Peter James' DSI Roy Grace takes to the stage in Wish You Were Dead at Nottingham Theatre Royal

Famous fictional detective DSI Roy Grace is back with a new case to solve in a stage adaptation of Peter James’ Wish You Were Dead, brought to life with an all-star cast.

George Rainsford is DSI Grace, alongside Giovanna Fletcher as Cleo Morey, Clive Mantle as Curtis, and Leon Stewart as DS Glenn Branson.

Adapted exclusively for the stage, Wish You Were Dead will be at the Theatre Royal Nottingham, from Tuesday to Saturday (February 28-March 4).

The stage premiere of Wish You Were Dead follows five successful stage plays and the critically acclaimed smash-hit primetime ITV series Grace, all based on Peter James’ best-selling novels.

Wish You Were Dead follows DSI Grace and Cleo Morey as they take a much-needed holiday together.

They are hoping for a few days away from their dark worlds of murder and the mortuary. But their dream escape turns out to be the holiday from hell, as the past comes back to haunt them.

George Rainsford said: “I can’t wait to be part of a theatre ensemble again and delve into Peter James’ thrilling criminal underworld.

“Getting to play Roy Grace, his most renowned detective creation, will be a huge honour. I am excited to meet audiences from all over the UK, and share with them some enthralling, edge-of-your-seat entertainment.”

George Rainsford has, for the last nine years, been playing series regular Ethan Hardy in Casualty on BBC One, for which he won the Inside Soap Award Best Drama Star 2017.

Other television credits include Holby City and Call the Midwife, and his numerous theatre credits include productions at the National Theatre, RSC and the Old Vic.

Giovanna Fletcher is a hugely successful author, podcast host and Queen of The Castle. After winning I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2020, Giovanna’s theatrical credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story and Ivanov in the West End.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to appearing on stage as Cleo in this new play, and excited to work with George and Clive ­— two wonderful actors I’ve heard great things about.

"As a novelist, I know how important the characters I create are to me, so I’m thrilled Peter James has entrusted me with this wonderful role, in what is another brilliant and gripping story from one of the greatest masters of crime thrillers.”

Clive Mantle’s extensive range of credits across theatre, film and television include an Olivier Award-nominated performance in Of Mice And Men, but he is perhaps best known for his television work in shows such as Casualty, Holby City, Game of Thrones and The Vicar Of Dibley.

He said: “I’m looking forward to terrifying… I mean entertaining… audiences up and down the length and breadth of Britain with Wish You Were Dead. Full of suspense and drama, there will be many funny moments, too, during the course of a captivating evening.”