Keira Knightley confirmed opposite Game of Thrones and Bridgerton favourites for new run of award-winning play

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Keira Knightley will be back on stage this fall, taking the lead role in a new version of the acclaimed film The Lives of Others.

I’m so excited! Florence Pugh, who I absolutely loved in The Black Doves, is going to be on stage in London’s West End! She’s starring in a new production at the Adelphi Theatre this October, and she’ll be joined by Luke Thompson – you know, from Bridgerton – and Stephen Dillane, who was brilliant in Game of Thrones. It’s a fantastic cast and I already can’t wait to see it!

This psychological thriller takes place in 1980s East Germany and follows Gerd Wiesler, a Stasi agent, as he secretly monitors the lives of people living in East Berlin.

The story revolves around a writer and an actor in East Germany in 1984 who are constantly monitored by the secret police, the Stasi. A Stasi officer stationed in the attic above their apartment listens for any sign of dissent. However, the act of observing their lives begins to affect him as well.

The story first appeared in the 2006 German film by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. The film received widespread recognition, winning awards such as the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Film in a Language Other Than English.

The acclaimed film The Lives of Others is coming to London’s West End, thanks to director Robert Icke and producer Sonia Friedman. Friedman, a long-time fan of the movie, praised it as a beautiful and captivating masterpiece. She believes Icke is the perfect director to adapt it for the stage, noting his talent for blending complex themes with genuine emotion and promising a production that will be both surprising and exciting.

This new play takes place in East Berlin in 1984, a place where the government controlled every aspect of life – what people said, thought, and even imagined. It’s a powerful story that reminds us how easily freedoms can be lost, and the bravery it takes to defend them.

What truly stands out is how the story manages to feel both grand and personal. It’s beautifully sad, deeply affecting, and ultimately a surprising tale about the power of kindness, showing how connection and compassion can blossom in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Having Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson, and Stephen Dillane leading the company at the Adelphi Theatre this fall makes this production particularly exciting. We’re also thrilled to announce that Max Richter, a truly exceptional composer, will be creating new music for the show. His work is deeply moving and emotionally resonant, and promises to be incredibly powerful.

“I really can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

How to get The Lives of Others tickets

The play ‘The Lives of Others’ will begin performances at the Adelphi Theatre on October 14th, with the official opening night on October 29th. It will run through January 9, 2027.

Tickets go on sale today with over 25% of tickets for £35 and under.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-04-29 11:39