Uzo Aduba is heading to the West End! The two-time Emmy winner and Broadway alum will star opposite Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael and Zawe Ashton in Jean Genet’s The Maids. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the U.K. premiere of Benedict Andrews and Andrew Upton’s contemporary version of the classic will begin previews on February 20, 2016 at the Trafalgar Studios and officially open on February 29.
Aduba currently stars in Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, for which she has won two Emmys, and will soon appear in NBC’s telecast of The Wiz Live! Her Broadway credits include Coram Boy and Godspell. Carmichael is best known for playing Lady Edith on Downton Abbey. Additional screen credits include Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and Madam Bovary; she made her West debut in 2012 in Uncle Vanya. Ashton was most recently seen on stage in Splendour at the Donmar Warehouse and her screen credis include Fresh Meat and Not Safe For Work.
In a luxurious bedroom, two maids fantasize about killing their employer, playing out dangerous and sadistic scenarios as they plan her violent death. An intense psychological thriller, The Maids is a vicious analysis of the class system, and a provocative exploration of gender and sexuality. Aduba and Ashton will play the maids, Solange and Claire. Carmichael is set to play Madam.
The production will feature design by Soutra Gilmour.