Lesley Manville Wins Tony Award for Broadway Debut in Revival of Oedipus

Lesley Manville has won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the 79th Annual Tony Awards for her Broadway debut as Jocasta in a contemporary revival of Oedipus. The 70-year-old British actress, known for roles in The Crown and Phantom Thread, achieved the win despite flying to New York just hours after closing another West End production.

The Award and Recognition

Manville accepted her first-ever Tony Award at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, following a performance in the limited Broadway engagement that ran from November 13, 2025, through February 8, 2026, at Studio 54. The production, directed by Robert Icke and transferred from London's West End, received seven Tony nominations total, including Best Revival of a Play. Other nominees in her category included Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Susannah Flood, and Kelli O'Hara.

The actress had previously won an Olivier Award for the same role during the play's London run. In her acceptance speech, Manville highlighted director Icke's vision in adapting the ancient Greek drama for modern audiences. She noted the production's striking relevance, observing that despite 2,500 years of history, progress for women has remained remarkably limited.

A Remarkable Night

Manville's achievement carries additional significance given the circumstances surrounding the awards ceremony. She disclosed to reporters on the red carpet that she had performed in Christopher Hampton's Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Lyttelton Theatre in London the previous evening, closing that production on June 6. She flew to New York early on June 7, arriving just hours before the ceremony commenced. "I flew this morning. It's 11 at night [in London], and I've been up since 4," she explained, describing her exhaustion while radiating enthusiasm about her first Broadway experience.

The Oedipus revival starred Mark Strong in the title role, who also received a Tony nomination for his performance. The production reunited the London creative team, featuring scenic design by Hildegard Bechtler, costume design by Wojciech Dziedzic, and lighting design by Natasha Chivers. Manville expressed surprise and gratification at making her Broadway debut in such a prominent production. "I thought, 'Well maybe I won't ever play Broadway,' and then you suddenly get the chance," she said.