When Ken Loach’s film, I, Daniel Blake was released a decade ago, it touched a very raw nerve: the Newcastle-based drama told the story of a man who, having worked hard all his life as a carpenter, suffers a heart attack – and is told by a doctor to take time off while he recovers. But when trying to claim benefits, he gets snarled up in a cruel and dysfunctional system.

I, Daniel Blake is not, sadly, a story that feels confined to its time – it remains a potent, pertinent reminder of how easy it can be to slip through the cracks of a punitive benefits system in modern Britain. And three years ago, the story found new life, being adapted for the stage. With a script written by Dave Johns – the actor who played Daniel in the original film – the theatrical re-telling of this story opened at Northern Stage to huge acclaim in 2023. 

Now, the production is back - with Geordie actor David Nellist returning this year to the role of Daniel Blake, while Jessica Johnson joins the cast as Katie – Daniel’s neighbour, a single mum struggling to make ends meet. Holly Williams spoke to them both about bringing I, Daniel Blake to life on stage for 2026.

How similar or different is the play of I, Daniel Blake to the film?

David Nellist: It follows largely the same story – the basic premise is the same. It's not one of those where you go and see the play version of the film and think, "oh, I didn't recognise that at all". We haven't made it into a musical or anything like that!

Jessica Johnson: It really is a brilliant script: the more you read it the more detailed it gets, there’s layers of feeling. And you get longer scenes, so you get to know a little bit more about the characters, their background.

Can you tell me about the characters you’re playing?

Nellist: I play Daniel, a guy in his late 50s, and he's been a working man all his life, tradesman, skilled carpenter, and he suffers a heart attack which leads him into having to navigate the benefits system.

Johnson: And I'm playing Katie – it's her journey through the benefit system, homelessness, being a single parent.

Do you recognise these stories? Do you feel like you've known Daniels and Katies?

Johnson: Absolutely. I do a lot of community work, so you do see just how quickly your luck can change. A lot of people are suffering in silence, I would say. I think I, Daniel Blake is bringing those stories to the forefront of people's minds – that this is still very much happening now. It is absolutely still relevant.

In 2016, lots of those issues in the film – around austerity and welfare cuts and the demonization of benefit claimants – were very live. And maybe we thought it was related to who was in power – the Tory government of that era. But we’re 10 years on, we've got a Labour government… do you think things are any better now?

Nellist: I think they’ve got no better. There’s maybe less overt demonization [of people on benefits], but there’s still a huge swathe of poverty. Let's not rest on our laurels and think that this problem's gone away, because it really hasn't. In many ways, the food bank situation is getting worse.

Johnson: One of Katie's lines is about “the working poor”: people who are working full-time jobs still not being able to afford rent and bills, the absolute basics. It's impacting a lot more people. People are really struggling, and that's even if they are working.

I feel like when we were first becoming aware of food bank usage in this country, it did seem quite shocking. And now it's almost been normalised…

Nellist: And that's a worry, because then successive governments just accept it.

Johnson: We've become desensitised, I think. I, Daniel Blake is a really powerful story to remind people that there's still a fight to be had.

How important do you think it is that this story is told in the theatre – in a live art form, where we're all in the room together?

Nellist: I think it’s hugely important. What we learned the last time was that afterwards, talking in the bars or when we had the Q&A sessions, people were really angry and passionate. They were the most vociferous Q&As I've ever been part of: normally it’s "how do you learn your lines?” – but this was more like a political forum. I think there's nothing like live performance for really bringing the message home.

Johnson: Especially with a story like this, the conversations that it inspires are far reaching – everyone sharing that space and sharing those experiences together just seems to really spark debate. Being face-to-face, it really motivates people and empowers them to feel like they have a voice.

How does it feel coming back to the play having done it before?

Nellist: Last time it had a huge impact on my mental health. So this time I'm having to try to really find strategies so that doesn't become the case! You have to really watch out because you're in rehearsals with Daniel every day, and it's a very, very powerful thing that it does to you.

There is also humour in the script too... how do you make sure that you're filling the show with energy and life as well?

Johnson: I like the humanity in it. There's some really beautiful scenes that show community coming together – just lovely bits of human connection and kindness. It brings some light into the piece for me.

Nellist: And the relationship between Dan and his next door neighbour, China, that feels a very real one – you've got that banter. I really enjoy that, and the audience needs it. We can't just be bashing them on the head for two hours. There's some laughs in there!

What do you hope people might take away from this production if they come and see you both?

Nellist: [I hope] for somebody, on their next shop, to put something in the food bank box. Everything seems so overwhelming at the minute, there’s a lot of things that are going on – how can we, the individual, make a difference? It's about going: right, well, that's one way you can.

Johnson: I know people feel very disempowered because there is so much going on in the world, it’s just so much for us all to take in. But if we can start at the grassroots and start to help our neighbours and our communities… at least that's something. I hope the show inspires people to do that.

I, Daniel Blake is a really beautiful reminder to just check in on the people around you…

Johnson: Yeah, check in. Volunteer somewhere. Get to a food bank. It's just really about going back to basics and looking out for each other. 

I, Daniel Blake is at Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne, 20 Mar–4 Apr 2026

I, Daniel Blake is at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, 7–11 Apr 2026

I, Daniel Blake is at The Dukes, Lancaster, 14–18 Apr 2026

I, Daniel Blake is at HOME Manchester, 21–25 Apr 2026

I, Daniel Blake is at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds, 28 Apr–9 May 2026 

Interview by Holly Williams (freelance journalist and the editor of the theatre Substack Exeunt)

BOOK TICKETS FOR I, DANIEL BLAKE