Nathaniel Parker to Advise Helen Mirren in the West End's The Audience

Broadway alum Nathaniel Parker will take on the role of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, alongside previously announced star Helen Mirren, in the West End production of The Audience, according to U.K.’s Daily Mail. Directed by Stephen Daldry, the new Peter Morgan drama is scheduled to begin performances February 15, 2013 at the Gielgud Theatre. Opening night is set for March 5, and the production will play a limited engagement through June 15.

Spanning 60 years, The Audience tells the story of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (Mirren). Every week, the Queen sits down England’s Prime Minister for a private meeting at Buckingham Palace. The Audience is an inside look at these secretive meetings. The play will also star Hadyn Gwynne as Margaret Thatcher, Robert Hardy as Winston Churchill and Paul Ritter as John Major.

Parker appeared on Broadway in The Merchant of Venice after starring in the London production. Known as Thomas Lynley on BBC’s The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Parker’s additional film and TV credits include Stardust, The Haunted Mansion, The Bodyguard, Beverly Hills Ninja, Merlin, Injustice, The Proxy and Me and Mrs. Jones.