National Theatre unveils full cast for Tracey Scott Wilson’s The Story UK premiere
The National Theatre has announced the complete casting for the UK premiere of Tracey Scott Wilson’s newsroom drama The Story. This new production, directed by Clint Dyer, marks the play’s debut on a UK stage and will open in the Olivier Theatre later this year.
The Story will run at the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre from 27 August to 24 October 2026, presenting a gripping drama about four journalists competing to break a major story. The narrative focuses on the killing of a white teacher in a Black neighbourhood and explores the ethical and personal compromises the reporters face as new evidence unfolds.
Originally produced in New York in 2003, The Story was a finalist for the 2002 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. This production marks Tracey Scott Wilson’s first UK staging and comes at a time when the quest for truth in journalism remains fiercely relevant.
The cast features Letitia Wright making her National Theatre debut as the ambitious reporter Yvonne, alongside Aliyah Odoffin as Latisha, Ashley Thomas as Neil, Lorraine Toussaint as Pat, and Wilf Scolding as Jeff.
Newly revealed principal cast members include Antonia Bernath as Jessica Dunn, Josh Goulding as Tim Dunn, Jay Simpson as Detective, and Unique Spencer as Adrienne. They join an ensemble of company members Arianne Carless, Roland Royal III and Matt Whitchurch, plus previously announced actors Tee Arnold, Donna Augustin, Reanna Bleu, Katie Buchholz, and Linseigh Green.
Director Clint Dyer highlighted the play’s urgency and complexity, noting “In a time of little nuance, the cost of a ‘story’ is felt… This timely, important play by Tracey Scott Wilson fearlessly talks into why we should always fight for the truth.”
The production’s creative team includes set designer Anna Fleischle, costume designer Natalie Pryce, lighting designer Paul Anderson, and sound designer Benjamin Grant. Other contributors are movement director Lucie Pankhurst, co-video designers Gino Ricardo Green and Tal Yarden, and intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon.
Casting directors Alastair Coomer and Martin Poile worked alongside vocal coaches Hazel Holder and Cathleen McCarron, with staff director Emily Aboud also part of the team bringing this journalistic drama to the Olivier stage.
