Award-winning actor Peter Ash is set to return to the stage next month in the world premiere of Picture You Dead, the latest gripping adaptation of Peter James’ bestselling DSI Roy Grace series. The production runs at The Lowry, Salford, from Wednesday 16th to Saturday 19th April 2025, promising audiences an electrifying mix of mystery, deception, and murder.
This new stage thriller marks the seventh of James’ novels to be adapted for theatre, bringing the world of fine art forgery to life in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. When an unsuspecting couple stumble upon a potentially priceless masterpiece, their dream find quickly spirals into a nightmare. With danger lurking beneath the respectable world of fine art, only DSI Grace can prevent them from paying the ultimate price.
A Star-Studded Cast
Leading the cast is National Television Award winner Peter Ash, best known for his moving performance as Paul Foreman in Coronation Street. Following his emotional exit from the soap in September 2024, Ash takes on the role of David Hegarty, marking his much-anticipated return to the stage. No stranger to theatre, he previously starred in War Horse at The Lowry in 2014 and appeared in Footballers’ Wives.
Joining him is Fiona Wade, a familiar face from Emmerdale, who recently took to the stage in 2:22 A Ghost Story and is set to appear in Fox’s upcoming comedy series Going Dutch.
West End star Jodie Steele (Bonnie & Clyde, Wicked, Heathers, SIX) will portray Roberta Kilgore, while Casualty and Call the Midwife actor George Rainsford reprises his role as DSI Roy Grace. Rainsford last played the iconic detective in 2023’s stage adaptation of Wish You Were Dead and is set to bring his commanding presence back to the role.
A Thrilling New Adaptation
Picture You Dead is adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna, the award-winning writer behind all previous Peter James stage adaptations. The production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, who also helmed Wish You Were Dead (2023) and Looking Good Dead (2021-22).
The novel was inspired by James’ meeting with real-life art forger David Henty, now an acclaimed copyist. Speaking about the upcoming production, Peter James shared his excitement:
“It is truly incredible to see the seventh stage adaptation of my books coming to theatres in 2025. I am so grateful to the hundreds of thousands of people who have enjoyed these plays over the last 10 years, and I truly believe this is the best one yet! We have an absolutely fantastic cast, and it’s going to be a thrilling night at the theatre.”
The Phenomenon of DSI Roy Grace
Peter James’ Roy Grace series is one of the most successful modern-day crime franchises, with over 23 million copies sold worldwide. The books have spawned six previous stage adaptations, a smash-hit ITV drama (GRACE), and widespread critical acclaim. Even Her Majesty Queen Camilla recently declared Roy Grace her favourite literary detective!
With GRACE season five currently in production and Picture You Dead set to embark on a nationwide tour, James’ gripping crime stories continue to captivate audiences on both page and stage.
Don’t miss the chance to witness the world premiere of Picture You Dead at The Lowry this April!
🎟 Tickets available now at: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/191//peter-james-picture-you-dead
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