Audible is to release a new audio thriller based on George Orwell’s 1984, featuring an all-star cast.
Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated actor Andrew Garfield leads the adaptation as Winston with Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winning and Oscar nominated actor Cynthia Erivo as Julia.
Alongside Garfield and Erivo, Tom Hardy voices Big Brother and Andrew Scott plays alluring, mysterious and dangerous O’Brien.
The cast also features Romesh Ranganathan as Parsons, Natasia Demetriou as Mrs Parsons, Chukwudi Iwuji as Charrington, Francesca Mills as Syme, Katie Leung as Ling, Alex Lawther as Ampleforth, plus a full ensemble.
Muse frontman, producer and songwriter, Matthew Bellamy and award-winning composer Ilan Eshkeri have created an original score performed by a 60-piece orchestra at Abbey Road studios. It features reworkings of two of Muse’s most iconic tracks. The production is underpinned by a visceral, haunting soundscape, and mixed in Dolby Atmos.
Directed by BAFTA award winning Destiny Ekaragha, the adaptation, penned by Olivier Award nominated writer Joe White stays faithful to the original text, leaning into the horror of the dystopian setting, whilst going deeper into Winston and Julia’s love story. In a world where love and sex are forbidden, Winston and Julia are the last lovers on earth.
Director Destiny Ekaragha said: “This is my first experience directing an audio drama, and what an honour it was to work so closely with a cast of this calibre. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what the Andrews, Cynthia and Tom have done with these iconic characters.”
Aurelie de Troyer, Head of Regional Content, Europe at Audible added: “This is 1984 like you’ve never heard it before. We’ve assembled a top team of creatives across the board, and the combination of the principal cast and Matt and Ilan’s epic soundtrack is something quite extraordinary. Andrew Garfield was born to play Winston – just wait until you hear his performance.”
The adaptation has been officially authorised and endorsed by the Orwell Estate with Richard Blair, George Orwell’s son, calling it “sensational” with a “brilliant cast”.
George Orwell’s 1984, an Audible Original, is planned to release globally on 4 April, exactly 40 years after the date of Winston’s first diary entry. It’s available to pre-order now exclusively on audible.