Bill Pullman joins the cast of The Cherry Orchard

The Independence Day star and renowned theatre actor joins the previously-announced duo of Kenneth Branagh and Helen Hunt in the upcoming Chekhov play.

We're delighted to announce that Bill Pullman will join the cast of our summer production of The Cherry Orchard, playing the role of Gaev.

Bill joins the previously announced Kenneth Branagh (Lopakhin) and Helen Hunt (Madame Ranevskaya) in this new production of Anton Chekhov’s final play by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (The Constant Wife, Home, I'm Darling, Posh, The Riot Club, Rivals), directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director, Tamara Harvey.

Bill Pullman is known for iconic roles across film, including Spaceballs, Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, The Battle of the Sexes and The Accidental Tourist as well as television including The Sinner (SAG Award-nomination), Halston and The Murdaugh Murders: The Movie.

On joining the production, Bill Pullman says:
"Thrilled is too inadequate - I’m thankful to be part of this company alongside Ken and Helen, and to be working with the talented Tamara Harvey and Laura Wade.

"When I think of this production, set in the Swan Theatre, I have a feeling that we all are anticipating an experience of exceptional power. Hurry, first rehearsal."

Bill Pullman_2026_426489 — Bill Pullman joins the previously announced duo of Kenneth Branagh and Helen Hunt in The Cherry Orchard.
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Bill began his career in New York theatre in 1983 and has remained active on stage, most recently appearing in the National Theatre’s 2019 revival of All My Sons and Mad House in the West End. On Broadway, his credits include the Tony-Award winning The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? and The Subject was Roses. He was nominated for Drama Desk Awards for Sticks and Bones and Peter and Jerry.

Upcoming projects include The Boroughs (Netflix, May 21, 2026), The Basics of Philosophy (dir. Paul Schrader), Jody Hill’s Famous (A24), Spaceballs: The New One (April 23, 2027) as well as Everybody Digs Bill Evans which had its premiere at 2026 Berlin Film Festival.

The Cherry Orchard plays at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 10 July to 29 August 2026.

FIND OUT MORE

Full casting for The Cherry Orchard will be announced soon.

Bill Pullman joins the cast of The Cherry Orchard

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