Under the Shadow film to be adapted for the stage – with lead casting revealed

A stage version of Under the Shadow is set to open at the Almeida Theatre next summer as part of Rupert Goold’s final season.

The production is an adaptation of Babak Anvari’s 2016 BAFTA-winning film, reimagined for the stage by playwright Carmen Nasr and directed by Nadia Latif.

Taking place during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the play follows Shideh, a mother left behind in Tehran with her young daughter after her husband is sent to the frontline. A missile brings with it a supernatural presence, raising questions about grief, belief, and the blurred lines between the seen and the unseen.

Leila Farzad takes on the central role of Shideh. The production marks a collaboration between Nasr, known for The Maladies and The Climbers, and Latif, whose previous credits include Fairview and Marys Seacole.

The show runs from from Tuesday 2 June to Saturday 4 July 2026, with tickets on sale next year.

See more about the Almeida’s new season here.