The Playboy of the Western World, the dark comedy starring Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney, has released its first look. With the Derry Girls stars reuniting for an exciting new project, here’s what you need to know.
The stage play, which is written by John Millington Synge and directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, is billed as a “story of youth and self-discovery”, with the action depicting a peculiar case of local celebrity and fame.
“Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father,” reads the logline for the upcoming production.
“Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…”
The first image sees Coughlan, who portrays Pegeen Mike in the stage play, in the rehearsal studio, with other pictures seeing other members of the cast – including McSweeney – preparing for their roles.
Marc Brenner and Cameron Slater
Related: Best streaming services UK 2025 — including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+
Coughlan and McSweeney, who played Clare Devlin and Sister George Michael on Derry Girls respectively, are joined in the cast by Éanna Hardwicke, Marty Breen, Declan Conlon, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack and Naoise Dunbar amongst others.
The Playboy of the Western World will premiere at the Lyttelton Theatre, which is part of London’s National Theatre building, on 4 December, with performances running until 28 February 2026.
While the stage play will see Coughlan and McSweeney reunite, it’s unknown if they will reprise their roles on Derry Girls, with the acclaimed sitcom seemingly coming to an end following its third season in 2022.
Marc Brenner and Cameron Slater
Related: First look at Nicola Coughlan in new British movie
“I think the thing that makes shows great is that you want to end them, and don’t ruin them by dragging them out for years and years and years,” said McSweeney of the show’s future back in 2023.
“So I think we’ve left the characters in a good place, a good place of hope, a place of peace. So why not leave them there for the time being? I see Sister Michael every time I open my eyes anyway. She’s always with me. It would never be down to me anyway.”
The Playboy of the Western World premieres at London’s Lyttelton Theatre on 4 December.
The new edition of Living Legends is here! Buy Ariana & Witches in newsagents or online, priced at just £8.99.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.