Linus Roache withdraws from Owain & Henry with Michael Sheen

Owain & Henry, starring Michael Sheen, has announced a casting update.

Written by Gary Owen and co-directed by Sheen and Steffan Donnelly, the production is a Wales Millennium Centre and Welsh National Theatre co-production.

The play explores the conflict between Welsh prince Owain Glyndŵr and King Henry IV. Set in 1400, the story follows Glyndŵr after he is declared an outlaw by the king, leading him to launch a rebellion that threatens Henry’s hold on the throne. The production is part of a collaboration between Wales Millennium Centre and Welsh National Theatre, with Mab Gwalia, Sheen’s movement for change, providing opportunities for Welsh artists through associate and assistant roles.

Sheen and Linus Roache had been set to lead the cast as Glyndŵr and Henry IV, but Nigel Barrett will now step into the role of Henry.

The venue said in a statement: “Sadly, Linus Roache has had to step away from Owain & Henry due to illness. Celebrated actor Nigel Barrett will take over the role of Henry from now on. A winner of The Stage Award for Best Actor and the Samuel Beckett Theatre Award, Nigel’s impressive theatre credits include Hamnet and Julius Caesar with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“We want to say a huge thank you to Linus for his time and work on the show, and we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

Also in the cast are Rakie Ayola as Mared Ferch Dafydd, Owain’s wife, and Emily Burnett as their daughter, Catrin Ferch Owain. Sophie Melville plays Lois, with Ned Costello as Hal, Brendan Charleson as Percy, Sion Tudor Owen as Sir John Falstaff, Gruffudd Glyn as Bryn, Ian Hughes as Baron Reginald Grey, David Judge as Hotspur, Richard Lynch as Rhys and James Wilbraham as Mortimer.

The company also includes Lizzie Caitlin Bennett, Beau Bradfield, Harrison Claxton, Caitlin Drake, Mirain Fflur, Orla Hardie, Aisha-May Hunte, Corey Mitchell, Jamie Morgan, Luke Rhodri and Joseph Tweedale.

It is also being filmed during its run at the Donald Gordon Theatre at Wales Millennium Centre, before being released worldwide on the National Theatre at Home streaming platform. The capture will be made available from 1 March 2027.

The creative team includes associate director Hannah Noone, set designer Jon Bausor, associate set designer Matt Hellyer, lighting designer Aideen Malone, associate lighting designer Cara Hood, costume designer Elin Steele, composer and sound designer Dyfan Jones, video designer Jack Phelan, video design assistant Livi Wilmore, movement director Anthony Matesena, fight and intimacy director Ruth Cooper-Brown, assistant fight director Rebecca Wilson, casting director Hannah Marie Williams, voice director Nia Lynn and executive producer Kate Ferris.