Strictly couple land world first new roles in major stage show

It will be the first time acting for Max, and the first time singing for Maisie

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Neil ShawNetwork Content Editor (Live and Trends)

09:42, 15 APR 2024
Updated13:11, 15 APR 2024

Strictly Come Dancing couple Max George and Maisie Smith have landed joint roles in a major new stage production - playing married couple Parson Nathaniel & wife Beth in the iconic Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds ‘The Spirit of Man' arena tour in 2025. The Wanted's Max and ex-Eastender's Maisie met and fell in love on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The announcement of the new roles unleashes a series of ‘firsts', as we will hear Maisie sing for the first time and Max act for the first time. And it will be a first for The War of The Worlds, as Jeff Wayne casts a real-life couple into the marriage of Nathaniel and Beth. The role of Nathaniel has previously been played by Jason Donovan and Blue's Duncan James, while Steps' Claire Richards and singer Kerry Ellis have filled the past roles of Beth in early Jeff Wayne live productions of TWOTW.

"The moment I met Max and Maisie I knew they were the perfect fit for the role of Nathaniel and Beth," said Jeff Wayne. "Maisie has such a melodic but powerful voice, which compliments Max's dramatic vocals wonderfully. Plus, being a couple in real life will add to their on-stage charisma and chemistry, and I'm delighted they've joined the 2025 The Spirit of Man Tour as husband and wife."

"I am thrilled to announce my involvement in the iconic show that is Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds. This is a particularly special role for me because I grew up listening to the soundtrack on my dad's vinyl. My family are HUGE fans of the show so telling them I was going to be playing Beth was a very memorable moment," said Maisie.

Max said: "I'm absolutely buzzing to be a part of Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds. It's a show I've always been a fan of and was introduced to the music when I was five. My mum absolutely loves it. Playing the part of Parson Nathaniel is gonna be really special. I've got big shoes to fill with the likes of Phil Lynott and Jason Donovan playing the roles in the past, but I'm looking forward to making this role my own."

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds is back with a new 17-date (19 shows) UK and Ireland arena tour, arriving in time to celebrate 130 years since the publication of HG Wells' dark Victorian tale. Conducted by Jeff Wayne and featuring Liam Neeson in 3D holography as The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.

The tour will feature a new cast to star alongside Max George and Maisie Smith - with further names to be announced over the coming months. In 2006, TWOTW was already considered a cutting-edge production with six trucks filled to the brim. By 2025, marking 19 years of live touring, the production will be up to 12 trucks, with a host of new ingredients and special effects.