Who do you think are the stage and screen national treasures of the future?

[SantaToSSD]

Thinking about Maggie Smith and her generation of actors got me thinking, specifically, that, although we can always enjoy her screen performances, it is a shame not to have seen her on stage. So, as someone who would like to go to the theatre more, who do you think are the next generation (so, say people aged between 50 and 65) of stage and screen national treasures? I am wondering very specifically about actors who mix both stage and screen, as Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi, etc did/do.

I sometimes wonder if David Tennant might one day fill that niche of national treasure as he obviously has done a lot of screen work and I have seen him on stage (and can confirm his performance was excellent and very charismatic). I have also, many years ago, seen Derek Jacobi a few times and again was blown away. But who else do you think I should look out for? Who else will one day have their stage performances mentioned as something special you were privileged to have seen?

Timothy Spall- surprised he hasn't been mentioned yet.

You've never heard of Victoria Wood?????

Came back to mention Ralph Fiennes, though I think he actively avoids having a public profile beyond his work these days, which precludes national treasure status. Once I might have said Charlotte Church but again I think she doesn't choose to chase publicity.

But am now feeling my age if people haven't heard of Victoria Wood.

Maybe there just isn't enough communally consumed media for many more national treasures to develop.

Daniel Craig did a ton of theatre before Bond - he played the lead in the original Angels in America at the National!

I agree with PP about the status being more about them being part of the zeitgeist of their generation than necessarily just excellent actors. Would Prue Leith and Kevin McCloud count for example?

Colin Morgan.

Rosie Sheehy - she is mesmerising on stage. I reckon she'll be winning all the awards very soon.

Agree with Stephen Graham

Some of these people already are nat treasures. The question is who will be considered one in the future

Helena BC
Olivia colman
Jo lumley etc

They have had long successful careers already

@PermanentTemporary But Victoria Wood is dead and has been for about 8 years. Of course those people here who are younger won't particularly know her now.
National pressures stand the test of time while they are alive- their careers pervade the national consciousness for decades. But lots of talented celebs do that without being National Treasures. There has to be a love, a warmth, respect and deep admiration that crosses age/class barriers. They certainly don't have to be actors. The late Queen was an NT- even for many who don't like the idea of monarchy- they respected and admired her and felt their world would be different without her. NTs 'anchor' us in some way, provide a constancy to our 'shared' lives. That's why phrases like 'things won't be the same, 'there will never be another', 'we won't see his/her like again' are trotted out. No o e will ever say that about most of the names mentioned.

I think Bill Nighy is on the edge of being one currently. perhaps David Beckham might become one - certainly not one yet.

Perhaps Ant and Dec could become NTs

It strikes me it is, as ever, easier for men.

I'm sure Stephen Fry would like to be one.

James Norton

Richard Armitage.

Surely Stephen fry is considered one now

@LuluBlakey1 why?

Jason Watkins as well as all the rest meniined

Why what?

Why wouldn't you include Indira Varma? Why are you so vehemently against her? And the others you have exempted?

Because most people don't know who she is. I think a national treasure has to be a household name.

Peter Kay
Kathy Burke

Of all the names mentioned so far I think Sarah Lancashire stands out. She's had a long and varied career and played characters many people love. She's done tv soap, theatre, musical theatre, etc. Jodie Comer is a national treasure of the future.

I think Hugh Grant may be up there, despite his foibles in the past.

No one has mentioned Adrian Lester. He has done so much and been something of a trailblazer for black actors.

Victoria Wood was an absolute legend. So many lines from her work stick in the mind and there have been numerous threads on here.

@LuluBlakey1 you don't know who she is. Many of the "treasures" of today were unknown by large swaths of society when they were younger. David Tennant only became a household name as Doctor Who.

I am not sure we will have future 'national treasures' in quite the same way. Not because the current generation of actors/personalities are lacking but because our watching habits are so fragmented these days. It's no longer the case that everyone goes to see the same film at the cinema, or watches the same series on TV; let alone going to see the same play at the theatre. People are not building the same heritage of memories around particular actors as they did when Maggie Smith was 'in her prime' (pun intended!).

I’ve been thinking that too @Sethera , but I was thinking there’s no such thing anymore because the illusion of a national treasure was smashed after Jimmy Saville’s death, Schofield, Holly scandals, Rolf Harris etc. When a big name dies now, a lot of people think what will come out the woodwork.

Thanks for the thread @SantaToSSD , a lot to ponder on!

I go to the theatre a LOT! Over the last 20 years the stage actors who I am consistently blown away by are: Rory Kinnear, Adrian Lester (I first saw him in a play when I was at school!) and Anne-Marie Duff. Sheridan Smith did the best Hedda Gabler I have ever seen, but not seen her on stage in anything since so not sure, but I note others have mentioned her.

Interesting discussion, thanks. I was going to mention Adrian Lester too.

I would not have considered Savile or Rolf Harris to be national treasures even before the truth became known.

Kenneth Branagh I think hasn't been mentioned either. He's done TV, stage, film and directed. Come to think of it, I don't think his ex wife Emma Thomson's been mentioned. I find her irritating as herself (she speaks highly of me, I know😉) but she's had a long and varied career.

We all have different perspectives which affect our individual responses to this kind of question.