Amber Heard is returning to the stage for the world premiere of Spirit of the People, a new play written by acclaimed playwright Jeremy O. Harris.
The production, which will debut at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts from July 17 to August 3, 2025, marks Heard’s first acting role since 2023, following a brief hiatus after her legal battles and motherhood.
A Bold Return to Acting
Heard, 39, has been cast alongside Brandon Flynn and Lío Mehiel in Spirit of the People, directed by Katina Medina Mora. The play is a significant moment in Heard’s career as she steps back into the spotlight after a year-long break.
Last year, she appeared in In the Fire and reprised her role as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom opposite Jason Momoa. This new role in the Williamstown Theatre Festival is expected to generate buzz, especially as it marks her first stage performance in quite some time.
The play’s ensemble also features Ato Blankson-Wood, Zachary Booth, James Cusati-Moyer, Amandla Jahava, Emma Ramos, Julian Sanchez, and Tonatiuh, who recently starred in the upcoming film Kiss of the Spider Woman with Jennifer Lopez.
Amber Heard’s Life Off-Stage
Amber Heard’s personal life has seen significant changes in recent years. After concluding her legal battles with ex-husband Johnny Depp in 2022, she moved to Madrid and began a new chapter with her family. On May 11, 2023, Heard announced the birth of her twins, Agnes and Ocean, through a post on Instagram.
She also shared a heartfelt message about motherhood, revealing how her daughter Oonagh Paige, who turned 4 in April, had already brought her immense joy, and how welcoming twins had made her life even more fulfilling.
In her post, Heard expressed gratitude for being able to become a mother on her own terms despite fertility challenges. “When I had my first baby girl Oonagh four years ago, my world changed forever. I thought I couldn’t possibly burst with more joy. Well, now I am bursting times three!!!”
The Play’s Themes and Production
Spirit of the People is described as a thought-provoking work that explores themes of land, destruction, and the uncomfortable truths surrounding it.
Harris, 36, has said that this play represents a personal challenge for him, as it pushes him beyond his previous work, such as his breakthrough production Slave Play, which earned 12 nominations at the 2021 Tony Awards.
The play will feature dialogue in both English and Spanish, despite Harris not being a fluent Spanish speaker. He has expressed excitement about experimenting with prose, saying, “I’m not a prose writer. I’m trying a lot of different things.” This suggests that the production will be an ambitious, multifaceted experience for both the cast and the audience.
A Look Ahead
The Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Spirit of the People promises to be one of the most anticipated productions of the 2025 season. With Heard’s return to the stage, combined with Harris’s innovative writing, the play is set to attract significant attention.
Fans of Heard and theatre enthusiasts alike are eager to see how she brings her character to life in this challenging and thought-provoking role.
The play will run for all three weekends of the festival, between July 17 and August 3, 2025. With the festival’s rich history of producing high-quality theatre, Spirit of the People is shaping up to be a major highlight of the summer.
