The Fifth Step
in Cinemas

Various Cinemas

27 Nov - 14 Feb 2026 | Various Cinemas

Overview

Following a sold out run in London's West End, The Fifth Step has been filmed for National Theatre Live and will be available in cinemas from the end of November.

Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden, star of international hit show Slow Horses, reprises his role as Luka and is joined by Emmy, BAFTA and SAG Award-winner Martin Freeman as James.

Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from Soho Place on London’s West End, The Fifth Step is a provocative, entertaining and dryly funny new play from David Ireland.

After many years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James agrees to become the sponsor of newcomer Luka.

On the journey to sobriety, the pair bond over black coffee, trade stories, and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences.

On the cusp of Step 5, their conversations must turn to confessionals, with progress hinging on Luka revealing secrets that could lead back to alcohol. But it’s clear that James also has dangerous truths in his past, truths that threaten the trust on which both their recoveries depend.

Written by David Ireland
Directed by Finn den Hertog

Produced by Neal Street, Playful Productions and National Theatre Scotland

National Theatre Live Screenings

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This production ran from 12 May - 26 July 2025 @Soho Place in London's West End and 17 - 31 August 2024 in Dundee, Edinburgh International Festival and Glasgow.

Reviews from the West End Run (2025).

5 Stars

Raw, excruciating and alarmingly funny

Daily Mail

4 Stars

Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman are superb

Financial Times

4 Stars

Laugh-out-loud funny two hander

Sunday Times

Cast

Team

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Rehearsal Images

  • Jack Lowden sits in the rehearsal room, he has a serious expression.
  • The director sits on a chair in the rehearsal room. He is pointing past the camera.
  • Martin Freeman standing in a rehearsal room, he is looking into the distance dramatically.
  • A woman sitting in the rehearsal room. She is smiling directly at the camera.
  • Martin and Jack sitting at a table in the rehearsal room. Martin has his back to the camera and Jack is watching him warily.
  • Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden sit at a desk in the rehearsal room. Jack has his back to the camera and has his face in his hand. Martin watches him with a grave expression.

Production Images

  • Martin Freeman sits at a table with his back to the camera. Jack Lowden looms over him at the opposite side. Jack is staring intently at Martin- he looks angry and wants to show his power.
  • Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden walk around the rime of a rectangular stage. The room is dark except for the blue lighting around the rim. Chairs are in the middle of the rectangle, they are almost invisible.
  • Jack and Martin stand face-to-face. They seem tense. Martin looks as though he is taunting Jack.
  • Jack sits dejectedly on the chair. He has a pensive expression.
  • Jack is jumping high in the air. The background is mostly dark but the rim of the stage is blue as are the small lights in the ceiling.
  • Martin sits on a chair with his legs crossed. He is holding a coffee cup and looks off-camera to his right, His expression is subtly playful.