Veteran stage and screen actor Penelope Wilton will play the lead role of Valentina Nrovka in Menier Chocolate Theater’s production of The Bay at Nice this spring.

Wilton is best known for her role in Downton Abbey as Isobel Crawley, "frenemy" to Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess. She won an Olivier Award in 2015 for her performance in Taken at Midnight.

Olivier Award winner David Hare's play originally premiered at the National Theatre in 1986. Taking place in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) during the ‘50s, it follows Valentina, and her daughter, Sophia (to be played by Ophelia Lovibond), who meet at the Hermitage to discuss art, life, politics, and family.

The cast, under the direction of Olivier winner Richard Eyre, will also include Martin Hutson as the Assistant Curator and David Rintoul as Peter Linisky.

Tickets go on sale to the public January 28 at MenierChocolateFactory.com.