Netflix is getting into the Broadway business. The streaming giant is producing the upcoming play “Patriots” from “The Crown” creator Peter Morgan.
The series, set in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union, revolves around Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky, a billionaire who helped orchestrate the violent rise of Vladimir Putin. But he became a vocal critic of the Russian president and ended up dying.
This will mark Netflix’s Broadway debut, but it won’t be the company’s first foray into the stage. The company also produced the West End play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a spin-off of Netflix’s hit sci-fi series.
As previously announced, Tony nominee Michael Stuhlbarg will return to Broadway for the first time in 20 years in the role of Boris Berezovsky. Both original cast members Will Kane and Luke Thellon will make their Broadway debut as Vladimir Putin and Russian oligarch/politician Roman Abramovich, respectively.
Directed by Rupert Goold, “Patriots” will begin previews on April 1 ahead of opening night on April 22. It will run for 12 weeks at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The show premiered in London, where it became one of the fastest-selling new plays and recouped the investment in its original run.
“Patriots” will also be produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Nederlander, Richard Winkler, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ted Snowdon, Jamie deRoy/Ken Greiner and Richard Batchelder.
The creative team includes set designer Miriam Bother, co-costume designers Deborah Andrews and Miriam Bother, lighting designer Jack Knowles, sound designer and composer Adam Cork, show designer Ash J. Woodward, and motion director Polly Bennett.