The National Theatre is shaking off its reputation for stodgy productions by unleashing a star-studded lineup that promises to "theatrically explode". For 2026, artistic director Indhu Rubasingham has got big names in tow – including Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and Killing Eve's Sandra Oh – to join forces with other talented women.
Oh will be making her National Theatre debut in an adaptation of Molière's social satire The Misanthrope, which brings together a bold combination of two classic works: Sophocles' Electra and Bergman's Persona. Meanwhile, Blanchett leads the charge alongside German actress Nina Hoss in an experimental fusion of both plays.
The lineup is set to be dominated by female talent – with Wright starring in newsroom thriller The Story, Lesley Manville taking on a role in an adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Francesca Mills set to take on the title role in Little Voice. While this could lead to accusations of over-reliance on A-listers, Rubasingham is determined to put butts on seats while also pushing the boundaries of theatre.
For Rubasingham, it's all about creating a programme that sparks conversation and sets an agenda for bold storytelling. Born in Mansfield, she has made her mark at smaller theatres before taking on the top job – where she's vowed not to be intimidated by its size. "The principles are the same," she says, referring to her early days as director at the Kiln Theatre.
Rubasingham's plan for 2026 is one of big-name collaborations and inventive productions that court risk while inviting audiences to engage with new ideas. And it seems to be paying off – with War Horse set to return to the Southbank this May, as well as two Broadway transfers from across the pond. The story she's telling at the National appears to be one of bold theatre that can't get enough big names and daring ideas.
Oh will be making her National Theatre debut in an adaptation of Molière's social satire The Misanthrope, which brings together a bold combination of two classic works: Sophocles' Electra and Bergman's Persona. Meanwhile, Blanchett leads the charge alongside German actress Nina Hoss in an experimental fusion of both plays.
The lineup is set to be dominated by female talent – with Wright starring in newsroom thriller The Story, Lesley Manville taking on a role in an adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Francesca Mills set to take on the title role in Little Voice. While this could lead to accusations of over-reliance on A-listers, Rubasingham is determined to put butts on seats while also pushing the boundaries of theatre.
For Rubasingham, it's all about creating a programme that sparks conversation and sets an agenda for bold storytelling. Born in Mansfield, she has made her mark at smaller theatres before taking on the top job – where she's vowed not to be intimidated by its size. "The principles are the same," she says, referring to her early days as director at the Kiln Theatre.
Rubasingham's plan for 2026 is one of big-name collaborations and inventive productions that court risk while inviting audiences to engage with new ideas. And it seems to be paying off – with War Horse set to return to the Southbank this May, as well as two Broadway transfers from across the pond. The story she's telling at the National appears to be one of bold theatre that can't get enough big names and daring ideas.
. They're having some big-name stars like Cate Blanchett and Sandra Oh, but I don't know if it's just going to attract a lot of theatre fans who only come to see these famous people 
. I mean, won't that kind of thing lose the theatre its reputation for doing more "artistic" stuff? And what about all the other talented women who might not get as many roles? 
It seems like they're trying to be a bit of everything and it might just end up being too much 
. Still, I do love that they're trying to push the boundaries and have some risk-taking productions 
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. The lineup looks incredibly diverse, with a focus on female talent that could potentially lead to some thought-provoking conversations about representation in theatre. I love how she's willing to take risks and experiment with different styles and collaborations – it's refreshing to see a artistic director who's not afraid to challenge the status quo.
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about the new lineup at the National Theatre! 
They're bringing in some seriously talented ladies 
, like Cate Blanchett and Sandra Oh. I love how they're combining classic works to create something totally fresh 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see Oscar-winning Cate on stage? 
Nina Hoss is also super exciting to see. This lineup is going to bring the house down 
and spark some amazing conversations 
. Bring it on! 
. It's all about appearances at this point. And what's with the obsession with "theatrically exploding"? Just because a few big names are involved doesn't mean the production is going to be any good 
. I'm not buying it... or should I say, not "theatrically exploding" into applause 
. And I'm so here for the fact that it's all about female power - more women on stage means more diverse perspectives 
. It's not just about getting A-listers in, it's about creating something special and sparking conversations 
. Can't wait to see what the rest of 2026 has in store 
The fact that there are more women on stage than men is a total game-changer, let's be real 
. I mean, we've seen many productions flop when they rely too heavily on big names rather than substance. That being said, it's great to hear that Indhu Rubasingham has a clear vision for bold storytelling and sparking conversations 
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. And what about the rest of the cast? Are we just gonna forget about them because the big names are there? 
and whats up with the combo of electra & persona tho? sounds super confusing 
. I mean, what's wrong with some up-and-coming talent showing the world what they've got? We're talkin' 90% of the time is filled with big-name stars and not enough space for anyone else to shine 
but is it gonna be all just a bunch of A-listers running around on stage lol? i mean dont get me wrong, cate blanchett & sandra oh are talented AF, but cant they find some new blood too? 
! I love how Indhu Rubasingham is shaking things up with bold productions that'll spark conversations. It's not just about getting big names on stage, it's about pushing boundaries and telling new stories. 
! Can't wait to see what they come up with... this is shaping up to be an epic year for theatre!!! 
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