George Orwell’s 1984 gave the world so many indispensable concepts that you’d be forgiven for forgetting the unforgettable characters who brought those ideas to life. It’s a shame, because it’s the characters who give Orwell’s timeless story so much of its drama and tension; their hopes and despairs, their determination and helplessness, their all-too-human weaknesses and self-delusions.
Audible’s new dramatization features the kind of acting talent that will sear the characters into your memory. Starring Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, and Tom Hardy, the film is a perfect example of Audible’s ability to assemble formidable casts. From Hollywood stars to fast-rising talents, let’s take a look at just some of the names who have come together to make one of the defining novels of our time even more important.
Andrew Garfield as Winston Smith
Think of Andrew Garfield and the first thing that might come to mind is Spider-Man. The Surrey-raised star first rose to fame in 2010’s The Social Network and more recently showcased his many talents with his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of American composer and playwright Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick… Boom!
As Winston Smith, the protagonist of 1984, Garfield brings his trademark nervous energy to the role, bringing out the humor in the book as well as the sheer terror of Winston’s story. Garfield’s performance also reflects some of the interesting contradictions that Orwell gives to Winston, such as his guilt, arrogance, anger, and how these clash with his idealism and belief in the sanctity of righteousness.
Cynthia Erivo as Julia
If you’re into musicals, you’ll be no stranger to the talents of Grammy and Tony award-winning actor and singer Cynthia Erivo. Her eponymous theater credits include The Color Purple and Sister Act, while in film she starred in Harriet, an autobiographical film about abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman.
The Londoner will next star alongside Ariana Grande in the big screen adaptation of Wicked.
It is the strong and passionate voice of Julia, the woman who takes Winston on his journey of rebellion in 1984. Erivo captures Julia’s wisdom and sense of realism, often disarming you with her ability to see and express things so clearly. His steadying voice and presence are used to incredibly surreal effect during some of the story’s most dramatic moments; as if his words of wisdom and pleas for sanity were invading Winston’s own thoughts.
Andrew Scott as O’Brien
Thanks to his role in the second series of Fleabag, Andrew Scott will forever be known as the Hot Priest after breaking out as Richard Moriaty in Sherlock. The Irish star has been winning praise on the Hollywood scene for her performance in All of Us Strangers. He is also known for his theater work, including the highly praised Hamlet, his Olivier award-winning performance in Noel Coward’s The Present Laughter, and most recently playing all the roles in Vanya, an adaptation of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Scott’s penchant for conveying moral ambiguity makes him a perfect fit for the role of 1984’s mysterious and chillingly seductive Party official O’Brien. Although he exudes menace throughout Audible’s adaptation, Scott’s performance in the infamous torture scene from 1984 is truly frightening. The actor truly vacillates between icy sinister and borderline insane.
Tom Hardy as Big Brother
Whether he’s playing a post-apocalyptic anti-hero in Mad Max: Fury Road, larger-than-life comic book characters in Venom and The Dark Knight Rises, or the romantic lead in This Means War, Tom Hardy commands attention no matter what role he’s in. he undertakes. On the small screen, he played gangster Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders.
As the voice of Big Brother in 1984, Hardy is both commanding and soothing; He succeeds in giving Big Brother’s public statements an air of hopeless grandiloquence.
Romesh Ranganathan as Tom Parsons
He may be best known for his stand-up comedy, so there’s a (correct) assumption that Ranganathan brings some humor to his role as Winston’s colleague Parsons.
When the comedian isn’t giving up one-liners as the host of League of Their Own and The Weakest Link, he also finds time to perform in star-studded musicals. In 2021, the father of three played Romesh the Mouse alongside Camila Cabero, Minnie Driver and Pierce Brosnan in the singing, dancing version of Cinderella.
In his role as Parsons, he delivers some of the novel’s most laugh-out-loud humor, but then begins to breathtakingly convey the despair of a man realizing the horror of the dystopia he has fallen into.
Natasia Demetriou as Mrs. Parsons
We don’t hear from Mrs. Parsons very often, but Natasha Demetriou’s portrayal of the hapless mother terrorized by her own children is utterly superb.
Demetriou will be known for her role as a vampire in the FX comedy-horror mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. Demetriou also starred in Channel 4’s Stath Lets Flats. The comedian, actor and screenwriter most recently brought his special sense of humor to the BBC with his sketch show Ellie & Natasia.
Orwell’s novel conveys the horror of a world in which parents have come to fear their own children; Demetriou’s take on Mrs. Parsons captures this with chilling effect.
Katie Leung as Ling
Harry Potter fans will recognize Leung as Cho Chang, who gave the boy wizard his first kiss in the film series. But the Scottish-born star also played the daughter of martial arts superstar Jackie Chan in The Stranger.
On TV, her real-life pregnancy was covered in the second series of crime drama Annika, which premiered last year.
She plays Ling, a woman who works at the ministry with Winston in 1984 and continues her job despite her husband being vaporized.
Chukwudi Iwuji as Charrington
Nigerian-British actor Chukwudi Iwuji recently made his mark as Marvel’s villain in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, portraying the highly mad scientist The High Evolutionary.
The talented star is also an associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has two Olivier Awards to his name after taking on the title of Henry VI in 2009.
In this new adaptation from 1984, the shopkeeper adds a suitably sinister touch of tension and intrigue to Charrington’s voice.
Francesca Mills as Syme
If you’re a fan of Harlots, you’ll recognize Mills from her role as a sex worker in the TV series starring Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville.
He also played the assassin Meldof in the Netflix miniseries The Witcher: Blood Origin; Not to mention Earthy Mangold, the BBC’s 2020 remake of the children’s classic Worzel Gummidge.
Mills is annoyingly good as Syme, an overenthusiastic employee of the Ministry of Truth. His performance truly captures the character’s intriguing blend of blind zeal and keen perception.
Behind the desk…
This powerful new dramatization of 1984 is directed by Bafta-winning Destiny Ekaragha (Ted Lasso, The End of the F***ing World) and written by playwright Joe White (Blackout Songs, The Little Big Things). The production also includes music composed by Muse frontman and guitarist Matthew Bellamy and composer Ilan Eshkeri, performed and recorded by a 60-person orchestra at Abbey Road Studios.
Audible’s new dramatization of George Orwell’s classic tale stars Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott and Tom Hardy, with original music by Matthew Bellamy and Ilan Eshkeri. Listen now. Subscription required. See audible.co.uk for terms.
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