Gemma Arterton will return to the West End stage playing Joan of Arc.

The actress is set to star in a production of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan at London’s Donmar Warehouse theatre.

She will be directed by Donmar’s artistic director Josie Rourke in the production, which is based on Shaw’s work that chronicles the life and trial of the famous warrior.

Gemma Arterton (Ian West/PA)
Gemma Arterton (Ian West/PA)

Rourke said: “I am thrilled to be directing Gemma Arterton, one of our most luminous and compelling stage actors in Bernard Shaw’s St Joan.

“The play is something I’ve long wanted to stage at the Donmar and I am immensely proud to be presenting a season of work in which female and diverse voices take on great figures of history and great roles from the canon.”

The former Bond girl recently starred as Nell Gwynn on the West End stage.

The autumn line-up will also see Kwame Kwei-Armah return to the London stage to direct the UK premiere of One Night In Miami.

Kwame Kwei-Armah  (Sean Dempsey/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Kwame Kwei-Armah (Sean Dempsey/PA Archive/Press Association Images)

Written by Kemp Powers, it is set on the historic night in 1964 when Cassius Clay, better known as Muhammad Ali, celebrated his world heavyweight title win with his close friends including football star Jim Brown, singer Sam Cooke and activist Malcolm X.

Actor Sope Dirisu, who recently starred in Channel 4 drama Humans, will play the title role of Clay.

She said the Donmar was delighted to welcome back Kwame.

“The production was long-planned to be staged at the Donmar in 2016, however since the passing of the legend, Muhammad Ali, the play has taken on a new and added poignancy,” she said. “We are honoured to be producing its UK premiere.”