Kym Marsh – Embracing her villain era in single White Female
There’s something incredibly nostalgic about the title Single White Female. For many of us, it conjures memories of the iconic 90s thriller starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh – a dark, stylish tale of identity theft, obsession and the dangers of inviting the wrong person into your life. Now, the story is getting a fresh theatrical reimagining, and the production is opening right here in Brighton. Even better, it stars one of Britain’s most recognisable performers – Kym Marsh.
For those who don’t know the story, can you tell us the premise of Single White Female? It’s an adaptation of the classic 90s film with Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh. The story follows a woman looking for a roommate, and she advertises for someone new to move in. My character is the lucky applicant who becomes her flatmate and from the moment she’s invited into the home, things get very dark very quickly. It turns fast. It’s a brilliant psychological thriller, and the stage version has kept that intensity.
What drew you to this particular role? Honestly, I feel like I’m in my villain era at the moment! I played Cruella de Vil last year, I’ve played Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, and I’ve just filmed a Channel 5 drama where I’m also playing someone on the darker side. So I suppose I’m being cast that way right now, but I remember the Single White Female film so well. It’s a movie I loved.
The character is so multi-layered and the story is brilliant. The stage adaptation brings it right up to date too. We live in a digital world with social media, online identities, all of that… so the play taps into those modern anxieties really well. It translates perfectly into the here and now.
Playing a villain must be quite a challenge, stepping out of your normal persona… Absolutely. It really takes you out of your comfort zone. And of course I’m nothing like the character, thank God! So it becomes this challenge of trying to find some truth in her, something you can empathise with. That’s how you play any role honestly, but with a villain it’s even more important. It’s great fun though. I love it.
Do you think audiences will feel any sympathy for her? Maybe not at first! But, like in the movie, by the end you learn things about her that are actually really sad. Part of you goes, “What an awful life she’s had.” You don’t justify what she does, nobody deserves a stiletto in the eyeball! But you can at least understand the tragedy behind it. There’s vulnerability there. I think audiences will see that.
You’re opening the show in Brighton – have you spent much time here? Yes! I opened Fatal Attraction in Brighton too. That was during the Covid-testing era, so we were rehearsing and isolating and trying to not get shut down. One of our cast got quite ill and had to isolate in a hotel room. But even with all that, I remember having the best time.
We were there for about two weeks and I got to wander around a bit. It’s such a brilliant place, always something happening, little quirky corners everywhere. I love that about Brighton. I’ve also got friends here, including Charles, he played my nephew in Dalmatians. He’s promised to take me round properly this time and show me the real Brighton.
Have rehearsals already started? Not yet! We start on Monday next week, in Manchester, actually, which is perfect for me because it means I can stay at home throughout December. I’ve been part of the development process from the very start, and we’ve been talking about doing this play for over two years, so I’m thrilled it’s finally happening.
Once we get in the room, things will evolve again. It’s a brand new play, and with our amazing director, Gordon Greenberg, we’ll be shaping it together. And I’m so excited to work with Lisa Faulkner, she’s just adorable.
Your career spans music, TV, film and theatre. Do you have a favourite? I genuinely love both stage and screen. With TV, it’s exciting to see how something turns out after filming, you watch it back and think, “Wow, that shot looks great.” But on stage, nothing beats that instant reaction from an audience. The laugh, the gasp… it’s special. I feel really lucky to do both.
If your character had a day out in Brighton, what would she get up to? Oh, she’d definitely be on the apps looking for her next victim! She’d be scoping people out. She’s also a photographer in this version of the play, so I think she’d take loads of photos of the beautiful, quirky spots around Brighton.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? From my mum: never go to sleep on an argument. That’s a good life rule. And acting-wise: always be a generous actor. Some people only give you their energy when the camera’s on them. Don’t be that person.
Finally, anything coming up after Single White Female? Well, by the time this comes out, viewers will already have seen me in the Channel 5 drama The Imposter, which airs on 15 December. Beyond that, lots happening, but that’s the one I can talk about!
Single White Female starring Kym Marsh: Theatre Royal from 9 January 2026 / www.atgtickets.com
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