Lesley Manville, 69, and John Lithgow, 79, Win Best Actor and Actress at Olivier Awards 2025; ‘Giant’ Secures Three Honors Including Best New Play

Lesley Manville and John Lithgow Triumph at 2025 Olivier Awards
(Image: Lesley Manville and John Lithgow holding their awards at the Royal Albert Hall)

Veteran actors Lesley Manville, 69, and John Lithgow, 79, claimed top honors at the 2025 Olivier Awards on Sunday, winning Best Actress and Best Actor for their roles in Oedipus and Giant, respectively. The star-studded ceremony, hosted by Beverley Knight and Billy Porter at London’s Royal Albert Hall, celebrated the best of West End theatre.

A Night for Giants
Lithgow, renowned for his portrayal of Roald Dahl in Giant, tearfully accepted his award, calling the play “one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on stage.” Mark Rosenblatt’s production dominated the night, winning Best New Play, while co-star Elliot Levey, 51, earned Best Supporting Actor.

(Image: John Lithgow emotional during his acceptance speech)

Lesley Manville’s Triumph
Manville secured Best Actress for her gripping performance in Oedipus, a modern retelling of the Greek tragedy. The play also won Best Revival, with director Robert Icke celebrating alongside co-stars Cate Blanchett and Tom Burke.

(Image: Lesley Manville posing with her Olivier Award)

Supporting Roles Shine
Romola Garai, 42, dazzled in a pink satin gown as she accepted Best Supporting Actress for The Years. Meanwhile, Sam Grabiner’s Boys On The Verge Of Tears won Best New Production in an Affiliate Theatre, presented by Idris Elba.

(Image: Romola Garai smiling with her award)

Star-Studded Presenters
The ceremony featured A-list presenters, including Tom Hiddleston, Hayley Atwell, and Ewan McGregor. Hiddleston and Atwell reunited to present Lithgow’s award, while Elba and McGregor mingled backstage.

(Image: Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell on stage)

Key Winners at a Glance

• Best Actor: John Lithgow (Giant)
• Best Actress: Lesley Manville (Oedipus)
• Best New Play: Giant
• Best Revival: Oedipus
• Best Supporting Actor: Elliot Levey (Giant)
• Best Supporting Actress: Romola Garai (The Years)

Behind the Winning Plays
Giant explores Roald Dahl’s controversial legacy, placing the author on trial for his antisemitic remarks. Oedipus reimagines Sophocles’ tragedy with Manville as Jocasta and Mark Strong as Oedipus. Both productions drew critical acclaim for their bold storytelling.

(Image: Cast of Giant celebrating backstage)

Highlights and Performances
The event included a special Les Misérables performance for its 40th anniversary. ITV aired a highlights show, while TikTok covered the green carpet. Host Beverley Knight praised the “sheer joy of celebrating talent,” and Billy Porter called theatre a “unique community.”

(Image: Beverley Knight and Billy Porter hosting the ceremony)

Conclusion
The 2025 Olivier Awards honored both established and emerging talents, cementing Giant and Oedipus as theatrical landmarks. With emotional speeches, glamorous attendees, and standout productions, the night underscored the enduring power of live performance.

(Image: Group photo of winners and presenters at the Olivier Awards)

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