Ian McDiarmid
Birth Place: Carnoustie, SCOTLAND
Latest News on Ian McDiarmid:
Sheffield Theatres Unveils 2026/27 Season Featuring World Premieres, Shakespeare and More (Feb 27, 2026)
From the West End to DOWNTON ABBEY: A Look at Penelope Wilton's Stage Career (Sep 12, 2025)
West End HAMILTON Star Jamael Westman Joins Cast of STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER (Aug 28, 2025)
Sheffield Theatres Unveils 2026/27 Season Featuring World Premieres, Shakespeare and More (Feb 27, 2026)
From the West End to DOWNTON ABBEY: A Look at Penelope Wilton's Stage Career (Sep 12, 2025)
West End HAMILTON Star Jamael Westman Joins Cast of STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER (Aug 28, 2025)
STAGE CREDITS
Movies
The Likely Lads
[ 1976 ] Vicar
[ 1976 ] Vicar
Richard's Things
[ 1980 ] Burglar
[ 1980 ] Burglar
The Awakening
[ 1980 ] Dr. Richter
[ 1980 ] Dr. Richter
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
[ 1980 ] Reg Smeeton
[ 1980 ] Reg Smeeton
Dragonslayer
[ 1981 ] Brother Jacopus
[ 1981 ] Brother Jacopus
Gorky Park
[ 1983 ] Professor Andreev
[ 1983 ] Professor Andreev
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
[ 1983 ] The Emperor
[ 1983 ] The Emperor
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
[ 1988 ] Arthur
[ 1988 ] Arthur
Restoration
[ 1995 ] Ambrose
[ 1995 ] Ambrose
Sleepy Hollow
[ 1999 ] Doctor Lancter
[ 1999 ] Doctor Lancter
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
[ 1999 ] Senator Palpatine
[ 1999 ] Senator Palpatine
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
[ 2002 ] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
[ 2002 ] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
[ 2005 ] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
[ 2005 ] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
The Lost City of Z
[ 2016 ] Sir George Goldie
[ 2016 ] Sir George Goldie
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
[ 2019 ] Emperor Palpatine
[ 2019 ] Emperor Palpatine
TV Shows
Britannia
King Pellenor
King Pellenor
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
[ 2023-2024 ] Emperor Palpatine
[ 2023-2024 ] Emperor Palpatine
Awards and Nominations
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Actor in a Play
Ian McDiarmid, Faith Healer
winner
Theatre World Awards - 2006 - Performance
Ian McDiarmid, Faith Dealer
winner
Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Ian McDiarmid, Faith Healer
winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1998 - Theatrical Achievement
Ian McDiarmid
Olivier Awards - 1983 - Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role
Ian McDiarmidTales From Hollywood
winner
Olivier Awards - 1982 - Actor of the Year in a New Play
Ian McDiarmidInsignificance
Videos
VIDEO: Listen to the Song Lin-Manuel Miranda Created for STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER!
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2020-01-22 12:31:02
VIDEO: Watch a Special Look at STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-11-29 10:07:11
VIDEO: Get a Special Look at STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-11-25 10:54:22
VIDEO: Watch the New Trailer for STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER!
by Sarah Leiber - 2019-10-21 22:03:43
TV: Ian McDiarmid in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's TIMON OF ATHENS - Show Highlights!
by Jessica Lewis - 2012-05-11 17:01:57
News
Sheffield Theatres Unveils 2026/27 Season Featuring World Premieres, Shakespeare and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
Sheffield Theatres has revealed details of the 2026/27 season. An ambitious season of classics alongside five world premieres will welcome audiences across the Sheffield Theatres stages.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026
Sheffield Theatres has revealed details of the 2026/27 season. An ambitious season of classics alongside five world premieres will welcome audiences across the Sheffield Theatres stages.
From the West End to DOWNTON ABBEY: A Look at Penelope Wilton's Stage Career
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 12, 2025
Since the early 1970s, Penelope Wilton has established herself as a major player on the British stage, and we are taking a look back at her expansive theatrical career, just in time for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 12, 2025
Since the early 1970s, Penelope Wilton has established herself as a major player on the British stage, and we are taking a look back at her expansive theatrical career, just in time for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
West End HAMILTON Star Jamael Westman Joins Cast of STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 28, 2025
Jamael Westman, who originated the title role in the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, has been cast in Star Wars: Starfighter. The new standalone story will be released theatrically on May 28, 2027.
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 28, 2025
Jamael Westman, who originated the title role in the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, has been cast in Star Wars: Starfighter. The new standalone story will be released theatrically on May 28, 2027.
STAR WARS On Stage: A Guide to Broadway Stars in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 11, 2025
With the highly anticipated second season of Andor arriving in a few short weeks, we have compiled a list of the most noteworthy Star Wars actors to have graced the Broadway stage over the years.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 11, 2025
With the highly anticipated second season of Andor arriving in a few short weeks, we have compiled a list of the most noteworthy Star Wars actors to have graced the Broadway stage over the years.
Full Cast and Creative Team Set For MY MASTER BUILDER Starring Ewan McGregor and More
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Debicki, Kate Fleetwood, David Ajala, and Mirren Mack join Ewan McGregor to complete the cast of My Master Builder - a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Debicki, Kate Fleetwood, David Ajala, and Mirren Mack join Ewan McGregor to complete the cast of My Master Builder - a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek.
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024
This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024
This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024
This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024
This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; BURLESQUE Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024
Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024
Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 10, 2024
Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 10, 2024
Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Nottingham Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic, and More Nominated For UK Theatre Awards 2024; Full List!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024
The nominees for this year's UK Theatre Awards have been announced. The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the very best of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check out the full list of nominees here!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024
The nominees for this year's UK Theatre Awards have been announced. The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the very best of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check out the full list of nominees here!
The T.S. Eliot Lecture 2024 Will Feature Ralph Fiennes
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024
The ninth annual T.S. Eliot Lecture on December 15th at 6pm will feature Ralph Fiennes reading and then discussing his relationship with T.S. Eliot’s poem Four Quartets, marking the 80th anniversary of its first publication as a single volume in 1944.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024
The ninth annual T.S. Eliot Lecture on December 15th at 6pm will feature Ralph Fiennes reading and then discussing his relationship with T.S. Eliot’s poem Four Quartets, marking the 80th anniversary of its first publication as a single volume in 1944.
Michael Grandage Will Direct Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans in the World Première of BACKSTAIRS BILLY
by Stephi Wild - Jul 5, 2023
The world première of Marcelo Dos Santos' new play Backstairs Billy looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 5, 2023
The world première of Marcelo Dos Santos' new play Backstairs Billy looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon.
Full Cast Announced For ORLANDO at the Garrick Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2022
The full company has been announced for Orlando – joining Emma Corrin, in the title role, are Deborah Findlay (Mrs Grimsditch), Jessica Alade (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Debra Baker (Virginia, Favilla, The Captain), Akuc Bol (Virginia, Euphrosyne, Prue), Lucy Briers (Virginia, Queen Elizabeth, Officer), Richard Cant (Virginia, Harriet, Kitty), Melissa Lowe (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Jodie McNee (Virginia, Marmaduke), Oliver Wickham (Virginia, Clorinda), and Millicent Wong (Virginia, Sasha, Nell).
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2022
The full company has been announced for Orlando – joining Emma Corrin, in the title role, are Deborah Findlay (Mrs Grimsditch), Jessica Alade (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Debra Baker (Virginia, Favilla, The Captain), Akuc Bol (Virginia, Euphrosyne, Prue), Lucy Briers (Virginia, Queen Elizabeth, Officer), Richard Cant (Virginia, Harriet, Kitty), Melissa Lowe (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Jodie McNee (Virginia, Marmaduke), Oliver Wickham (Virginia, Clorinda), and Millicent Wong (Virginia, Sasha, Nell).
Dates and Venue Announced for ORLANDO Starring Emma Corrin
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Aug 19, 2022
The Michael Grandage Company announced that their production of Orlando opens at the Garrick Theatre on 5 December 2022, with previews from 25 November, and runs until 25 February 2023.
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Aug 19, 2022
The Michael Grandage Company announced that their production of Orlando opens at the Garrick Theatre on 5 December 2022, with previews from 25 November, and runs until 25 February 2023.
Michael Grandage Will Direct Emma Corrin in Neil Bartlett's New Version of Virginia Woolf's Novel ORLANDO
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2022
The Michael Grandage Company has announced that Emma Corrin will return to the London stage as the title role in Orlando, from the novel by Virginia Woolf in a new version by Neil Bartlett. Michael Grandage directs, reuniting him with Corrin, following their recent collaboration on the feature film My Policeman for Amazon.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2022
The Michael Grandage Company has announced that Emma Corrin will return to the London stage as the title role in Orlando, from the novel by Virginia Woolf in a new version by Neil Bartlett. Michael Grandage directs, reuniting him with Corrin, following their recent collaboration on the feature film My Policeman for Amazon.
BWW Exclusive: A History of ANNIE on Broadway and Beyond
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 2, 2021
Tonight, NBC will air its sixth live musical production. Following in the footsteps of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the peacock network will be presenting Annie. Based on Harold Gray's comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie, this musical tells the story of a little orphan with equal measures of pluck and positivity who charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in New York City in the year 1933.
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 2, 2021
Tonight, NBC will air its sixth live musical production. Following in the footsteps of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the peacock network will be presenting Annie. Based on Harold Gray's comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie, this musical tells the story of a little orphan with equal measures of pluck and positivity who charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in New York City in the year 1933.
Belinda Lang to Direct THE CHILDREN at Salisbury Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 30, 2021
With the UK tour of the world première of Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table starring Ian McDiarmid and directed by Michael Grandage recently finished, Wiltshire Creative today announced that Belinda Lang will direct a new production of Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children at Salisbury Playhouse in April 2022.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 30, 2021
With the UK tour of the world première of Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table starring Ian McDiarmid and directed by Michael Grandage recently finished, Wiltshire Creative today announced that Belinda Lang will direct a new production of Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children at Salisbury Playhouse in April 2022.
Guest Blog: Madeleine Worrall on THE TEMPEST on BBC Radio 3
by Guest Author - Nov 5, 2021
I don’t know why I’m starting this article with an admission that I had never really been ‘that into Shakespeare’. It is the sort of casual assertion which leaves a ghostly trail of incredulous disappointment upon the face of the poor actor you have annointed your confessor - they will never really respect you again.
by Guest Author - Nov 5, 2021
I don’t know why I’m starting this article with an admission that I had never really been ‘that into Shakespeare’. It is the sort of casual assertion which leaves a ghostly trail of incredulous disappointment upon the face of the poor actor you have annointed your confessor - they will never really respect you again.
BWW Review: THE LEMON TABLE, Salisbury Playhouse
by Cheryl Markosky - Oct 23, 2021
When Booker Prize-winner Julian Barnes saw The Lemon Table early in its world premiere run, he gave his seal of approval to the adaptation of his short stories. A fine accolade for adaptor and star Ian McDiarmid, best known for his role as Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars films, Olivier and Tony award-winning performances, and 12 years as the Almeida Theatre’s artistic director.
by Cheryl Markosky - Oct 23, 2021
When Booker Prize-winner Julian Barnes saw The Lemon Table early in its world premiere run, he gave his seal of approval to the adaptation of his short stories. A fine accolade for adaptor and star Ian McDiarmid, best known for his role as Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars films, Olivier and Tony award-winning performances, and 12 years as the Almeida Theatre’s artistic director.
Wiltshire Creative Announces Spring 2022 At Salisbury Playhouse And Salisbury Arts Centre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 14, 2021
Following the re-opening of Salisbury Playhouse with John Godber's September in the Rain, and Ian McDiarmid and Michael Grandage in rehearsals for the world première of Julian Barnes' The Lemon Table, Artistic Director Gareth Machin and Executive Director Sebastian Warrack today announce the Spring 2022 season at Wiltshire Creative.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 14, 2021
Following the re-opening of Salisbury Playhouse with John Godber's September in the Rain, and Ian McDiarmid and Michael Grandage in rehearsals for the world première of Julian Barnes' The Lemon Table, Artistic Director Gareth Machin and Executive Director Sebastian Warrack today announce the Spring 2022 season at Wiltshire Creative.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Ian McDiarmid been in?
Ian McDiarmid has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
How many West End shows has Ian McDiarmid been in?
Ian McDiarmid has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
What was Ian McDiarmid's first West End show?
Ian McDiarmid's first West End show was Bakersfield Mist which opened in 2014
What awards has Ian McDiarmid been nominated for?
Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Faith Healer , Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Faith Dealer, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Faith Healer, Theatrical Achievement (Evening Standard Awards), Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Tales From Hollywood and Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Insignificance.
What awards has Ian McDiarmid won?
Ian McDiarmid has won several prestigious awards, including the Theatre World Award for Performance in Faith Dealer, the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for Faith Healer, the Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Achievement, and the Olivier Award for Actor of the Year in a New Play for Insignificance.
Videos