated Kyoto at Soho Place, a co-production with the RSC.
John Light, last seen at the RSC in 2006, brings his extensive experience from productions including Julius Caesar, The Tempest, and The Seagull.
The creative team for The Winter’s Tale includes Set and Costume Designer Soutra Gilmour, Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin, Composer Max Perryment, Movement Director Imogen Knight, Fight and Intimacy Director Yarit Dor, Casting Director Julia Horan CDG, and Dramaturg Drew Lichtenberg.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
