Former EastEnders favourite to play Hannibal Lecter in an all-new UK tour

Former EastEnders star John Partridge is set to star as Dr Hannibal Lecter, one of the most famous fictional serial killers, in a stage adaptation of Silence of the Lambs.

The play, which has been adapted by Gina Gionfriddo from Thomas Harris's book of the same name, will open at Curve Theatre, Leicester, where it will run from 1 to 15 August 2026 before touring across the UK and Ireland.

The official synopsis for the production reads: "When FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview the psychiatrist and infamous murderer Hannibal Lecter, it’s hoped his brilliant mind will help catch the sadistic new serial killer, Buffalo Bill.

"Another girl is missing, and time is running out. But Dr Lecter has questions of his own, and now Clarice must decide: keep a safe distance, or let Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ into her head?"

Partridge is best known for appearing as Christian Clarke in EastEnders, as well as his stage roles, which include The Rum Tum Tugger in Cats the musical and Hugo Battersby in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The actor's casting as Dr Hannibal Lecter will see him follow in the footsteps of Anthony Hopkins, who played the character in the 2001 film of the same name, and Mads Mikkelsen, who appeared in the leading role in the hit TV series Hannibal.

Partridge said of his casting in a statement: "How often does an actor get to play a role that by simply saying the character’s name, it takes your breath away. It’s a huge honour, and I intend to savour every morsel of it!’’

Curve's artistic director, Nikolai Foster, who's serving as director, added: “Taking on a role like Hannibal Lecter requires real guts, tenacity and an appetite to confront the darkest depths of the human condition.

"Working with John on the role has been incredibly inspiring - his instincts are razor sharp - and there is no finer actor to bring to life Thomas Harris’s most chilling creation in our world premiere stage adaptation.”

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