Jodie McNee has joined the cast for the world premiere of Ilford Boy by Danny Lee Wynter at the Donmar Warehouse, stepping into the role of Jackie.
McNee replaces the previously announced Sinéad Matthews, who withdrew from the production to complete her recovery from a recent injury. McNee returns to the Donmar Warehouse following her appearance in the venue's virtual reality experience Adult Children. Her extensive stage credits include The New Real at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Minority Report at the Lyric Hammersmith, Orlando at the Garrick Theatre, and Anatomy of a Suicide at the Royal Court, along with screen roles in Official Secrets, Judy, and The Marlow Murder Club.
Directed by Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Tim Sheader, the upcoming production opens on 20 October 2026, following previews from 10 October, and runs through 28 November 2026.
Set in 1990s East London, Ilford Boy centers on Ted Martin, a mixed-race teenager navigating a chaotic home life. The narrative follows the arrival of a new figure named Patrick, whose sense of style, humor, and appreciation for show tunes exposes Ted to new artistic possibilities and personal growth outside his traditional surroundings.
The full company features Lindsey Coulson as Eileen, Cary Crankson as Trevor, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Ken, Aaron Gill as Raj, Charlotte Jaconelli as Ann, Craig Stein as Patrick, Leo Whitfield-Harris as Ted, and Ria Zmitrowicz as Tillie.
The creative team includes set designer Peter McKintosh, costume designer Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting designer Aideen Malone, sound designer Tony Gayle, choreographer and intimacy director Ebony Molina, fight director Kate Waters, and composer Eamonn O'Dwyer. Casting is by Lotte Hines CDG with associate Lilly Mackie.
Ilford Boy is part of the Donmar Warehouse’s current season, which also includes productions of A Month in the Country, The King’s Ransom, and No Man’s Land.
Tickets range from £15 for standing allocations to £70, with £20 concession tickets available for patrons aged 35 and under supported by Barclays. Performance schedules and bookings are accessible via the Donmar Warehouse website.
