Photo Flash: First Look at Bryan Cranston in NETWORK at the National Theatre

Howard Beale, news anchorman, isn't pulling in the viewers. In his final broadcast he unravels live on screen. But when the ratings soar, the network seize on their newfound populist prophet, and Howard becomes the biggest thing on TV.

Network depicts a dystopian media landscape where opinion trumps fact. Hilarious and horrifying by turns, the iconic film by Paddy Chayefsky won four Academy Awards in 1976. Now, Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) and director Ivo van Hove(Hedda Gabler) bring his masterwork to the stage for the first time, with Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) in the role of Howard Beale.

Network runs until March 24 at the National Theatre. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/network.

Photo Credit: Jan Versweyveld

Bryan Cranston and cast

Bryan Cranston and cast

Bryan Cranston and cast

Douglas Henshall and Michelle Dockery

Bryan Cranston and cast

Tunji Kasim, Michelle Dockery and cast

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston, Douglas Henshall, and cast

Douglas Henshall and Michelle Dockery

Patrick Poletti, Michelle Dockery, Ian Drysdale, Douglas Henshall, Charles Babalola, and Paksie Vernon

Michelle Dockery and Douglas Henshall

Michelle Dockery