Ncuti Gatwa, Helena Bonham Carter, Theo James, Jessie Buckley, Richard Armitage, Jack Lowden & Indira Varma Set For Sam Mendes Audible Update Of ‘David Copperfield’

By Andreas Wiseman

August 15, 2023 11:05pm


EXCLUSIVE: Sex Education and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa is set to star as David Copperfield in a new all-star Audible series executive-produced by Oscar winner Sam Mendes.

Also starring in the series will be Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd), Theo James (The White Lotus), Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl), Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Indira Varma (Obi-Wan), Ralph Ineson (The Witch) and newcomer Reece Kenwyne Mpudzi.

David Copperfield is the second in Sam Mendes’ Charles Dickens collaborations with Audible, following Oliver Twist which released last year.

Dickens himself referred to David Copperfield as his “favourite child” and the series will explore the life and loves of a gentle orphan in an indifferent adult world. Characters will include the novel’s eccentric Aunt Betsey, the faithful Peggotty and loquacious Mr.Micawber, the villainous Micawbers and Uriah Heep, Little Em’ly, Dora and Agnes, as well as old school friend James Steerforth, dashing, daring and seductive.

According to Audible, this dramatization “explores the complexities and intimacies of the Steerforth relationship beyond anything possible in Dickens’ day”.

As with Mendes’ Oliver Twist, David Copperfield will be released globally by Audible and is being recorded in Audible’s London studio, as well as in the Charles Dickens Museum. Release is slated for November 30. Directors are Daniel Jewel and Mariele Runacre-Temple.

1917, Skyfall and American Beauty director 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. 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.”

Entertainment
'Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa to lead 'David Copperfield' audio adaptation

Written by
Tanvi Gupta
August 16, 2023 | 04:28 pm 2 min read


Ncuti Gatwa—renowned for Sex Education—is set to headline Audible's upcoming audio drama adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novel, David Copperfield. The series—co-produced by Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes—is said to delve into the life of people from the author's own life. It boasts a star-studded cast of Theo James, Helena Bonham Carter, Jessie Buckley, Richard Armitage, Jack Lowden, and Toby Jones. Before its exclusive release on Audible on November 30, here's everything you need to know about the adaptation.

Why does this story matter?

Director Mendes, who is popularly known for helming movies such as 1917, Revolutionary Road, Skyfall, and American Beauty, is collaborating with the online audiobook and podcast platform, Audible for the second time. David Copperfield follows the successful release of an Oliver Twist adaptation, which featured the voices of actors Brian Coz from HBO's Succession and Kit Connor from Heartstopper. Notably, the current adaptation is being recorded at Audible's London studio and the historic Charles Dickens Museum.

Adaptation will explore the complexities and intimacies of Copperfield

Mendes's version of Copperfield will delve into the complexities of an orphan navigating challenges in an adult world. Per reports, the key characters include the novel's peculiar Aunt Betsey, the devoted Peggotty, and Mr. Micawber, alongside the antagonistic Micawber duo and the deceitful Uriah Heep. Other characters include Little Em'ly Dora and Agnes, as well as the protagonist's old school friend, the dashing, audacious, and alluring James Steerforth.

Mendes praised Gatwa's performance in a statement

Mendes, in a statement, shared that the listeners can anticipate a hyper-realistic sound design that will fully immerse them in Copperfield's journey through his various misfortunes and triumphs, which serves as another feast to the ears. The director also praised Gatwa's performance, saying, "We have an outstanding cast, led by the incomparable Gatwa whose amazing comic timing brings new dimensions to the character of Copperfield."

If you're looking to immerse yourself in the compelling world of book-to-Audible adaptations, we highly recommend delving into the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling—made into eight full-length feature films. Additionally, the legendary trilogy, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien offers a delightful option for easy listening. One can also add adaptations of Gone Girl, Dune, The Color Purple, Handmaid's Tale, and Lovecraft Country.

Ncuti Gatwa, Helena Bonham Carter, and Theo James Join 'David Copperfield' Audible Series
By
Jennifer Glynn
Published Aug 16, 2023

The voice cast will also include Indira Varma, Richard Armitage, Jack Lowden, Toby Jones, Ralph Ineson, and Jessie Buckley.
doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa2


-Sam Mendes' upcoming David Copperfield audible series boasts a star-studded cast including Ncuti Gatwa, Helena Bonham Carter, and Theo James.
- Gatwa's phenomenal comic timing brings new dimensions to the character of David, according to executive-producer Mendes.
-The series will explore the complexities of the Steerforth relationship beyond anything possible in Dickens' day and is set to premiere on

Audible on November 30, 2023.

Sam Mendes’ upcoming David Copperfield audible series now has a star-studded cast, featuring Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa as the lead. According to a recent Deadline article, the new series will also star big names such as Harry Potter’s Helena Bonham Carter and The White Lotus’ Theo James.The upcoming audible series will feature an all-star cast, Alongside Gatwa, James, and Bonham Carter.

“We have an outstanding cast, led by the incomparable Ncuti Gatwa whose amazing comic timing brings new dimensions to the character of David,” executive-producer Mendes (director of Skyfall and American Beauty) announced today. Gatwa, who has risen to fame with his roles as Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education and as the Fifteenth Doctor in ABC’s sci-fi series Doctor Who, will portray the titular character David Copperfield.

Bonham Carter's (Sweeney Todd, The Crown) role in the series has currently not been disclosed. Whilst largely known for her roles in film and television, including most notably playing Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films, Bonham Carter has previous experience in portraying a Charles Dickens’ character, having played wealthy spinster Miss Havisham in the 2012 film adaptation of Great Expectations. James (The Time Traveler's Wife, Divergent film series), and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking, Chernobyl) are both set to star in the audible series in thus far unknown roles.

The cast will also include Richard Armitage (The Hobbit, The Man from Rome), Indira Varma (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Obsession), Toby Jones (Iniana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Hunger Games), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, The Gold), and Ralph Ineson (Book of Lorath, To Catch a Killer). Additionally, newcomer Reece Kenwyne Mpudzi is set to round out the main cast.

What Is the Audible Series About?

David Copperfield will be the second Dickens’ novel adapted to Audible by Oscar-winner Mendes. “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,” Mendes said, with plans to release the series globally in collaboration with Audible on November 30.

Last year, Mendes successfully released Oliver Twist with Audible, which starred Patricia Allison (Sex Education, Extraordinary) and Kit Connor (Heartstopper, Rocketman). Audible has promised that this new series will “[explore] the complexities and intimacies of the Steerforth relationship beyond anything possible in Dickens’ day.” Currently, there are plans to record the series in both Audible’s London studio and in the Charles Dickens Museum. Daniel Jewel and Mariele Runacre-Temple (Oliver Twist, The Sandman) are slated to direct the series.

David Copperfield will focus on the tale of the titular character, David: an orphan forced to explore a world full of indifferent adults. Said to be Dickens’ “favourite child,” the series will also include familiar characters such as Aunt Betsey, Mr. Micawber and his family, Peggotty, Uriah Heep, Dora, Agnes, Little Em’ly, and James Steerforth. To date there have been several film and television adaptations of Dickens’ work in the past, including most recently The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019), starring Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Hugh Laurie (House M.D.), and Tilda Swinton (Asteroid City).

David Copperfield will premiere globally November 30, 2023 on Audible.