Theatre announces casting for The Talented Mr Ripley
The Crown’s Ed McVey (pictured) and Eastenders alum and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Maisie Smith will star as Ripley and Marge respectively in the first ever UK tour of The Talented Mr Ripley.
The production comes to Birmingham Rep from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 September. Ed and Maisie will be starring in the roles until the end of 2025.
2025 marks the 70th anniversary of Patricia Highsmith’s iconic, gripping novel, the source material for the 2000 Oscar nominated film starring Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, the 2024 Netflix adaptation starring Andrew Scott and the stage adaptation.
Ed McVey is best known for his debut performance as Prince William in The Crown (Netflix) starring alongside iconic actors such as Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce and Dominic West.
Ed proved to be the standout star of the final series of the royal drama with Radio Times declaring “McVey is up to the challenge, proving to be a captivating screen presence and impressive at capturing the essence of the young prince”.
Ed was nominated for his role in the show in the category of Outstanding Performance by an ensemble in a Drama Series at the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
His previous theatre work includes Camp Siegfried at The Old Vic.
Maisie Smith is an award-winning actress, best known for her beloved portrayal of Tiffany Butcher in BBC’s EastEnders.
She made her screen debut as a young Queen Elizabeth in The Other Boleyn Girl, alongside Scarlett Johansson and Eddie Redmayne – the same year she first appeared in EastEnders.
Her performance earned her accolades including ‘Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor’ at the British Soap Awards and ‘Best Young Actor’ at the Inside Soap Awards.
In 2019, Maisie won Children in Need: Strictly Come Dancing Special with Kevin Clifton and went on to reach the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, winning over audiences nationwide.
She later toured with Strictly Presents: Keep Dancing in 2022.
Maisie then starred as Fran in the UK tour of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, based on Baz Luhrmann’s award-winning film – a role that earned her a nomination for ‘Best Performer in a Musical’ at The Stage Debut Awards.
In 2024, she played Chloe in the British gangster comedy Bermondsey Tales: The Fall of the Roman Empire. Most recently, she toured arenas across the UK and Europe as Beth in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – Spirit of Man Tour 2025.
The Talented Mr Ripley is a The Faction production (Macbeth, Stephen Joseph Theatre; My Last Duchess, film commissioned by The Lowry) adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher (Mary Stuart, New Diorama, UK tour and international; A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wilton's Music Hall/Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov/UK tour).
Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of 1950s Italy, this gripping stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic novel to life in a thrilling new production.
With razor-sharp dialogue, psychological intensity, and a chillingly charismatic antihero, this is Ripley as you’ve never seen him before.
The Talented Mr Ripley comes to The Rep from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 September and tickets are on-sale now.
To book, visit the Birmingham Rep website or call the Box Office on 0121 236 4455 (Monday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm. Saturdays 12pm to 6pm, or 4pm if there is no evening performance scheduled).
