First produced in 2023 I, DANIEL BLAKE, an adaptation of Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or and BAFTA award-winning film by actor, comedian and the original Daniel Blake Dave Johns, depicted a chilling and very real narrative of life at the sharp end of an inflexible social system. As it returns to the stage in 2026 – has anything really changed? Both director Mark Calvert and leading actor David Nellist return to the production, with Jessica Johnson joining the team as Katie. I, DANIEL BLAKE plays in Leeds Playhouse’s Courtyard Theatre from 28 April – 9 May as part of a UK Tour.
‘In the year from April 2024 to March 2025, UK food banks distributed 2.9 million emergency food parcels, which works out to one parcel every 11 seconds. That’s a 51% increase compared to five years ago.’ (Trussell, Emergency food parcel distribution in the UK, May 2025)
Sadly in 2026 I, DANIEL BLAKE remains a stark representation of the reality faced by so many individuals and families living in the UK . With little sign of a fall in poverty levels in the last 20 years and the historic rise of food banks in our cities, I, DANIEL BLAKE is a timely reminder of what happens when the system fails the individual and any autonomy is taken away. As Katie so eloquently puts it ‘I don’t live Dan, I just exist’.
‘In October 2024, around 2.6 million of the poorest fifth of households (44%) were in arrears with their household bills or behind on scheduled lending repayments, 4.1 million households (69%) were going without essentials and 3.2 million households (54%) cut back on food or went hungry.’ (Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2025) UK Poverty 2025)
Director Mark Calvert said:
The story of I, Daniel Blake remains as necessary as ever. Whilst working on the original production I regularly visited the Newcastle food banks and witnessed first-hand the extraordinary work of their teams. After years of government policies that deepened hardship and division, we find ourselves still grappling with their legacy. I feel that there was a hope in our country, when our current government came to power, for a new era of progress and compassion, but instead, many communities continue to feel the weight of austerity. This production stands as a testament to the need for realignment – a call to keep telling these stories until our country truly supports its most vulnerable, rather than protecting the privileged few and demonizing those in need.
Mark Calvert is a working class theatre director/maker from the North East of England. He has worked across all scales of stages from studio to main houses working in new writing and devised theatre settings.. He is dedicated to supporting working class artists build sustainable careers in the creative industries. Directing credits include: I, Daniel Blake, A Christmas Carol, Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune, James & the Giant Peach, Five Feet in Front & Every Brilliant Thing. In April 2026 he will join Eastlake Productions.
David Nellist reprises his award-winning (Best Performing Artist at the 2023 North East Culture Awards) role as Daniel. Originally from Wallsend in Newcastle, he appeared as Mike Stamford in Sherlock on BBC ONE with Benedict Cumberbatch as well as Stonehouse opposite Matthew Macfadyen on ITV. His theatre credits include West End productions Billy Elliott, War Horse, The Pitmen Painters and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, as well as the Olivier Award nominated Animal Farm (Leeds Playhouse and Stratford East in association with Nottingham Playhouse). His credits also include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Not Too Tame, Shakespeare North Playhouse, Northern Stage) and Close the Coalhouse Door (Northern Stage).
Jessica Johnson takes on the role of Katie. She received the Journal Culture Award for Performing Artist of the year in 2018 and went on to be well recognised for her work in Educating Rita (Gala Durham), Goth Weekend (Stephen Joseph Theatre and Live Theatre), and the multi-award-winning Key Change (Open Clasp). She then went on to play Rita again in the 40th Anniversary National Tour of Educating Rita. Theatre credits include: Killing Jack (Queens Theatre), Love It If We Beat Them (Live Theatre) and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Northern Stage). Television credits include: I Fought The Law (ITV), Casualty (BBC), The Hunt for Raoul Moat (ITV), Vera (ITV), and Coronation Street (ITV).
Completing the cast are four incredible actors who all return to I, DANIEL BLAKE following their roles in the original production. Micky Cochrane an actor, singer and occasionally a stand-up comedian who has appeared on all the major theatre stages in the North-East. He was named Performing Artist of the Year at the N.E Culture Awards 2025. Janine Leigh studied at Newcastle College and Cumbria Institute of the Arts, she has recently finished panto at The Exchange North Shields. Kema Sikazwe also known as Kema Kay, was brought up in the west end of Newcastle. He came from a musical background and has gone on to perform at the biggest venues around Newcastle, headlining his show at the O2 Academy. He wrote and performed his one-man show Shine which played at Live Theatre in Newcastle to rave reviews. Jodie Wild is a Northern actor and facilitator passionate about truthful, socially conscious storytelling. She has starred in music videos for Northern artists and appeared in multiple short films, continuing to build a body of work grounded in realism and authenticity.
The creative team includes Director Mark Calvert, Writer/Adaptor Dave Johns, Designer Rhys Jarman, Movement Director Martin Hylton, Stage Manager/Company Manager Rachel Glover, Duty Stage Manager Andrea Scrimshaw & Chloe Ribbens, Lighting Designer Simisola Majekodunmi and Costume Supervisor Naomi Daley.
The original production won Excellence in Touring at the 2023 UK Theatre Awards. At the 2023 North East Culture Awards Dave Johns took home the Best Writer award, and David Nellist was named Best Performing Artist.
Originally a co-production between Northern Stage, Birmingham Rep, Oldham Coliseum, English Touring Theatre and tiny dragon Productions, in association with Cardboard Citizens, the revival will be produced by Northern Stage in association with Leeds Playhouse.
