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An actor has expressed his delight at being cast as the titular character in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The BFG.
John Leader, a Birmingham native, will embody the Big Friendly Giant in the stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel at the RSC theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
“It’s incredibly exciting, and somewhat surreal, to help bring him to life on stage,” stated the 33-year-old, known for his role in Netflix’s The Sandman. “He is such an iconic character who resonates deeply with many.”
“Having grown up in Birmingham and trained at Stratford College, returning to the RSC for a role of this magnitude feels exceptionally special – a true full-circle moment.”
Leader’s previous appearances with the RSC include productions of The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal, both in 2024.
His theatre résumé also boasts roles in Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan, and War Horse at the National Theatre in London.
Director Daniel Evans commented that the search for the actor to portray the protagonist had been a “giant undertaking” in numerous respects.
He added: “We recognized that this critical casting decision was a vital piece of the puzzle.”
“John Leader infuses the role with immense warmth, generosity, and humility—qualities essential for our BFG.”
“He also possesses a brilliant and vivid imagination. John will collaborate with a highly skilled team of puppeteers as part of an 18-member cast to bring Tom Wells’ enchanting new script to the stage, and we anticipate sharing more exciting casting announcements in the coming weeks.”
The BFG is scheduled to run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from November 25 to January 31.
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