Rising actor Stuart Thompson talks his early acting education and the intricacies of his role in Chekhov’s Three Sisters at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Premiering the work of Russian playwright and novelist Anton Chekhov at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for the first time, the current production of Three Sisters bridges the gap between two of most compelling literary artists in history. Caroline Steinbeis returns to the infamous indoor arena within Shakespeare’s Globe to direct the classic play, with Michelle Terry (Shakespeare’s Globe Artistic Director), Shannon Tarbet (Killing Eve), and Ruby Thompson (Aftersun) cast as the trio of sisters.
Stuart Thompson makes an impression as Andrei, the brother of the sisters, who “is the intellectual of the family,” the young actor explains. “He’s expected to go on to great things, but life gets somewhat in the way.” Thompson is quickly amounting a reputation on the stage and in the TV world alike, with onscreen credits including BBC’s SAS: Rogue Heroes and Netflix’s The Witcher. Below, he tells Wonderland about his acting origins, TV endeavours, and role in the acclaimed new adaptation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters.
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Hi Stuart! How are you? How has your year been to date?
I’m very well, thanks. It’s been lush! Beginning 2025 in the throes of a Chekhov play in such wonderful company feels as though we’re starting as we mean to go on!
Talk us through your early acting memories. How did you discover your love and talent for the craft?
When I was very little, I started in ballet initially, and dancing really fostered my love for character and expression. That relationship with an audience it’s unlike anything else.
The more I did and saw, the bigger my curiosity grew. My first ever role was Michael in Peter Pan, and I remember there was a moment where we were supposed to be hidden in the pirate ship and I accidentally jumped out too early. Rather than being terrified, I found it exhilarating to try and find my way out of it!
How did you first make your break into acting?
I first started to focus on acting when I got a scholarship to go to ArtsEd Sixth Form. As their Drama scholar, I was exposed to texts and methodologies that were brand new territory for me. Professionally, my first break into acting was playing Geof in A Taste of Honey. I did it for six months, and to have the opportunity to mine such a seminal text and be allowed such a stretch of time with a character taught me a lot.
You’re starring as Anthony Greville-Bell in the second season of SAS: Rogue Heroes—how did you first become attached to the show? What drew you to it?I love him! The show had such an explosive first series and there was, and is, something so genius in how the show melds accuracy with anarchy.
It was such a delight for it to be my first real experience of being on set and figuring out that process as an actor, surrounded by such a brilliant ensemble. There’s something so exciting in the learning and then execution of bringing the men’s real experiences to life and being the age at which it all happened to them.
Talk us through your role in the show—how did you prepare for the part? What does your character represent in the wider arc?
Greville-Bell actually initially trained as an actor at RADA before being conscripted – so I felt an immediate connection! He is part of the new swathe of recruits within the SAS, and I guess he represents a bit of a sea change within the initial squadron. He has to prove his mettle to the lads. An exciting part of my initial prep was getting military training!
Congratulations on your role in Three Sisters! How did you first find out about the part, and why did you feel it was a good fit for you?
Thank you! I’d like to work my way through Chekhov’s canon, to be honest. I feel the humanity of his writing is a constant well of inspiration. Everything that Andrei worries about, deals with, or dreams of, resonates with me and with a part of all of us in some corner of our life. Every character in the play feels like that for me. I’m always looking to glean as much as I can from the project I’m working on, and I knew I’d learn a lot from this.
You star alongside the likes of Shannon Tarbet and Ruby Thompson—how did you find working with the cast? What did you learn through the process?
The company is amazing. It feels like we’re all very much on the same page. The diligence and intuition that everyone brought to their individual stories, informed the whole, and helped to collectively build our family, the home, and the world around us.
Who is your character within the context of the play?
Andrei is the brother of the three sisters. He is the intellectual of the family, expected to go on to great things, but life gets somewhat in the way.
How does the rest of 2025 look for you?
Very good! Touch wood! After this, I’m heading up a new play called Radiant Boy by Nancy Netherwood at Southwark Playhouse. There are also a couple of projects in the pipeline that I’m not allowed to talk about just yet too!
What are your long-term ambitions?
I aim to always keep one foot in theatre throughout my career, but long term, I’d love to explore film. I feel as a storytelling medium, it has such a particular power. I’d like to follow in the footsteps of the greats! Meryl, Maggie, the list goes on!
For more details on the Three Sisters production, visit here.
