In 1880 he joined Henry Irving's company at the Lyceum Theatre, playing such parts as Cassio in Irving's hit production of Othello, Laertes in Hamlet, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, Flutter in The Belle's Stratagem, Courriol in The Lyons Mail, Jack Wyatt in James Albery's Two Roses and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet to enthusiastic notices.Smythe, pp. 69–71 In 1895 he acted there opposite Mary Anderson, for example, as Romeo to her Juliet, in a long run.The New York Times, 26 April 1884, p. 21 He was Don Pedro in the long 1882 run of Much Ado About Nothing and travelled with the Lyceum company on its 1883–1884 American tour.Smythe, pp. 74 and 79 Terriss and Irving became close friends."Murder of William Terriss", Actors' Benevolent Fund website Terriss also became close with his neighbour, George Bernard Shaw. Terriss performed many roles opposite Mary Anderson to much acclaim, including the title characters in Romeo and Pygmalion and Galatea. In the highly successful revival of Olivia that followed, he again earned high praise.Smythe, pp. 80–87
