Lesley Manville’s Reign: From Olivier-Winning ‘Oedipus’ to Critically Hailed Thrillers ‘Winter of the Crow’ and ‘Grotesquerie’
Lesley Manville’s Unstoppable Momentum: Why She’s the Undisputed Queen of Stage and Screen Right Now
In a career defined by impeccable choices and transformative performances, Lesley Manville is currently experiencing a phenomenal peak, solidifying her status as one of the most vital and commanding actors of her generation. While global audiences know her from her exquisite turn as Princess Margaret in Netflix’s The Crown or the heartwarming Ada Harris in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, her recent work on both the London stage and in major film and television projects is what’s truly generating industry buzz. At this moment, Manville is not just working; she is delivering career-defining performances that span a dramatic spectrum from ancient Greek tragedy to chilling modern spy thrillers.
The latest development, driven by recent interviews and critical acclaim, paints a picture of an artist at the top of her game, challenging herself with complex roles that eschew the typical fare offered to actresses her age. From the ongoing, critically hailed run of her Olivier-winning stage role to her scene-stealing television villainy, Lesley Manville’s current momentum is a masterclass in artistic longevity and ambition.
The Stage Triumph: Resonating with ‘Oedipus’ in the Modern Era
The most immediate news surrounding Manville is the continued resonance of her work in Robert Icke’s acclaimed, modernised production of Sophocles’ ancient tragedy, Oedipus. Manville stars as Jocasta alongside Mark Strong as Oedipus, and their work has been hailed as a brilliant reimagining that transforms the classic into a tense, contemporary political thriller.
A recent piece highlighted the production’s enduring power, with Manville herself reflecting on the profound writing and the necessity of making ancient stories feel modern and relevant. In this interpretation, the themes of fate, political upheaval, and devastating familial secrets are wired directly into the present day, making the drama shockingly immediate. The production opens in a campaign room on election night, immediately establishing a high-stakes, political backdrop that feels far removed from a classic Greek amphitheatre, yet perfectly captures the essence of Sophocles’ commentary on power and destiny.
Manville’s performance as Jocasta, the woman caught in the centre of a mythological catastrophe, earned her the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2025, a testament to her ability to bring complex, nuanced life to tortured characters. She notes that the modern staging is what makes the play indelible, believing that classic works should not be restricted to the period they were written in, but rather brought forward to demonstrate their continued relevance to a contemporary audience. Her portrayal, which she describes as part of a love story—where Jocasta and Oedipus are funny, argue, and deeply need each other—makes the final revelations all the more devastating.
This Olivier-winning turn is a significant marker in her career, reaffirming her prowess as a theatrical titan and guaranteeing that the West End production will be a definitive talking point until its final curtain call. The success of this run underscores Manville’s deep commitment to the craft of acting, particularly on stage, where her stamina and connection to the material shine through.
Critically Hailed on Screen: The Spy Thriller and the TV Villain
While Manville’s stage work is drawing crowds, her screen career is simultaneously reaching new heights, particularly in the realm of gripping drama and thrilling narrative twists.
‘Winter of the Crow’ Takes Flight at TIFF
One of the most exciting recent developments is the initial critical reception for her highly-anticipated spy thriller, Winter of the Crow. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025, sees Manville take on the role of Dr. Andrews, an academic who finds herself on the run in Warsaw during the martial law of 1981.
Reviews for the film have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics singling out Manville’s performance as the glue that holds the rich, atmospheric thriller together. She was hailed as “simply spectacular” by one major outlet, with others describing her turn as “tightly wound and compelling.” The consensus is that Manville joins the “burgeoning ranks of 60-something accidental heroes,” proving once again that she can command a high-stakes, suspenseful narrative just as effectively as she navigates an emotional drama. The film’s focus on an older woman as the protagonist of a tense spy thriller aligns perfectly with Manville’s own publicly vocal desire for more complex, diverse stories about older women to be told on screen, making the project a thematic victory as much as an artistic one.
The Sensation of ‘Grotesquerie’
On the television front, Manville ended the previous year with a career-highlight performance in Ryan Murphy’s dark, peculiar series, Grotesquerie. The one-year anniversary of her performance as the cruel, hard-nosed Nurse Redd brought a renewed appreciation for the role, with critics noting that she turned what could have been a fleeting part into a substantial meal.
Manville initially seemed like an unexpected fit for a Ryan Murphy project known for its stylized excess, but her unpredictable nature as an actress allowed her to excel in a part that was savage, sexy, and peculiar. The role demonstrated her capacity to pivot dramatically from the period elegance of The Crown to the high-camp horror of a psychological thriller. Her move toward these “peculiar and thrilling” parts is indicative of an artist continually seeking to hone her craft and defy industry definitions, securing her spot as one of the most captivating actors in the business today.
Looking Ahead: A Packed Schedule of High-Profile Projects
Manville’s schedule shows no signs of slowing down, ensuring her omnipresence across all major entertainment mediums for the foreseeable future. Following the success of Oedipus, her next major stage commitment is another highly anticipated revival: Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre.
Set to premiere in March 2026, Manville will star as the formidable Marquise de Merteuil alongside Aidan Turner’s Vicomte de Valmont. This adaptation, which focuses on how patriarchy and reputation can ruin women in the world of the super-rich, will see Manville wield her intelligence and control as a master strategist, a role perfectly suited to her dramatic depth and commanding stage presence. The announcement of the full cast and premiere date in October 2025 generated significant excitement among theatre enthusiasts.
In cinema, following Winter of the Crow, she is also slated to appear in the comedy-horror film Cold Storage, alongside Liam Neeson and Joe Keery. This genre-bending project, which centers on a dangerous parasite escaping a government lab, proves that Manville continues to embrace roles that are far from conventional, cementing her reputation as an actor who thrives on challenge and creative risk.
Lesley Manville is not simply having a moment; she is orchestrating a sustained period of artistic excellence. By dominating the West End with a multi-award-winning performance and simultaneously earning spectacular reviews for her work in cutting-edge films and television, she has cemented her legacy as an unparalleled force in the global entertainment landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What role did Lesley Manville win an Olivier Award for in 2025?
Lesley Manville won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2025 for her portrayal of Jocasta in Robert Icke’s modern adaptation of the Greek tragedy, Oedipus. She starred opposite Mark Strong in the acclaimed West End production.
What are the next projects for Lesley Manville?
Manville has several high-profile projects upcoming. She is set to star in the major stage revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre, premiering in March 2026. Her upcoming films include the critically-praised spy thriller Winter of the Crow and the comedy-horror film Cold Storage.
What is ‘Winter of the Crow’ about, and what is Manville’s role?
Winter of the Crow is a spy thriller based on a short story by Olga Tokarczuk. It is set in Warsaw during martial law in 1981 and stars Lesley Manville as Dr. Andrews, an academic who suddenly finds herself on the run through the city. Her performance was described as “simply spectacular” by critics following its TIFF premiere.
Did Lesley Manville appear in a Ryan Murphy production recently?
Yes, Lesley Manville starred in the Ryan Murphy limited series Grotesquerie, where she played the highly acclaimed, peculiar, and hard-nosed character, Nurse Redd. Her performance in the series was highlighted as a major career success, showcasing her versatility in a darker, more stylistic genre.
What other major roles is Lesley Manville known for?
Manville is widely known for her roles as Princess Margaret in the final seasons of Netflix’s The Crown, her Oscar-nominated performance as Cyril Woodcock in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread, and the titular role in the feel-good film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. She is also famous for her extensive theatre career and the BAFTA-nominated TV series Mum.
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