The former Doctor Who star previously appeared in a Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production of the play in 2013.

He won rave reviews for the role and he is now returning to London's Barbican Theatre to tackle the show again.

The play will be part of the RSC's season titled King And Country: Shakespeare's Great Cycle of Kings, marking the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death.

Richard II will run at the Barbican from January (16).

David follows in the footsteps of fellow British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who is currently starring in a hugely successful production of Hamlet.

Broadchurch star David previously played Hamlet in an RSC production in 2008/2009.

Benedict's run at the Barbican concludes at the end of the month (Oct15).