Cast announcement for Our Friends in the North 1979-84 at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Live Theatre, Eastlake Productions and Newcastle Theatre Royal announced the cast for Our Friends in the North (1979–84), the new stage adaptation of Peter Flannery’s landmark BBC drama – the first major co-production between the three organisations.

Ryan Nolan will play Nicky, an ambitious and idealistic would-be politician drawn into the realities of power; Scott Turnbull is Geordie, a former soldier whose life becomes increasingly shaped by his involvement in Newcastle’s criminal underworld; Jack Robertson takes on Tosker, a self-made entrepreneur whose fortunes shift with the changing economic landscape of the 1980s; and Sam Neale plays Mary, whose loyalty and resilience are tested as the lives of her friends move in different directions.

The production runs at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Thursday 15 to Saturday 24 October 2026. It is directed by Live Theatre Artistic Director Jack McNamara and adapted with the original writer Peter Flannery.

“The writing and scale still feel so ambitious, and I’m thrilled to be saying Peter’s words and to be working with Jack McNamara again.” said Ryan Nolan.

Further casting brings together a company of performers from across the North East. Ensemble members including Meena Al-Nawrasy, Chris Connel, Jane Holman, Leo James, Cooper McDonough, Jude Nelson and Robert Punchard, reflecting the scale of the production and the partners’ commitment to developing and showcasing both established and emerging talent from the region.

First broadcast in 1996, Our Friends in the North followed four friends from Newcastle across three decades of post-war Britain. It became one of the defining British television dramas of its era, widely praised for its ambition and its unflinching portrayal of politics and personal responsibility. Its original cast included Daniel Craig, Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee and Mark Strong.

Three decades on, the story continues to resonate for its exploration of ambition, friendship, betrayal and the ripple effects of political decision-making on everyday lives.

Jack McNamara, Artistic Director of Live Theatre and director of the production, said:

“We opened the doors on this casting process and saw hundreds of people from across the region. The quality was staggering and is testament to the acting talent that is out there in the North East. I am grateful to every single person who came through the door or sent tapes, and I know a lot of new connections will be made as a result. The cast we have is truly exciting, ranging from some of our most established actors through to a member of Live’s Youth Theatre. It will be an ensemble to die for, and I cannot wait for them to take to Newcastle Theatre Royal’s stage and bring this iconic story home.”

Rather than retelling the full sweep of the original nine-part television series, this new stage adaptation focuses on two defining years in the story – 1979 and 1984 – using them as a lens to explore how political and social change is experienced in ordinary lives.

In 1979, as Britain stands on the threshold of a new political era, the lives of the four friends begin to drift in different directions. Nicky is drawn into parliamentary politics, Tosker finds himself in the midst of a life-changing romance, and Geordie becomes increasingly entangled in Newcastle’s criminal underworld.

By 1984, the miners’ strike dominates the national landscape, reshaping communities and relationships across the country. The pressures of the time intensify existing tensions, forcing each of the friends to confront difficult choices about loyalty, identity and survival.

Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said:

“This is exactly the kind of ambitious work we want to be part of – made with outstanding partners, rooted in the North East, and telling a story that continues to speak powerfully to audiences today. We’re delighted to be co-producing it for our stage.”

Jamie Eastlake, Executive Producer of Eastlake Productions, said:

“This region has incredible talent and extraordinary stories to tell. This show brings those strengths together in a powerful demonstration of ambition and partnership, creating a platform that will inspire and catalyse even more bold, large-scale storytelling from this remarkable place.”

The production brings together Live Theatre, Eastlake Productions and Newcastle Theatre Royal in a collaboration combining new writing expertise, independent producing and large-scale theatre production.  

Our Friends in the North (1979–84) plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal Thursday 15 to Saturday 24 October 2026. Tickets are available here.