Ian McDiarmid has a very successful career as an actor and director, and is joint Artistic Director of the highly acclaimed Almeida Theatre in Islington, north London.

His theatre credits include: Ivanov, Tartuffe, School For Wives, Creditors, and Kurt Weill Concerts, at the Almeida Theatre; Henry V, The Merchant of Venice, The Party, The War Plays, Crimes In Hot Countries, and The Castle for the RSC; Danton for the RSC and Almeida; Hated Nightfall and Love of a Good Man at the Royal Court; Raft of the Medusa at the Barbican/Radio 3; Edward II and The Country Wife at the Royal Exchange; The Black Prince at the Aldwych, and Peer Gynt and Mephisto at the Oxford Playhouse.

On television McDiarmid's credits include: Hillsborough, Rebecca, Karaoke, Gwyn Thomas - A Few Selected Exits, Heart of Darkness, Final Warning, Creditors, The Nation's Health, Richard's Things and The Professionals, amongst many others.

His directing credits include: Venice Preserved, Siren Song, A Hard Heart, Hippolytus, Lulu, and The Possibilities at the Almeida Theatre, The Rehearsal at the Almeida and West End, and Don Juan at the Royal Exchange.