Charlie Cox leads Elvis corpse heist play The King’s Ransom
Charlie Cox joins Blake Harrison and Cherrelle Skeete in The King’s Ransom, an Elvis corpse heist comedy opening at London’s Donmar Warehouse this December.
Charlie Cox will lead a decidedly unusual criminal operation on the London stage this winter, starring in a new play about a plot to steal Elvis Presley’s corpse. The Daredevil actor heads the cast of The King’s Ransom, with Blake Harrison and Cherrelle Skeete joining him for its world premiere at the Donmar Warehouse.
The full company was announced on 2 October for the dark comedy, written by Stuart Slade and directed by Matthew Dunster. Previews begin on 5 December 2026, ahead of the official opening on 16 December, with performances continuing until 6 February 2027.
Set in Memphis in 1977, the story follows small-time criminal Vince Black, played by Cox, who is offered an extraordinary opportunity by a mysterious criminal mastermind. He brings together a group of misfits for a scheme involving the remains of one of the most famous performers in the world.
Their plan involves stealing Elvis’s body, hiding it in a chest freezer and demanding a million-dollar ransom. Inspired by a real American crime story, the play combines its outlandish heist with themes of grief, redemption and the pursuit of the American Dream.
For Cox, the production marks a return to the Donmar, where he previously appeared in The Prince of Homburg. His stage credits also include Betrayal in the West End and on Broadway, alongside a screen career spanning Daredevil, Kin, Boardwalk Empire and Stardust.
Harrison, familiar to television audiences from The Inbetweeners, will play Rusty. His previous theatre work includes Waitress in the West End, while Skeete joins the new production as Mike.
The ensemble also includes Tom Fletcher as Charlie, Matthew Flynn as Mr Bluefield and Leo Patrick as Jessie Lee. Jenny Rainsford takes the roles of Rhonda and Jenny, Christopher Short plays Elvis, and Ronnie Yorke appears as Red.
Ruby Barker, Eira Kay and Trixie Willis will share the role of Martha. Together, the company brings Slade’s new play to the Covent Garden venue for a run spanning December, January and early February.
