Ncuti Gatwa, the 15th actor to take on the role of Doctor Who and star of Netflix’s Sex Education, is taking the lead in Audible’s latest Charles Dickens adaptation, playing the role of David Copperfield, the company has announced.
The audio drama will be executive produced by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, known for his work on films like American Beauty and Skyfall. This is the second Charles Dickens adaptation that Mendes has executive-produced for Audible, following the success of Oliver Twist, which launched last year and starred Succession’s Brian Cox as narrator.
“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,” said Mendes. “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.”
Other stars that will feature in the adaptation of the 1850s novel include Harry Potter’s Helena Bonham Carter, The White Lotus’ Theo James, Wild Rose’s Jessie Buckley, The Hobbit’s Richard Armitage, Slow Horses' Jack Lowden, and Detectorists’ Toby Jones.
The podcast is currently being recorded in Audible’s London studio and the Charles Dickens Museum, and is set to release globally on 30 November on Audible.
“We are delighted to be working with the incredible Sam Mendes again in the next instalment of our Dickens collaboration," said Aurelie de Troyer, Audible's head of content for UK and Canada.
"David Copperfield features rich storytelling and who better to breathe new life into the character of David, than the shining star that is Ncuti Gatwa in his audio drama acting debut. The cast is sensational and the cinematic sound design will transport listeners to Dickens’ world as soon as they hit play.”
