James Corden wants to return to theatre after The Late Late Show

Virgin Radio

4 Apr 2023, 14:02

James Corden has revealed he hopes to return to the theatre once his time on The Late Late Show is done, saying that he’d be ‘really upset’ with himself if it doesn’t happen.

The actor and presenter was speaking during a panel discussion at a PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on Sunday (2nd April), where he discussed his future after his eight-year spell on the late-night US talk show ends later this month.

When Breaking Bad legend Bryan Cranston, who was moderating the conversation, asked if he would like to return to the theatre at some point, Corden responded (via The Hollywood Reporter): “I will be really, really upset with myself if, in the next year or year-and-a-half or so, I don't go do another play or revisit a play I've already done. I would give anything to go back and do a show again, I'd give absolutely anything," 

The actor, who has appeared on stage in the likes of The History Boys and One Man, Two Guvnors continued: “I'm just aware that what I'm trying to do isn't the road that's often travelled, to go from, like, National Theatre, writing a TV show on the BBC, Broadway, host of a late-night talk show, shooting stuff in the middle of that, stopping the late-night talk show and then going, 'Oh, I'd like to do another play now.' It just isn’t the road that’s been travelled to my knowledge, so with that comes a huge amount of fear. It’s terrifying, it’s absolutely terrifying.”

Before heading over to the US to host The Late Late Show, Corden portrayed Smithy in massively popular BBC sitcom, Gavin & Stacey, which he also co-wrote with Ruth Jones. The show ran for three seasons and two Christmas specials. Whilst fans are desperate for a continuation of the story, which ended on something of a cliffhanger, Jones told The Independent last year “It’s not coming back.”

However, Gavin & Stacey stars Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb (aka Pam and Mick) are heading back to Barry Island. They will present a brand new travel series, paying tribute to the locations used in the iconic BBC comedy.