Hopkins was a member of the original National Theatre ensemble when it was formed in 1965, originally as an understudy to
Laurence Olivier. His National Theatre credits include: Marc Anthony in Shakespeare's "Anthony & Cleopatra" (1987), the title role in Shakespeare's "King Lear" (1986-7), Lambert Le Roux in "Pravda" a new play by
Howard Brenton (1985), the title role in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" (1972, Old Vic), the title role in Shakespeare's "Coriolanus", Emperor in "Architect & The Emperor of Assyria" Frankfurt in "A Woman Killed With Kindness" (all 1971, Old Vic), Audrey in Shakespeare's "As You Like It", Andrei in Chekhov's "Three Sisters" (both 1967, Old Vic), Irregular Mobilisor in "Juno and the Paycock", Etienne in "A Flea In Her Ear" (both 1967, Old Vic), Edgar in Strindberg's "Dance of Death" (1966, Old Vic).
