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Alistair Petrie, well known to many as the strict Mr. Groff in Netflix’s hit series Sex Education, has returned to the stage. Until November 2025, he takes on the role of King Claudius in a contemporary production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at London’s National Theatre. Directed by Robert Hastie, and starring Hiran Abeysekera as Hamlet, the production reimagines the tragedy with striking modern relevance.
A king, not a villain — at least in his own eyes
Alistair Petrie has a talent for unearthing the inner lives of characters often labeled as antagonists. As King Claudius, the man who murders his brother and marries his sister-in-law, that skill is particularly valuable. “When the curtain goes up, Claudius firmly believes that he’s in a play called Claudius,” Petrie states. It’s a fascinating way to enter the role, not as a villain in someone else’s story, but as a man trying to hold on to what he’s claimed.
This lens brings complexity. Watching Petrie perform, you can feel Claudius’s calculation, fear, and craving for legitimacy. It’s not sympathy he invites — it’s recognition. He’s an ambitious man, cornered by consequences of his choices, and there’s something tragically human in that. Petrie doesn’t play him for redemption. He plays him as real.
Back on stage after more than a decade
Taking on Hamlet marks Petrie’s first return to live theatre in eleven years. His last major stage role was Lord Wessex in the West End production of Shakespeare in Love, a demanding experience both personally and professionally. With three young boys at home at the time, balancing family life with intense stage work was, in his words, “strenuous.” To read Pluribus finale shocks fans as season 2 faces long wait
His decision to step away from the stage wasn’t about disinterest. It was about priorities — and partnership. He’s married to actress Lucy Scott, and the two carved out a shared path, raising three sons while navigating a relentlessly unpredictable industry. “We’ve managed to figure it out, my wife and I, because we are such a team,” Petrie reflects. It’s not often you hear an actor speak about career in such grounded, personal terms — and it’s a kind of honesty that earns respect.
The persistent pull of ensemble and belonging
Raised in a military family, constantly relocating and adapting, Petrie admits that theatre gave him something he deeply needed: a sense of belonging. He says ensemble work continues to hold special meaning for him, and it’s part of why his current Hamlet experience resonates so strongly.
There’s a grounded truth here. Despite having appeared in globally successful series, film projects, and high-profile stage roles, Petrie still speaks about collaboration, camaraderie, and live connection as the beating heart of his craft.
A breakthrough that nearly didn’t happen
There’s a turning point in Petrie’s television journey that feels like something out of a script. After auditioning for Prince Philip in The Crown — a role that eventually went to Tobias Menzies — Petrie received a rejection. But within an hour, he was offered the part of Mr. Groff in Sex Education. Sometimes doors close so another can open.
At first, Petrie wasn’t convinced Sex Education would hit. There’s so much noise in streaming today, and standing out isn’t easy. But the show found its audience — and then some. With more than 55 million households watching globally, it became a phenomenon. To read Taylor Swift opens up in final Eras Tour docuseries episode
For Petrie, the biggest win wasn’t just the role itself. It was the relationships. He remains close to many cast members, particularly Connor Swindells, who played his on-screen son, Adam. In a moment that says a lot about the man behind the actor, Petrie even officiated Swindells’ wedding to actress Amber Anderson. He’s also currently collaborating on a new project with George Robinson, who played Isaac in the show.
A familiar face in The Night Manager — and soon, again
Outside of Sex Education and Shakespeare, Petrie also made a sharp impression in the highly regarded miniseries The Night Manager, where he played Lord Sandy Langbourne alongside Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie. Originally intended as a one-season thriller, the series is now officially returning to Prime Video for a second season, with a third already in sight.
Though these new episodes won’t be direct adaptations of John le Carré’s novels, they aim to reflect the spirit and complexity of his work. According to Petrie, the structure is almost Shakespearean in itself, weaving power, intrigue, and betrayal into modern espionage.
- Season 2 of The Night Manager is expected to premiere on Prime Video
- Season 3 is already in development, with filming expected next year
- Alistair Petrie will reprise his role as Lord Langbourne
- Hugh Laurie is returning as executive producer, bringing deep le Carré insight to the table
Once again, Petrie is back in a world of ambition, secrecy, and shifting loyalties. And honestly, I’m excited to see what he brings this time.
Being a working actor, being present
Despite his impressive resumé, Petrie doesn’t sound like a man chasing fame. He talks about “raising three well-adjusted, decent human beings” as a kind of accomplishment that sits beside his best performances. That dual focus — art and family — gives his work a certain calm confidence. He’s not trying to prove anything. He’s performing, connecting, and telling stories in the most human way possible.
It’s a joy to see him as Claudius, wrestling with guilt and power on stage, all while continuing to shape memorable roles on screen. For someone who started searching for belonging, Petrie has not only found it — he’s helped build it, for audiences and colleagues alike.
