Simon Russell Beale
Birth Place: Penang, MALAYSIA
Pitlochry Festival Theatre Names New CEO and Deputy Artistic Director in 75th Anniversary Year (May 19, 2026)
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at London Palladium Releases £25 On-Stage Standing Tickets (May 7, 2026)
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The London Palladium Finds Full Cast (Apr 30, 2026)
BIO
Simon Russell Beale's theatre career began with plays at the Traverse and Lyceum Theatres in Edinburgh. His first London appearance was in William Gaskill's Royal Court production of Women Beware Women.
For the National Theatre: Timon of Athens, Collaborators (in the Cottesloe and Olivier theatres), London Assurance, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Life of Galileo, The Alchemist, Jumpers (also West End and New York, where he was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor), Humble Boy (also West End), the title role in Hamlet (2000 Evening Standard Best Actor, Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance and the Boston Critics' Association Outstanding Actor in a Large Company), Battle Royal, Candide (2000 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Summerfolk, Money, Othello, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Volpone (1996 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor).
For the RSC, Simon Russell Beale has performaed in : The Tempest, King Lear, Ghosts, the title roles in Richard III and Edward II, The Seagull, Troilus and Cressida, The Man of Mode and Restoration.
West End: Death Trap
Other theatre: Bluebird, The Winter's Tale, The Cherry Orchard, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Philanthropist (2005 Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Best Actor), Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night (both winning him 2002 Evening Standard, Critics' Circle and Olivier Awards for Best Actor and Drama Desk award nominations in the US. For Uncle Vanya: Village Voice Obie for Best Actor), Julius Caesar, Macbeth and The Duchess of Malfi.
Ballet
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
TV
American Experience, Dunkirk, The Young Visiters, Great Historians: Gibbon, A Dance to the Music of Time (1997 Royal Television Society Best Actor and BAFTA Best Actor), Persuasion and The Mushroom Pickers. He is the presenter of BBC Four's Sacred Music.
Films
My Week with Marilyn, The Deep Blue Sea, The Gathering, Alice in Wonderland, An Ideal Husband, The Temptation of Franz Schubert and Hamlet.
Radio
Extensive recording credits, including The Complete George Smiley, War and Peace; Oscar in The Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Sisterhood, Waiting for Godot, Art and A Dance to the Music of Time.
Narrations
Several books, three roles for the Shakespeare CD Series, and a 10-part television series on The National Trust. Also a 10-part series on The National Trust and presenter of Sacred Victoria, Symphony and Sacred Music.
Concerts
First Night of the Proms, Ivan The Terrible, Artaxerxes, Façade, Music and Poetry: Auden and Britten, The Firebrand of Florence and Stravinksy Promenade.
Simon Russell Beale is an associate of the National and Almeida theatres, and an associate artist of the RSC. In 2003 he was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the Arts.
Photos
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From left, cast members Adam Godley, Simon Russell Beale, and Howard W. Overshown during the curtain call for the opening night performance of ?The Lehman Trilogy? at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson The
From: Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre
From left, cast members Adam Godley, Simon Russell Beale, and Howard W. Overshown during the curtain call for the opening night performance of ?The Lehman Trilogy? at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson The
From: Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre
STAGE CREDITS
Movies
[ 1992 ] Earl of Moray
[ 1995 ] Charles Musgrove
[ 1996 ] Second Gravedigger
[ 1999 ] Sir Edward
[ 2002 ] Luke Frer
[ 2010 ] Sir Harcourt Courtly
[ 2011 ] Cotes-Preedy
[ 2011 ] Joseph Stalin
[ 2011 ] Sir William Collyer
[ 2012 ] Timon
[ 2014 ] Baker's Father
[ 2014 ] Lear
[ 2016 ] Mr. Frum
[ 2017 ] Couch
[ 2017 ] Lavrenti Beria
[ 2017 ] Prospero
[ 2018 ] David Ben-Gurion
[ 2018 ] Frank Graves
[ 2018 ] Robert Beale
[ 2019 ] Henry Lehman
[ 2019 ] King Richard II
[ 2019 ] Professor Lippmann
[ 2020 ] Scrooge, Simon Russell-Beale
[ 2021 ] Robbie Ross
[ 2021 ] Winston Churchill
[ 2022 ] Dionysus
[ 2022 ] Roy
[ 2025 ] Sir Hector Moreland
[ 2025 ]
[ 2026 ]
[ 2026 ] Winston Churchill
[ 2026 ] Winston Churchill
TV Shows
Home Secretary, William Towers
Ferdinand Lyle
Ser Simon Strong
Bently
Sir George Villiers
Awards and Nominations
Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy
Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy
winner
Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy
Simon Russell BealeTemple
Simon Russell BealeBluebird
winner
Simon Russell Beale, Collaborators
Simon Russell Beale, The Winter's Tale
winner
Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist
winner
Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist
Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers
Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers
winner
Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya
winner
Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya
winner
Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya
winner
Simon Russell Beale, Twelfth Night
winner
Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya
winner
Simon Russell BealeTwelfth Night
Simon Russell BealeHumble Boy
Simon Russell BealeHamlet
winner
Simon Russell BealeHamlet
winner
Simon Russell Beale, Candide
Simon Russell BealeOthello
Simon Russell BealeTroilus And Cressida, RSC
Simon Russell BealeMan Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad
Richard Kagan, Leader of the Pack
Videos
Video: Watch the Full Trailer for DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-30 10:09:54
VIDEO: The Stars of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY Talk Broadway Return on MORNING JOE
by Michael Major - 2021-10-13 11:40:44
Video Exclusive: First Look At National Theatre Live THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD II
by A.A. Cristi - 2019-03-01 17:39:21
VIDEO: Watch the Season Three Trailer of SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED Featuring Helen Hunt, F. Murray Abraham, Brian Cox and More
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2018-09-17 15:06:04
VIDEO: Watch the New Trailer for Michael Grandage Company's RED
by Stephi Wild - 2018-02-16 08:26:04
VIDEO: Showtime Returns to the Darkness with PENNY DREADFUL Season 3 Trailer
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-04-08 08:28:14
VIDEO: Showtime Reveals Key Art & Trailer for New Season of PENNY DREADFUL
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-02-25 12:22:11
VIDEO: Sneak Peek - GREAT PERFORMANCES' Richard II, Premiering Today
by BWW
News Desk - 2013-09-20 00:30:00
STAGE TUBE: Queen Elizabeth to Get Sneak Peek at MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
by Caryn Robbins - 2011-11-02 09:57:35
TV: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE - Jonathan Groff Downtown; Talks BFF Lea Michele, GLEE, THE SUBMISSION & More!
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - 2011-10-06 09:46:16
STAGE TUBE: Judi Dench Sings 'Send in the Clowns' for Sondheim's 80th
by Robert Diamond - 2010-07-31 20:01:55
News
by Stephi Wild - May 19, 2026
Pitlochry Festival Theatre announced Henry Filloux-Bennett as Chief Executive and Sam Hardie as Deputy Artistic Director, joining Artistic Director Alan Cumming. The theatre also opened its Explorers Garden free to the public to mark its 75th anniversary.
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2026
For the first time in The London Palladium's history, audiences can stand on stage during JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, with tickets priced at £25 available now.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The complete cast for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The London Palladium has been announced, led by Sam Ryder as Jesus alongside Tyrone Huntley as Judas, with six performers rotating as King Herod.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2026
Simon Russell Beale has revealed that his exit from Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Titus Andronicus in September 2025 was due to colon cancer.
by Cheryl Markosky - Apr 21, 2026
Greg Doran, former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and celebrated Shakespearean, revives his acclaimed production of Venus and Adonis, Shakespeare's greatest narrative poem, for a limited UK tour starting in June.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 13, 2026
The full cast has been revealed for the strictly limited run of Peter Quilter’s End of the Rainbow, at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. The cast features Jinkx Monsoon as Judy Garland.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 7, 2026
Simon Russell Beale will return to the Barbican to narrate Greg Doran's production of Shakespeare's great poem Venus & Adonis, animated by a team of world-class puppeteers.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2026
Further casting has been announced for Jesus Christ Superstar at The London Palladium this summer. The cast will include Tyrone Huntley, Desmonda Cathabel, and David Thaxton.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 23, 2026
Further casting has been announced for Jesus Christ Superstar at The London Palladium this summer. Joining the previously announced Sam Ryder as Jesus are an all-star line-up of six performers sharing the role of King Herod.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 2, 2026
Production photos have been released for Two Halves of Guinness, the solo play celebrating the life and career of Sir Alec Guinness, starring Zeb Soanes. The production is currently touring the UK.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2026
Park Avenue Armory has appointed Deborah Warner as its Anita K. Hersh Artistic Director. Warner was named a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2006.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 5, 2026
The Corn Exchange Newbury has announced its upcoming spring programme of theatre, talks and live experiences, bringing together gripping drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, fascinating true crime, inspiring science and more.
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 9, 2025
Though the revival of Merrily We Roll Along ended its limited Broadway run in 2024, the show will live on in the form of the new filmed version, now in theaters. To celebrate the release of the hit Stephen Sondheim musical, we are taking a look back at the storied careers of its three leading stars, including Tony Award-winner Jonathan Groff.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2025
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director, Alan Cumming has announced his highly anticipated inaugural season of exciting programming for 2026, which will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the celebrated Scottish Highland Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2025
freeFall will continue their 25/26 season with Ira Levin's Deathtrap. Deathtrap provides twists and turns of devilish cleverness, and offers hilariously sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be spellbound until the very last moment.
by Franco Milazzo - Sep 23, 2025
One minute you’re in an East London street, the next you are immediately transported to early-1970s Kingston: the style, the sounds, the rhythms, the smell of ambition and frustration. The Harder They Come at Stratford East is a vivid, energetic production that honours the cult classic film while breathing new life into it.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025
FreeFall will continue its 25/26 season with Ira Levin's Deathtrap. Learn more about Deathtrap and see how to purchase tickets to upcoming performances here!
by Franco Milazzo - Sep 23, 2025
Hampstead Theatre has seen its fair share of gore. Even so, Max Webster’s Titus Andronicus leaves the boards drenched in something more caustic than fake blood: the acid tang of a civilisation eating itself. Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy is a grotesque feast, and here it’s served up with relish.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 11, 2025
This Friday, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will debut in theaters. Ahead of its release, critics have shared their thoughts on the conclusion of the beloved franchise. Find out what the critics are saying in our roundup here!
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 10, 2025
Ahead of the movie hitting theaters this week, the cast and crew of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale gathered for the film's New York premiere on Monday evening. Take a look at the photos here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Simon Russell Beale has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.
Simon Russell Beale has appeared on London's West End in 10 shows.
Simon Russell Beale's first West End show was Candide which opened in 1999
Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Temple, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Bluebird , Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Collaborators, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Winter's Tale, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jumpers , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Jumpers, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Performance (Obie Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Humble Boy, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet , Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Hamlet, Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Candide , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Othello , Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Troilus And Cressida, RSC, Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Man Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Leader of the Pack.
Simon Russell Beale has won several prestigious awards, including: - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy - Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Collaborators - Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist - Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya - Performance (Obie Awards) for Uncle Vanya - Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night - Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya - Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night - Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Hamlet - Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Candide.
Videos
