Natalie Dormer as Anna Karenina: Game of Thrones Star on Stage
Natalie Dormer takes the stage as Anna Karenina at Chichester Festival Theatre,and motherhood has reshaped her portrayal. Discover how the Game of thrones star approaches this iconic role, viewing Anna as a “proto-feminist” grappling with societal constraints. Dormer believes her experience enriches the performance,highlighting the guilt and grief at the heart of Tolstoy’s epic—a theme that resonates even more today,especially in our relationship with technology. The actress also discusses her move towards nuanced, complex female characters. Get more insights on Dormer’s take,as News Directory 3 reports on the story. Discover what’s next for the versatile actress.
Natalie Dormer Tackles Anna Karenina Role, Impact of Motherhood
Updated June 09, 2025
Natalie dormer is finally embodying the iconic Anna Karenina on stage at Chichester Festival Theatre, a role initially proposed to her in 2019. The intervening years, filled wiht diverse screen roles, motherhood, and a global pandemic, have seemingly prepared her for the part. Dormer believes the themes in leo Tolstoy’s epic resonate even more today, notably regarding society’s relationship with technology.
Dormer, now 43, emphasizes how becoming a mother has profoundly shaped her understanding of Anna Karenina. She notes that Phillip breen’s adaptation highlights Anna’s guilt and grief,stemming from replacing maternal love with romantic love.
While acknowledging that other actresses could portray Anna without being mothers, Dormer feels her own experience has enriched her performance. she explained that life experiences inevitably change an actor’s perspective, influencing how they approach pivotal moments in a character’s life.
Reflecting on her career, which includes roles in “The Tudors,” “Game of Thrones,” and “The Hunger Games,” Dormer expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the stage. She values the camaraderie of the current production, which includes a large cast, musicians, and local youth theater members.
Dormer describes her interpretation of Anna as a “proto-feminist,” acknowledging the potential for debate when applying modern sensibilities to period pieces. She emphasizes that her role is to create a three-dimensional, human character, while past accuracy is determined by others.
Dormer also spoke about her involvement with children’s charities, particularly regarding online safety. She cited statistics on the rise of online grooming and the sharing of explicit photos among young people. Despite advice to the contrary, Dormer has avoided social media, citing the tech platforms’ irresponsibility toward young users.
Many of Dormer’s roles feature women constrained by societal expectations who strategically navigate or break free from those limitations. She will appear in “Audrey’s Children” as Dr. Audrey Evans, a pioneer in pediatric cancer treatment, and as Sarah Ferguson in “The Lady,” a drama about Jane Andrews.
Dormer notes that scripts for women have become more complex, allowing for antiheroines with questionable actions. She also touched on her experience working with Madonna,acknowledging the strict NDA surrounding the project.
Ultimately, Dormer encourages embracing the present moment. She admits to being hard on herself in the past but has learned self-compassion.She believes how one treats oneself is reflected in their children.
“It was a gift to become a mother before playing this role,” she says, pointing out that Breen’s adaptation has “really zeroed in on her guilt and grief, realizing that she replaced her maternal love with amorous love – and that, ultimately, was her undoing”.
What’s next
Natalie Dormer continues her exploration of complex female characters, challenging societal norms and expectations through her diverse roles on stage and screen. Audiences can see her in “Anna Karenina” at the Chichester Festival Theatre through June 28.