Luke Newton is trading in his high-society waistcoats for something a little more daring and a whole lot darker. The “Bridgerton” breakout star has officially signed on to lead “House of McQueen,” a new Off-Broadway play that tells the story of one of fashion’s most iconic and enigmatic figures. The one and only Lee Alexander McQueen.
Fresh off his emotional season as Colin Bridgerton, Newton’s latest role is miles away from London ballrooms. That being said, it is anything but less dramatic. According to Deadline, the production promises a gripping, emotionally charged exploration of creativity, pain, beauty, and the man behind the fashion revolution.
From Netflix Royalty to Fashion’s Fallen King
Newton’s rise to fame has been meteoric, to say the least. After early TV work in shows like “The Cut” and “The Lodge,” he became a global sensation. This is thanks to his role as the charming Colin Bridgerton on Netflix’s popular series, “Bridgerton.” His recent return to the London stage in “The Shape of Things” showed off his serious theater chops. It was enough to earn him praise for bringing vulnerability and depth to modern drama.
Now, Newton is set to portray a very different kind of leading man.
The production, which is set to open this fall Off-Broadway, dives into McQueen’s mind. It is expected to show his brilliance, his defiance, and his pain. It’s more than a fashion biopic; it’s a theatrical journey through the eyes of a man who redefined what fashion could be. Casting Newton in the lead definitely signals a bold direction for the show.
According to TheaterMania’s official bio for the production, “House of McQueen is a new Off-Broadway play about the life and work of iconic fashion designer Alexander McQueen as told from his own revolutionary, daring, and elegant perspective. It is the story of a boy born in the East End of London, who wears his heart on his sleeve, never meant to rise beyond his working-class family.”
A Role as Daring as the Designer Himself
The story spans McQueen’s humble East London beginnings to his meteoric rise as the head designer at Givenchy. It will also show how he created his own boundary-breaking fashion house. Along the way, audiences will witness the inner battles he fought to keep his artistry raw and unfiltered in an industry increasingly driven by profit and perfectionism.
“Seeking to find beauty in the most devastating aspects of life, McQueen envisions and creates clothes to empower women in response to what is happening in his life and the world around him,” the description continued.
“Fighting against the commercial interests of legendary houses like Givenchy and Gucci to remain provocative, he challenges norms and pushes boundaries as an artist. In the end, the fight consumes him.”
Can Luke Newton Channel McQueen’s Magic?
If early buzz is anything to go by, yes, and then some. Newton’s emotional maturity on screen and on stage, coupled with his real-life charisma, make him an exciting choice to portray the designer.
This is Newton’s first major theatrical role in the U.S., and it marks a defining shift in his career trajectory. It’s one that moves him from heartthrob status into the realm of complex, character-driven work.
“House of McQueen” has all the makings of a showstopper. With Newton in the lead, Off-Broadway might just become the most stylish ticket in town.
Stay tuned for official dates, cast announcements, and pre-sale info, which has yet to be announced. What we do know is that the first preview will take place August 19th at the Mansion at Hudson Yards in New York. If you catch yourself in New York or visiting New York that day, you can find your tickets here!
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‘Bridgerton’ Actor to Star as Alexander McQueen in Off-Broadway Play ‘House of McQueen’