Alicia Vikander, the acclaimed Swedish actress known for her captivating performances in films such as "Tomb Raider," "Ex Machina," and the Oscar-winning "The Danish Girl," is set to make a significant return to the stage after a 17-year hiatus. This return marks not only her reentry into the world of theater but also her UK stage debut, as she takes on the lead role in a new West End production of Henrik Ibsen's "The Lady from the Sea." Vikander, who has spent much of her career in the limelight of Hollywood, is now preparing to step into the more intimate and demanding arena of live theater.

In a recent interview with BBC News, Vikander expressed her excitement and apprehension about this new venture. "I'm thrilled, but daunted," she said, acknowledging the challenges of performing on stage as an adult for the first time. The production, set to run for eight weeks at London's Bridge Theatre starting September 10, is a significant moment for Vikander, who grew up immersed in the world of theater.

Vikander's connection to the stage is deeply personal. Her mother, Maria Fahl, was a stage actress, and Vikander herself spent much of her teenage years performing in theater productions. "I grew up being at the theatre a lot," she recalled. "My mother was a stage actress, and I think even when I was dreaming of becoming an actress myself, being on stage was the journey that I kind of visualised." In Sweden, where Vikander is from, theater is a central part of an actor's career, often taking precedence over film and television. "Back in Sweden, if you're an actor, then really what you are is on stage," she explained. "And you're lucky to maybe have a TV show or film every couple of years, because that's how small the industry is in Sweden."

Despite her early involvement in theater, Vikander's career took a different turn, leading her to international fame through her work in film. However, the allure of the stage has always remained. "Throughout the years [theatre] has always been something I've been waiting for and thinking 'it will happen'," she said. Now, at the age of 36, Vikander is ready to embrace this next chapter in her career.

The production of "The Lady from the Sea" is helmed by the talented director Simon Stone, known for his work on films such as "The Dig" and "The Daughter," as well as numerous theater productions, including "Yerma," "Phaedra," "Medea," and "Angels in America." Stone's adaptation promises to bring a fresh perspective to Ibsen's classic, making it relatable to modern audiences. "He once again is going to take a classic and reinvent it and make it be something that is relatable to our modern audience today," Vikander said. "And when I was told he was doing Ibsen and 'The Lady from the Sea,' I guess that going back to my Scandinavian and Swedish heritage, it kind of felt like a perfect match."

Vikander will play the lead character, Ellida, a sea-loving daughter of a lighthouse-keeper who is married to a Norwegian doctor. The play explores themes of love, freedom, and the complexities of human relationships, which Vikander finds deeply resonant. "I feel like I totally understand the turmoil this woman goes through, and I don't think humans have changed that much from a core, emotional point of view," she said. "And I think that's why we're interested in these stories."

The play also introduces the character Hilde Wangel, one of the doctor's daughters from a previous marriage, who later appears in Ibsen's "The Master Builder." This connection adds another layer of depth to the production, linking it to a broader narrative within Ibsen's works.

Vikander's return to the stage is not just a personal milestone but also a reflection of her ongoing journey as an artist. She acknowledges the universal questions that continue to captivate audiences, noting, "It's incredible that the big universal questions are something we're still battling in the same way." As she prepares to workshop the play with Stone, Vikander is filled with excitement and anticipation. "I'm super excited and wonderfully nervous," she said, looking forward to the creative process that lies ahead.

Despite the challenges of returning to the stage after such a long absence, Vikander is driven by a deep passion for theater. "I did theatre for my teens for a lot of years, like a child actor, and then the last thing I did was when I was a dancer for the Stockholm Opera House," she explained. "I grew up watching my mother doing theatre, and I'd always watch from afar, and I can't wait to try and do it myself."

As Vikander prepares to step into the spotlight once more, she carries with her the lessons of her past and the excitement of new possibilities. "It's a daunting thing to do, obviously, it's my first time on stage as an adult, and it's on the London stage, and obviously I want to make sure people get their ticket money's worth! But I'm really excited," she said.

Alicia Vikander's return to the stage is more than just a comeback; it is a testament to her enduring love for theater and her commitment to exploring the depths of human emotion through her craft. As she takes on the role of Ellida in "The Lady from the Sea," audiences can expect a powerful and transformative performance that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.