Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa takes the lead in David Copperfield audio
Gatwa leads the cast in the new audio drama from Sam Mendes.
Following his all-star adaptation of Oliver Twist last year, the cast has now been announced for Skyfall and Spectre director Sam Mendes's audio adaptation of Charles Dickens's David Copperfield.
Starring in the title role of the Academy Award-winning director's re-telling of the story will be new Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, while he will be joined by The Crown's Helena Bonham Carter as Aunt Betsey Trotwood and The White Lotus's Theo James as James Steerforth.
Also featuring in the audio drama will be Jessie Buckley (Women Talking), Richard Armitage (Obsession), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Toby Jones (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Ralph Ineson (The Gallows Pole), Indira Varma (Extrapolations) and Katy Wix (Ghosts).
As in the novel, Mendes's version of David Copperfield will see Gatwa's hero finding his way in a challenging world. You can pre-order the audio drama, which will be released on 30th November, right here now.
The official synopsis for the audio drama says: "We journey with David as he comes across his eccentric Aunt Betsey, the faithful Peggotty and loquacious Mr Micawber, comes up against the villainous Micawbers and Uriah Heep, and falls in love with Little Em'ly, Dora and Agnes.
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"And then there is old school friend James Steerforth, dashing, daring and seductive. This dramatisation explores the complexities and intimacies of that relationship beyond anything possible in Dickens's day, in an adaptation giving fresh life and vividness to this beloved tale."
Mendes said: "I'm thrilled to continue my collaboration with Audible after the success of Oliver Twist, and where better to go next than to David Copperfield, which for so many – and indeed for Dickens himself – is a favourite amongst his canon?"
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He continued: "We have an outstanding cast, led by the incomparable Ncuti Gatwa, whose amazing comic timing brings new dimensions to the character of David.
"In the sound design we’ve leaned into hyper realism so that the listener really feels like they’re on the journey with David through his misfortunes and triumphs. Another feast for the ears."
Sam Mendes’s David Copperfield is available to pre-order now at Audible - get a free trial for Audible here. and will be released on 30th November 2023.
Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
