Kim Cattrall Bows Out Of Stage Role Due To Undisclosed Illness

Actress Kim Cattrall, best known for her role as Samantha in the hit TV series Sex and the City, has backed out of a London play due to an unspecified health problem.

Cattrall was set to play the title role in the play Linda, a new play written by Penelope Skinner, at the Royal Court on Nov. 25. She was going to play a top marketing executive from a beauty company who realizes her career has hit a wall.

In a statement given on Thursday, Cattrall said, “With great sadness and at the advice of my doctors, I will not be able to continue with the Royal Court’s production of Linda. I appreciate all the support I have received from the theatre and I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to put my health first.”

Cattrall will be replaced by actress Noma Dumezweni in the leading role. Dumezweni is an Olivier Award winner for A Raisin in the Sun, in 2006. The actress has also played roles in popular British T.V. shows like Doctor Who and EastEnders.

In a statement given to the media, Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherstone said that the theatre “was deeply sorry that Kim was unable to continue with the production. We are extremely grateful and also thrilled that Noma Dumezweni, one of our most brilliant actors, has agreed to take on this challenge at such short notice. We are delighted that in spite of these difficulties Penelope Skinner’s important play can open to audiences with minimal disruption.”

While best known for her role as Samantha in Sex and the City, Cattrall is also an accomplished stage actress. Among other stage roles, he played Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra in 2010 at the Liverpool Playhouse.