Off-Broadway’s ‘Shifters’ to Welcome Idris Elba, Little Simz and Danai Gurira to Producing Team

Idris Elba, Little Simz and Danai Gurira have joined the producing team for the North American premiere of Benedict Lombe’s play “Shifters,” which is now running Off-Broadway at Cherry Lane Theatre.

The trio joins Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Chuchu Nwagu Productions, in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, on the producing team.

Elba shared, “Seeing the profound impact ‘Shifters’ had on London audiences was a reminder of how universal this story truly is. Benedict Lombe has crafted a masterpiece of modern romance, and I am proud to see it cross the Atlantic.”

“With the brilliant Heather Agyepong reprising her role alongside the exceptional Daniel Ezra, bringing this play to the historic Cherry Lane Theatre is a milestone moment for Black British storytelling in New York,” Elba continued. 

The new romance from Olivier Award-nominated writer Benedict Lombe is making its North American debut following sold-out runs at London’s Bush Theatre and the West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre. Performances began July 6 and continue through August 30, with opening night scheduled for July 15.

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Gurira said she hopes the production will help bring more stories from the Black Diaspora to international audiences. “As a Zimbabwean-American playwright, I am passionate about championing stories of the Black Diaspora. I am thrilled to help amplify this gorgeous writer’s work,” Gurira said.

“‘Shifters’ is a beautiful and complex exploration of Black love. How rarely do we get to see Black love stories! It is a gem, and I hope will propel more stories from across the Black Diaspora to be told on global platforms,” Gurira continued. “I am honored to join this team and welcome Benedict Lombe’s groundbreaking voice to the New York stage at the legendary Cherry Lane.”

The production stars Heather Agyepong, who reprises her role as Des after originating the character at the Bush Theatre and returning for the West End production. She appears opposite Daniel Ezra.

The production is directed by BAFTA-nominated and Evening Standard Theatre Award-winning director Lynette Linton, who served as artistic director of the Bush Theatre from 2019 to 2025.

For more information and ticketing details, theatergoers can visit CherryLaneTheatre.org.