Currently, Mark Hadfield is starring as Hercule Poirot in the UK & Ireland Tour of Ken Ludwig’s Death on the Nile, which is adapted from Agatha Christie’s novel, where Mark is working alongside Glynis Barber as Salome Otterbourne and Bob Barrett as Colonel Race, and Death on the Nile is open at Princess Theatre in Torquay, before continuing around the UK including dates at Chichester Festival Theatre, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Norwich Theatre Royal, with the final dates in May 2026 at Theatre Royal in Plymouth. Earlier this year, Mark played Faceman in Dr. Strangelove, with Steve Coogan also in the cast, for the world premiere production at the Noël Coward Theatre, which was also broadcast to cinemas for National Theatre Live, and he previously played Inspector Burton in the West End transfer of Accidental Death of An Anarchist at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Across the years, Mark has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company a number of times, most recently in Cymbeline as Pisanio, and in 2017/18, he was in the world premiere of Pinocchio at the National Theatre as Geppetto. Amongst Mark’s extensive stage roles so far, he played Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the original West End cast of Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, Timon in Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, and he was in the cast of Mrs Henderson Presents and Guys and Dolls. Also working on screen, Mark has appeared in projects such as Outlander and Belfast, with the latter being written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Mark answers our questions about his starring role of Hercule Poirot in the UK & Ireland Tour of Ken Ludwig’s Death on the Nile, playing Faceman earlier this year in Dr. Strangelove and performing as Timon in Disney’s The Lion King.
How does it feel to be taking on the starring role of Hercule Poirot in the UK & Ireland Tour of Death on the Nile and how have you prepared for the show?
It is an honour and pleasure to be playing the iconic Hercule Poirot. He is a fascinating character. To prepare, I’ve done quite a bit of research including reading some of the novels he appears in.
How familiar were you with the Death on the Nile story before booking the role, and how was it reading Ken Ludwig’s script for the first time?
I first saw the 1978 film of Death on the Nile, starring Peter Ustinov as Poirot. Since accepting the role, I have read the novel a couple of times to really acquaint myself with the story and characters. It was very exciting reading this new adaptation by Ken Ludwig for the first time.
What can audiences expect from this new adaptation and can you tell us about Death on the Nile (without giving spoilers)?
The audience can expect an exciting and enthralling murder mystery with some surprises. It is a story about misplaced love, jealousy and revenge and contains a moral for all of us.
How is it being part of a major Agatha Christie adaptation and bringing the well-known character to the stage?
It is wonderful and exciting to be presenting a new adaptation of a well-known and loved story. Playing Poirot is a challenge, and I’m sure people have certain expectations. I hope to fulfil them and bring my own personality to him.
What is it like getting into character as Hercule Poirot and what is he like to play?
It is fun preparing for Poirot. He is an enigmatic character full of mystery, empathy and fun. I try to find similarities with him which I can use to bring him to life. He is a joy to create.
How has it been meeting the rest of the cast, which includes Glynis Barber as Salome Otterbourne and Bob Barrett as Colonel Race, and how was it rehearsing for the show?
The cast are amazing, and it is lovely working with Glynis and Bob. Rehearsals went very well, and the company is bonding together wonderfully.
What are you looking forward to for touring with the production until May 2026?
Mostly showing this great new adaptation and production to audiences around the UK and Ireland.
Earlier this year, you finished your run as Faceman in the world premiere of Dr. Strangelove at the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End (starring Steve Coogan), was there anything that drew you to the production and what was the show like to perform in?
I was drawn to it because I love the 1967 Stanley Kubrick film starring Peter Sellars. I had worked with Steve Coogan several years before, so the chance to work with him again was irresistible. The show was terrific to perform and it was lovely that audiences enjoyed it so much.
How was it originating the role of Faceman in London and having the show broadcast to cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live?
I loved the show and thought Faceman was a very interesting character. He had humour and a sense of fear about the possible outcome of a nuclear attack.
Can you tell us about your time playing Inspector Burton in the West End transfer of Accidental Death of An Anarchist at Theatre Royal Haymarket?
Again, a very interesting subject about which much is not understood. I loved the satirical aspect of the play and Burton was fun, as he was a victim of the situation. The play had a wonderful black comedy to it, which meant that the audience enjoyed both a political drama and a satirical comedy.
You have performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company many times, most recently in Cymbeline as Pisanio, what are some of your favourite memories from working with the company over the years?
I always love working with the RSC as I love Shakespeare, but also the diverse programming they achieve. Memories are many, but just arriving at Stratford for the first time is a very poignant one.
How did you find the experience performing as Geppetto in the world premiere of Pinocchio at the National Theatre in 2017/18?
Pinocchio was a great experience. Having to portray a character like Geppetto through administering an eight-foot puppet was a terrific challenge. The play was full of colour and wonderful puppetry work which really brought to life the Disney film on stage.
As part of the original West End cast of Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, you played Prime Minister Harold Wilson, what did you enjoy most about originating the character on stage?
This production is one of my favourites. Playing Harold Wilson was a joy. We made him a comical character and it was great to play around with a comedy within the strong and relevant story. Again, audiences were able to enjoy a historical political story laced with wonderful music and lyrics and strong moments of comedy.
What was it like performing at the Lyceum Theatre in the Disney musical The Lion King and playing the well-loved character Timon?
Timon is, as you say, a much-loved character. Bringing him to life, again through puppetry, was both challenging but immensely rewarding. It was fun bringing out his cheeky humour and his rapport with Pumbaa. The Lion King is a glorious show with vivid costumes, wonderful music and a story that has kept audiences enthralled for many years.
Your extensive theatre career so far also includes Sydney & The Old Girl as Sydney Stock and The Weatherman as Beezer at the Park Theatre, Richard III as Ratcliffe Lord Mayor at the Almeida Theatre, Mrs Henderson Presents as Arthur in the West End and Guys and Dolls as Benny Southstreet, can you say about some of your favourite career highlights?
I’m lucky to have had such an extensive career including many productions, both classical and modern. The productions and characters that you mention are all very dear to me, and I like the diversity of the many characters I’ve played. I have many career highlights, perhaps too many to mention, and I look forward to many more in the future.
On screen, you’ve been seen in films and series such as Belfast, Outlander and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, what were these projects like to film?
Belfast was particularly interesting, as it was written and filmed between lockdowns. This meant that there was an enormous pressure to get this wonderful story filmed in such a situation, a feat that was handled majestically by the writer and director Kenneth Branagh, and his wonderful production team. Filming Outlander was, similarly, a great experience, as it meant filming both in Scotland and South Africa. I have many fond memories again, a brilliant piece of storytelling.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you originally get started in the industry?
I have always loved acting from an early age, I participated in many school drama productions and amateur dramatics. From an early age, I was inspired by Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy films, but I was fortunate enough at school to have a drama teacher and an English teacher who inspired me to pursue my interest, especially in Shakespeare, by encouraging us to act out the plays in class rather than just reading them. Eventually, I managed to convince my parents that I wanted to go to drama school rather than university and those years at RADA were the most informative and productive. Later, I started my career in productions in regional theatres all over the country where my training as an actor was improved immensely by watching experienced actors working at their best.
What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
I have many favourite films, the one in particular that I will always watch is The Shawshank Redemption. I’m also a sucker for a good black-and-white film. Recently, my favourite TV shows have been Succession, Schitt’s Creek and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy drawing and painting, theatre, reading and long walks. Nature is life’s greatest source of inspiration.