Proud to be in the wings: Damian Lewis supports his wife Helen McCrory at The Deep Blue Sea press night

By Jj Nattrass For Mailonline

Published: 19:23 EST, 8 June 2016 | Updated: 19:29 EST, 8 June 2016

He's no stranger to the limelight having won worldwide acclaim for his roles in Band of Brothers and Homeland.

But Damian Lewis was more than happy to wait in the wings for his wife on Wednesday evening, when Helen McCrory took to the stage in the press performance of The Deep Blue Sea.

Obviously having impressed her husband, 45, the 47-year-old Peaky Blinders star couldn't help but smile as he gave her a hug in her dressing room following the show at the Lyttelton Theatre.

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Proud partner: Damian Lewis was more than happy to wait in the wings for his wife on Wednesday evening, when Helen McCrory took to the stage in the press performance of The Deep Blue Sea

Proud partner: Damian Lewis was more than happy to wait in the wings for his wife on Wednesday evening, when Helen McCrory took to the stage in the press performance of The Deep Blue Sea

Helen - who has gained critical acclaim in the BBC2 gangster period drama - stars in Terrence Rattigan's classic tale of love, lust, longing and loneliness.

Following her performance in the lead role of Hester Collyer the actress looked to be in high spirits - obviously having won a favourable response from the audience.

And it seems that her husband was bowled over by his wife's turn on the stage, as he beamed proudly while congratulating her. 

Stealing the limelight? Obviously having impressed her husband, 45, the 47-year-old Peaky Blinders star couldn't help but smile as he gave her a hug in her dressing room following the show at the Lyttelton Theatre

Stealing the limelight? Obviously having impressed her husband, 45, the 47-year-old Peaky Blinders star couldn't help but smile as he gave her a hug in her dressing room following the show at the Lyttelton Theatre

Changing into a backless tangerine gown, which featured a small trail, Helen looked every inch the stage sire; oozing elegance whilst also showcasing her slender and trim figure.

Wearing her dark tresses pulled back in a messy bun, the London-born star showcased her naturally striking features, which were defined with a restrained amount of make-up. 

Damian rocked a smart casual look, teaming a black printed shirt with navy trousers, whilst the actor showed off his ever-growing beard and red locks.

Celebrating? Following her performance in the lead role of Hester Collyer the actress looked to be in high spirits - obviously having won a favourable response from the audience - as Damian cuddled her

Celebrating? Following her performance in the lead role of Hester Collyer the actress looked to be in high spirits - obviously having won a favourable response from the audience - as Damian cuddled her

Queen of the night: Changing into a backless tangerine gown, which featured a small trail, Helen looked every inch the stage sire; oozing elegance whilst also showcasing her slender and trim figure
Queen of the night: Changing into a backless tangerine gown, which featured a small trail, Helen looked every inch the stage sire; oozing elegance whilst also showcasing her slender and trim figure

Queen of the night: Changing into a backless tangerine gown, which featured a small trail, Helen looked every inch the stage sire; oozing elegance whilst also showcasing her slender and trim figure

The Deep Blue Sea tells the tale of Hester Collyer, whose tempestuous and heart-breaking love life is made public following an attempted suicide. 

Originally performed in London in March 1952, Rattigan's play seeks to pull back the fragile veneer of post-war civility, and sheds a light on the brutal sense of loss and longing felt collectively in the '40s and '50s.

First turned into a film in 1955, a new adaption as released in 2011, and saw a fledgling Tom Hiddleston as Freddie Page (Hester's lover) star opposite Rachel Weisz in the lead role.

And it seems that Helen's turn as the tragic Hester is set to be a success, as she received rave reviews. 

Writing for The Telegraph, Ben Lawrence described her performance as 'simply wonderful,' whilst The Stage's Natasha Tripney declared the play a 'restrained, but still deeply moving production of a Rattigan masterwork'.

A real leading lady: Wearing her dark tresses pulled back in a messy bun, the London-born star showcased her naturally striking features, which were defined with a restrained amount of make-up

A real leading lady: Wearing her dark tresses pulled back in a messy bun, the London-born star showcased her naturally striking features, which were defined with a restrained amount of make-up

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