DOWNTON ABBEY's Joanne Froggatt to Star in RABBIT HOLE in the West End, Fall 2014; Nigel Harmen to Direct!

According to the Daily Mail, Joanne Froggatt, known for her role as DOWNTON ABBEY maid 'Anna', will star as 'Becca' in RABBIT HOLE in the West End, under the direction of fellow DOWNTON actor Nigel Harmen. David Lindsay-Abaire's play will begin previews at the Vaudeville Theatre on September 11.

"It's a part I've been waiting forever to play. I totally fell in love with the play the moment I read it," Froggatt told the Mail. "It's heartbreaking but really funny in parts as well. Becca's very different from Anna. She's American, and she's middle class, and she's going through this traumatic time over her child."

Read the original report here.

RABBIT HOLE, which won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, centers on a woman (Becca) who is attempting to cope with the loss of her young son. Cynthia Nixon originated the role on Broadway and won a 2006 Tony Award for her performance, with Nicole Kidman starring in the 2010 film version.

Before Downton, Froggatt appeared in the TV series Robin Hood, Spooks, Life on Mars, Island at War, Paradise Heights, Coronation Street and more. She last starred on the big screen in Filth and Still Life.

Harmen is well known for his role in the TV series EastEnders but has mostly focused on his stage work, including appearances in Michael Grandage's revival of Guys and Dolls in 2005, and as 'Lord Farquaad' in the West End production of Shrek the Musical, for which he received an Olivier Award in 2012. He last starred onstage as Simon Cowell in the new show I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium this year.