Gillian Anderson to play Blanche DuBois in Young Vic production

DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) in The Fall on BBC Two (BBC Two)

X-Files star Gillian Anderson is returning to the London stage to play Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.

The actress, whose appearance in A Doll's House at the Donmar Theatre in 2009 saw her nominated for an Olivier Award, was recently seen on television playing a police officer hunting a murderer in The Fall.

Anderson's character is a fading, alcoholic southern belle whose appearance at the home of her sister in New Orleans ends in tragedy in Tennessee Williams's classic play.

The Young Vic's production opens next year and is produced by Benedict Andrews.

Artistic director David Lan said: “Andrews' award-winning Three Sisters was one of the most talked-about shows of recent years. I expect no less of this great combination of artists.”

The theatre's new season also includes actress Juliet Stevenson making her Young Vic debut in Samuel Beckett's Happy Days as Winnie, which Mr Lan described as “one the greatest and most demanding stage roles ever written”.

PA