Full cast announced for Branagh's Romeo and Juliet

Full casting has been announced for Romeo and Juliet, which opens at the Garrick Theatre in May.

Playing the Nurse, Meera Syal (Behind The Beautiful Forevers) will join the previously announced Lily James (Juliet), Richard Madden (Romeo) and Derek Jacobi (Mercutio).

The full cast also includes: Marisa Berenson (Lady Capulet), Jack Colgrave Hirst (Benvolio), Tom Hanson (Paris), Matthew Hawksley (Anthony), Taylor James (Prince), Ansu Kabia (Tybalt), Racheal Ofori (Potpan), Nikki Patel (Balthasar), Chris Porter (Lord Montague), Zoe Rainey (Lady Montague), Michael Rouse (Lord Capulet), Sam Valentine (Friar Laurence) and Kathryn Wilder (Peta/Apothecary).

Meera Syal said: "I'm so looking forward to joining such an exciting and prestigious company, and to be performing Shakespeare with them in this, his 400th anniversary year."

The fifth production in the inaugural Plays at the Garrick season, Romeo and Juliet will be co-directed by Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford and runs at the Garrick from 12 May until 13 August, it will be broadcast live to cinemas on 7 July.