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SONIA FRIEDMAN Sonia Friedman Productions.
When British Vogue named its 25 women who defined Britain in 2025, it was no surprise – but still a thrill – to see Friedman’s name among the list. Last year was incredible for this illustrious producer whose energy, ambition and passion continue to shine through in all that she does. Vogue praised her for her “era-defining shows in both the West End and on Broadway”, and it’s no exaggeration to say she is leader of the pack when it comes to producing both at home and across the pond.
Early in 2025, at the Tony Awards in New York, Friedman scooped 21 nominations across four productions – the most for any London-based theatre producer that year. This included five for Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which continues to wow audiences in New York and London, and seven for Jez Butterworth’s The Hills of California. She received a further seven nods for Dead Outlaw and two for Eureka Day. Her company won four Tonys, plus a special award for the illusions and effects in Stranger Things.
Closer to home, at the Olivier Awards, Friedman’s shows were the recipients of four gongs, including best director for The Years (which went to Eline Arbo), best actress in a supporting role (which went to Romola Garai for The Years), best revival for Robert Icke’s Oedipus and best actress for Lesley Manville, who starred in it. Friedman was particularly proud of The Years, telling Vogue: “This was the first piece of theatre where it was like: ‘Oh, this is my story, our story, the women’s story.’ It’s quite a shock that it’s taken this amount of time to see that on a commercial stage.”
Her output in 2025 was prolific, with productions – alongside The Years at the Harold Pinter Theatre – including Icke’s Manhunt at London’s Royal Court, Mean Girls at the Savoy Theatre and Mrs. Warren’s Profession (starring Imelda Staunton and daughter Bessie) at the Garrick. Long-runners The Book of Mormon, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Stranger Things continued to be West End favourites, while Friedman also produced The Importance of Being Earnest, starring Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell, and Broadway hit Stereophonic in London. On tour, she produced Sunny Afternoon.
Later in the year, she brought the nation’s favourite bear, Paddington, to the stage in a new musical that warmed critics’ hearts and brought a welcome family show to the West End. Her output on Broadway included Icke’s Oedipus, Dead Outlaw, Stranger Things and Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes starring Hugh Jackman. This was part of a new collaboration between Jackman and Friedman, who launched a “theatrical partnership” aimed at creating “intimate and accessible” live theatre in smaller-scale venues. Their company, called Together, includes director Ian Rickson. Friedman and Jackman insisted the move was not them “stepping away from Broadway or the West End” but rather “supporting and co-existing alongside them”.
Last year was also a huge period of change for Friedman, whose company, Sonia Friedman Productions, announced a number of key personnel updates. This included the appointment of National Theatre Productions’ executive producer Kash Bennett as executive director, who succeeded Diane Benjamin. The appointment was billed as the beginning of a “major restructure” at the leading commercial production company, with former SFP finance director Jack Dingle rejoining in the new role of managing director.
Friedman continued to be an outspoken advocate for theatre in 2025, urging the government to give the arts greater priority with a post dedicated solely to the sector. Later in the year, responding to much-needed changes to the curriculum that will give the arts greater prominence, Friedman said: “There is no society without culture. It’s not only positive but absolutely essential that the government is making these vital changes to the national curriculum. Access to the arts is fundamental for young people, not just to enrich their lives culturally, but because it has been proven to support mental well-being, nurture emotional intelligence, foster empathy and build community.” Passionate, dedicated and completely tuned into the sector, Friedman remains a leader of intense tenacity.
Coming up in 2026: 1536 at the Ambassadors Theatre, John Proctor Is the Villain, Mean Girls tour, Dreamgirls on Broadway.