Death Comes to Pemberley stage show to tour – with cast including EastEnders star James Bye

Exclusive: EastEnders star James Bye will take on the role of Mr Darcy in the theatrical world premiere of Death Comes to Pemberley.

A stage adaptation of PD James’s sequel to Pride and Prejudice and adapted by Duncan Abel and Rachel Wagstaff, the production is directed by Joe Harmston and will open at the Mill at Sonning from 1 May to 28 June before embarking on a UK tour.

Set six years after the events of Pride and Prejudice, the story follows Elizabeth and Darcy as their life at Pemberley is disrupted by a shocking murder. When Elizabeth’s sister Lydia arrives in distress with news of a death in the woods, suspicion falls on her husband, George Wickham. As the investigation unfolds, hidden secrets emerge, and the stability of Pemberley is thrown into question.

Bye, who recently exited Eastenders, said he was excited to transition from his long-running role in the BBC soap, adding: “After a decade of gritty storylines it’s going to be quite a switch to put on period clothes as one of literature’s romantic leading men, but I can’t wait for this new chapter to begin.”

Joining him in the cast is Jamie-Rose Duke as Elizabeth Darcy, Celia Cruwys-Finnigan as Georgina Darcy, Sean Rigby as Colonel Fitzwilliam, Paul Jerricho as Mr Bidwell, Mogali Masuku as Lydia Wickham, Sam Woodhams as George Wickham and David Osmond as Henry Alveston. Further casting is yet to be announced.

The creative team includes set designer Sean Cavanagh, costume and hair designer Natalie Titchener, lighting designer Mike Robertson, musical director David Osmond, and casting director Kate Plantin. Harmston’s directing credits include The Lover and The Collection at the Donmar Warehouse and The Father at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.

Following its run at the Mill at Sonning, Death Comes to Pemberley will tour to Theatre Royal Windsor from 22 to 26 July, Cardiff New Theatre from 29 July to 2 August, Bath Theatre Royal from 5 to 9 August, Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from 12 to 16 August, Bromley Churchill Theatre from 19 to 23 August, Wycombe Swan from 26 to 30 August, Brighton Theatre Royal from 2 to 6 September, and Richmond Theatre from 9 to 13 September.

The production marks co-producer Mill at Sonning’s first national tour – as well as their first venture with co-producers Studio RA. The venue, which operates as a dinner theatre, has won multiple awards, including the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production for Gypsy in 2023. It remains a family-run theatre, now co-managed by Sally Hughes and film producer Adam Rolston.