GAMES of Thrones and Coronation Street actor Philip McGinley is set to play the lead role in a theatrical event first staged in the 14th century.

The 34-year-old, who is currently starring in an adaptation of DH Lawrence’s Husbands and Sons at the National Theatre, will play Jesus in the York Mystery Plays, which dramatise key Biblical stories.

The plays will return to York Minster in May for the second time in their near 700-year history, when its Nave will be transformed into a 1000-seater auditorium for five weeks of performances.

Mr McGinley, who has also recently appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Great Expectations and ITV drama Home Fires, joined the 200-member cast in York yesterday (Sunday, January 17), for a first full read through of the script at the cathedral’s St William’s College.

He said: "I’m hugely excited to be joining the cast of the York Minster Mystery Plays and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the team and getting started with rehearsals.

“The chance to play Jesus at York Minster doesn’t come round very often, so I’m thrilled to have been chosen for the part.

"The Mystery Plays are world-famous and a huge part of the city and region’s cultural heritage, so it’s a fantastic project to be involved in and a rare chance to perform in a magnificent setting like York Minster.”

For tickets, visit yorkminster.org/mysteryplays2016, or call 01904-623568.