Kim Cattrall forced to pull out of West End play due to mystery illness as she's replaced by Olivier Award-winner Noma Dumezweni

By Helen Turnbull For Mailonline

Published: 11:42 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 20:37 EST, 20 November 2015

Kim Cattrall has been forced to pull of a West End show on doctor's orders.

The Sex and the City actress was due to play the titular role in Linda at the Royal Court Theatre in Chelsea, London, from November 26 onwards but has dropped out after receiving medical advice.

Kim, 59, will now be replaced by Olivier Award-winner Noma Dumezweni who's starred in a number of theatre productions and has held many small roles in a whole host of popular TV series, including Shameless, EastEnders and Doctor Who.

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Doctor's orders: Kim Cattrall has been forced to pull out of her new West End play, entitled Linda, due to a mystery illness. Pictured here appearing on Loose Women in April 2015

Doctor's orders: Kim Cattrall has been forced to pull out of her new West End play, entitled Linda, due to a mystery illness. Pictured here appearing on Loose Women in April 2015

Liverpool-born Kim - who is best known for playing Samantha Jones in the hit HBO rom-com SATC - made the announcement via a statement released by the theatre.

She said: 'With great sadness and at the advice of my doctors, I will not be able to continue with the Royal Court's production of Linda.

'I appreciate all the support I have received from the theatre and cannot thank them enough for allowing me to put my health first.'

Filling her shoes: Olivier Award-winner Noma Dumezweni will replace Kim, 59, in the titular role. Pictured here at the Henry V press night afterparty at The National Portrait Gallery Cafe in December 2013

Filling her shoes: Olivier Award-winner Noma Dumezweni will replace Kim, 59, in the titular role. Pictured here at the Henry V press night afterparty at The National Portrait Gallery Cafe in December 2013

The Golden Globe winner chose not to disclose her medical condition at this point. 

The Royal Court's artistic director Vicky Featherstone extended her sympathies.

She said: 'We are all deeply sorry that Kim is unable to continue with the production and she has our warmest wishes.

'With great sadness': The Samantha Jones actress confirmed the news in a statement released by Royal Court Theatre. Pictured here arriving at BBC Radio 2 in London in April 2015

'With great sadness': The Samantha Jones actress confirmed the news in a statement released by Royal Court Theatre. Pictured here arriving at BBC Radio 2 in London in April 2015

A love for the theatre: Despite being best known for her role in Sex and the City. the Liverpool-born actress returns to the stage whenever possible

A love for the theatre: Despite being best known for her role in Sex and the City. the Liverpool-born actress returns to the stage whenever possible

'We are extremely grateful and also thrilled that Noma Dumezweni, one of our most brilliant actors, has agreed to take on this challenge at such short notice. We are delighted that in spite of these difficulties Penelope Skinner's important play can open to our audiences with minimal disruption.'

Press night is due to go ahead as scheduled on 1 December.

Linda is a top marketing executive at a British beauty company, married with two daughters who, on the face of it, seems to have it all. But at the age of 55 she realises, with a shock, that her career — and her home life — has hit a wall.

Kim is no stranger to the stage, returning as often as she can, and was received for much praise for her role in Sweet Bird Of Youth at the Old Vic two years ago.

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