Described by The Independent as ‘the greatest stage actor of his generation’, Simon Russell Beale is mainly known for his theatre roles, including the title roles in King Lear at the National Theatre in 2014 and Uncle Vanya at the Donmar in 2002. During a career spanning over 25 years he has garnered many awards, including two Olivier Awards and two BAFTA Awards. He makes his Hampstead Theatre debut playing Georgian actor and comedian Samuel Foote in Ian Kelly’s new play Mr Foote’s Other Leg, directed by Richard Eyre. Here’s a selection of some of his career highlights so far.

As Charles Musgrove in Persuasion (1995)

As Guildenstern (with Adrian Scarborough) in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (National Theatre, 1996)

As Iago in Othello (National Theatre, 1997-8)

As Hamlet in Hamlet (National Theatre, 2000)

As Uncle Vanya (with Helen McCrory) in Uncle Vanya (Donmar, 2002)

As Sir William Collyer (with Rachel Weisz) in The Deep Blue Sea (2011)

As Joseph Stalin (with Alex Jennings) in Collaborators (National Theatre, 2011)

As Falstaff (with Julie Walters and Maxine Peake) in The Hollow Crown (2012)

As Captain Terri Dennis in Privates on Parade (West End, 2012-13)

As Roote (with John Simm) in The Hothouse (West End, 2013)

As King Lear (with Anna Maxwell Martin) in King Lear (National Theatre, 2014)

As Ferdinand Lyle (with Timothy Dalton) in Penny Dreadful (2014-16)

As Dean (with Rebecca Humphries) in Temple (Donmar, 2015)