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Jessica Chastain cancels West End debut

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Jessica Chastain attends Netflix's
Jessica Chastain is set to star on Broadway. (Getty Images)

Jessica Chastain has confirmed she will not be starring in a West End production of A Doll's House.

The Oscar-winning actor was originally announced for the play in early 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down theatres worldwide.

Chastain said: "When I sat down with the brilliant Jamie Lloyd five years ago to discuss a possible collaboration, I was over the moon when we decided on A Doll's House.

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"We were set to start rehearsals in London in April 2020, but little did we know what the world (and a pandemic) had in store for us."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Jessica Chastain attends the 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Jessica Chastain was supposed to make her West End debut. (FilmMagic)

She added: "While home in New York, walking around the empty theatre district made my heart hurt. New York has been my home for over 20 years and it's immensely important to me to take care of this city and support my artist neighbours."

Chastain also said: "I hope in the future to work in the West End, but for now I can’t wait to be together with all of the wonderful people of New York and my artistic community on Broadway."

After its initial cancellation, it was announced that Chastain would take up her role in the West End when theatres ultimately reopened.

In May 2020, the play's director Jamie Lloyd said: "I'm thrilled that Jessica Chastain will lead A Doll's House as soon as we can get back in the theatre."

The Good Nurse (2022). Jessica Chastain as Amy Loughren. Cr. JoJo Whilden / Netflix
Jessica Chastain in 'The Good Nurse'. (Netflix)

A Doll's House was originally supposed to take place at the Playhouse Theatre. No dates or venues have been announced for its Broadway run.

Though best known for her film work in movies such as The Tree of Life, Zero Dark Thirty and Interstellar, Chastain previously appeared on stage in 2012.

Chastain starred in a revival of The Heiress as Catherine Sloper and received mixed reviews.

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