A starring role for Orlando Bloom: Killer Joe, Trafalgar Studios

Following an eleven-year hiatus, The Lord of the Rings actor Orlando Bloom is making a much-awaited return to the London stage in Tracy Letts’ celebrated dark comedy Killer Joe.

Bloom stars in the 'adrenaline-fuelled' thriller as Joe Cooper, a corrupt policeman who works part-time as a contract killer.

The Smith family hires corrupt Cooper to murder an estranged relative for her insurance money. This plan rapidly derails when the family are unable to afford the fee Cooper demands; Cooper then requests payment in the form of their innocent young daughter.

Best known for Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lord of the Rings, Bloom has commented that this ‘dark and gritty’ role will be very different from his previous work. Always looking for an opportunity to return to the London stage, Bloom has said: 'It’s an interesting comment on a disenfranchised view of the American dream … It’s very different from many of the film roles I’m most recognised for'.

The titular role was performed by Matthew McConaughey in the film adaptation in 2011, it will be interesting to see how Bloom compares.

Directed by Simon Evans, the 1993 play runs for a very limited thirteen-week season at Trafalgar Studios – don't miss out on what will no doubt be one of the most hotly anticipated (and discussed) plays of the year.