Bryan Cranston To Mark His London Stage Debut At 'Network' as Howard Beale

Bryan Cranston is set to return to the theater stage as he portrays a memorable character in an award-winning television satire "Network." The actor's return to stage play will also serve as his debut in a London stage production.

As reported by the Guardian, Cranston will be a part of the upcoming U.K. production featuring the latest adaptation of Paddy Chayefsky's Oscar-winning screenplay. Lee Hall created the theater adaptation of "Network," which is expected to a dark satire just like the original 1976 film. The "Breaking Bad" actor will play the role of Howard Beale, the character first portrayed by Peter Finch. The latter's performance led to a posthumous Academy Award.

The National Theatre's artistic director Rufus Norris revealed the "Network" theater adaptation last Friday, following the announcement of the company's upcoming stage productions such as "Pinocchio" and "Macbeth." The director gave praises to the original film, noting its incredible satirical depiction of the media. As for Cranston bagging the role of Howard Beale, Norris expressed his confidence on the actor.

"It is great to broaden our pool of actors but the main thing is, can they do the job? And he clearly can. It is a wonderful part and a part which requires something compelling and special," Norris said. After all, Cranston has several acting recognitions from the Emmys and Tony that make him more than deserving of the role.

It is expected that the upcoming "Network" theater adaptation will feature the same satire elements that made the 1976 film a classic. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the movie focuses on the ridiculous rating war among the TV networks and their cunning ways to bring in more numbers. The fans of the original film will be excited to see Lee Hall's take on the classic satire piece, especially on one particular scene where Finch's Beale turned hysterical on-air and uttered his famous line "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

Cranston first starred in a theater production in Broadway's political drama "All the Way" as President Baines Johnson. The actor's Broadway debut led to a Tony win for best actor in a play, and afterward reprising the same role for HBO's TV movie version. He conquered primetime viewing with his Emmy-winning performance in "Breaking Bad" as Walter White.