Cast announced for ARCHDUKE at Royal Court Theatre

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 8 May, 2026, 13:44

The Royal Court Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the European premiere of Archduke by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Lyndsey Turner.

The cast of Archduke. Headshots provided by production.

From Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Guards at the Taj) comes an irreverent reimagining of a pivotal moment in history. In Belgrade in 1914, three helpless, hungry young men are handed a mission that will change their lives - and the course of 20th century history. They're going to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand. A depraved captain sends Gavrilo, Nedeljko, and Trifko on a mission to kill the Archduke, inevitably setting off the course of events that will trigger World War I. But are they fighting for Serb independence or their own material gain?

The cast will include Chris Walley (The Young Offenders, The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Abraham Popoola (Shiver) Stanley Morgan (The Little Foxes), Janice Connolly (known for Phoenix Nights and her comedy alter ego Mrs Barbara Nice) and Marc Wootton (Nativity!, Till The Stars Come Down).

The creative team includes lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Tingying Dong, costume designer Evie Gurney, illusion designer Skylar Fox and casting director Julia Horan.

Archduke will run from 20 June to 25 July 2026, with a press night set for 26 June.

Archduke Tickets