Cranston and Jean-Baptiste to return to West End

Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston and recent Bafta nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste are set to star in a new stage production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.

The pair will be joined by I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu in the production, which will open in London's West End in November.

First performed in 1947, All My Sons established Miller as a major voice in US theatre and is one of his most enduring plays.

Speaking to BBC News, Jean-Baptiste said she hoped the new production would "tell a new story, of an old story".

All My Sons centres on Joe Keller, a man who is charged with shipping defective aircraft engines during World War Two. He escapes jail, but must deal with his guilt when his co-worker takes the blame and is convicted.

It explores themes of shame, denial, grief and loyalty, focusing on Joe's complex relationships with those around him, including with his wife Kate (who will be played by Jean-Baptiste).

The production, directed by Ivo Van Hove, will play at the Wyndham's Theatre from 14 November to 7 February 2026.

Speaking from Los Angeles, where she lives, Jean-Baptiste said: "All things that deal with the family and relationships remain relevant throughout time, they sort of transcend in that way, and to me it just felt like being able to delve into something that's quite personal.

"But also the way that Ivo does stuff kind of feels timeless, and I just felt that this was something that would be really interesting to explore."

She noted: "Some of the language is of the time, but I'm interested in the challenge of making it very relevant now, and dealing with loss, denial, guilt are things the human beings do throughout time."

The play has been revived several times over the decades, and was last performed in London in 2019, with Sally Field and Bill Pullman appearing in a production at the Old Vic.

All My Sons will mark Van Hove's third Miller production, having directed A View From A Bridge and The Crucible, which both played in London and on Broadway.

Van Hove described All My Sons as "a devastating exploration of guilt, responsibility, and the far-reaching consequences of our choices, especially in times of war".

Asked about her ambition for the new production, Jean-Baptiste said: "I hope it's just something that's fresh, leaves the audience thinking or feeling, that would be my only hope for the production, that it tells a new story, of an old story."

In a statement, Cranston added: "Arthur Miller, Ivo Van Hove, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Paapa Essiedu... If there is something that I know beyond a shadow of doubt, is to surround yourself with the most talented people.

"This group of creative artists has got me so excited to be a part of the All My Sons company."

Cranston is best known for portraying Walter White in TV series Breaking Bad, and has also appeared in Your Honour and Malcolm in the Middle.

He was last on the London stage in a 2017 adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie Network, also directed by Van Hove, at the National Theatre.

Jean-Baptiste is known for appearing in TV crime drama Without A Trace and was nominated for a Bafta earlier this year for her performance in Hard Truths.

The film was directed by Mike Leigh, marking his second collaboration with Jean-Baptiste after the pair worked together on 1996's Oscar-nominated Secrets & Lies.

Jean-Baptiste said returning to the UK meant she was also looking forward to "getting through a load of books, walking, people watching, seeing my family regularly, and friends that still live in London."

But, in contrast to the sunshine of Los Angeles, Jean-Baptiste joked she would need "coats, scarves and hats" given she will be performing in London over winter.