WATCH: Fans swoon over sultry first look at Playboy of the Western World revival
The beloved play returns in a bold new production from Abbey Theatre Artistic Director Catriona McLaughlin and boasts a star studded Irish cast.
The preview, a co-production between Dublin's Abbey Theatre and London's National Theatre, has set social media alight with whispers of its daring tone and electrifying cast. Audiences are already in a frenzy after a sultry first glimpse of The Playboy of the Western World hit our screens.
Nicola Coughlan brings fire to the role of Margaret Flaherty, opposite Siobhán McSweeney's sharp-witted Widow Quin, while Éanna Hardwicke takes centre stage as the enigmatic Christopher Mahon.
Joining them are Megan Cusack as Susan Brady, Lorcan Cranitch as Michael James Flaherty, and Marty Rea as the pious Shawn Keogh—together promising a revival that's as seductive as it is subversive.
In a brief clip shared to TikTok, former Derry Girls Nicola and Siobhán can be seen trapped behind glass as they fawn over a knitwear clad Hardwicke among other admirers.
Nicola briefly breaks free and perches herself next to the Cork native as she stares at him longingly, before directing her attention back to the audience.
Fans were quick to take to the comments to show the sultry promo some love.
'Sweet suffering Jesus,' one user shared. Nicola Coughlan brings fire to the role of Margaret Flaherty, opposite Siobhán McSweeney's sharp-witted Widow Quin, while Éanna Hardwicke takes centre stage as the enigmatic Christopher Mahon. Pic:'I would die if @nicolacoughlan looked at me like that,' another penned.
'So excited to watch Siobhán and Nic together again, they are absolute magic! The chemistry already with Éanna is soooo good!' a third lauded.
For those unfamiliar with the story, it depicts how Pegeen Flaherty's life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he's killed his father.
Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene.
Playboy of the Western World takes to the London stage from Thursday, December 4, 2025 until Saturday February 28, 2026.
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