Richard Armitage on casting The Stranger co-star in new audiobook The Cut

Richard Armitage on casting The Stranger co-star in new audiobook The Cut

As an avid fan of both Richard Armitage and audiobooks, I was thrilled to hear about his latest project, “The Cut”. Having already made waves with Geneva in 2022, it’s clear that Armitage is not one to rest on his laurels. His decision to cast Jacob Dudman, a fellow talented actor and a delightful individual I had the pleasure of working with on The Stranger, speaks volumes about his professional integrity and foresight.


Following the success of his debut audiobook in 2022, “Geneva”, Richard Armitage, famously known for his roles in “The Hobbit” and “Red Eye”, returns to Audible with another thrilling production titled “The Cut”.

Initially, Armitage worked alongside his Spooks colleague Nicola Walker in a previous project. However, for ‘The Cut’, he selected Jacob Dudman to be part of the cast. The narrative is divided into two timeframes, with Dudman portraying events that occurred in 1994, and Armitage depicting scenes from 2024.

Initially, there was a discussion regarding incorporating several readers and introducing female characters. We briefly considered featuring a teenage girl reading the chapters from 1993, as the character in question was a woman. However, upon reflection, I recognized that this narrative essentially revolves around a struggle between two young men.

As I pondered whether to delve into both parts of this captivating tale, I realized it required a unique narrator who could embody the raw excitement and youthful euphoria of high school graduation. Someone capable of seamlessly transitioning between various voices – teachers, students, teenage girls, boys – all while skillfully navigating the nuances of that transformative phase in life. Enter Jacob Dudman, a virtuoso of vocal performance, who effortlessly filled my mental script with his extraordinary talent.

Richard Armitage on casting The Stranger co-star in new audiobook The Cut

Speaking as a film critic, let me share my unique perspective. You see, I had the privilege of knowing this extraordinary talent personally, as we collaborated on the masterpiece, “The Stranger.” His acting prowess was undeniable, but beyond his exceptional skills lay an even more remarkable individual. He was not just a great actor; he was genuinely kind-hearted and delightful to work with.

I found myself thinking, “Jacob, with his generous spirit, is just right for this role,” since I was confident he’d manage the challenging scenes gracefully. And I’m delighted that he agreed to take on the part.

“The story, titled ‘The Cut,’ centers around Ben Knot, a character who, together with his companions, tormented a child named Mark Cherry in 1994. The hostility grew, eventually leading to an unfortunate incident where one of them lost their life.”

After three decades, the audiobook finds Ben returning to his hometown, as his career in architecture falters and the killer who had been imprisoned for so long is now set to be freed.

When Ben’s acting-aspiring son Nate secures the main part in a fresh horror film, Ben’s apprehension leads him to doubt the intentions of the movie creators.

The Cut is available to listen to on Audible now.

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2024-08-23 21:33