Principal Casting for RSC's Hamlet

Luke Thallon plays Hamlet. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 8 February 2025 to 29 March 2025, directed by multi award-winning Rupert Goold.

Preview

The principal casting has been announced for RSC’s Hamlet directed by multi award-winning Rupert Goold. Joining the previously announced  Luke Thallon who makes his RSC debut in the titular role, are:

BAFTA award-winning Jared Harris (Chernobyl, Mad Men) returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company to play Claudius. 

Jared Harris plays Claudius. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

Olivier Award-winning actors Nancy Carroll (After the Dance, Murder in Provence) and Elliot Levey (Cabaret, Cold War) return to the RSC to play Gertrude and Polonius.

Nancy Carroll plays Gertrude. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

RSC Associate artist Anton Lesser (Endeavor, Game of Thrones) to play the Ghost / First Player.

Introducing Nia Towle as Ophelia in her RSC debut season. 

Principal cast comprises Nancy Carroll (Gertrude), Jared Harris (Claudius), Anton Lesser (Ghost/First Player), Elliot Levey (Polonius), Kel Matsena (Horatio), Lewis Shepherd (Laertes) and Nia Towle (Ophelia). They join the previously announced Luke Thallon, who will make his RSC debut in the titular role.

Elliot Level plays Polonius. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

Rupert Goold, Director, said: “I am thrilled to announce the principal cast for Hamlet. I have admired Jared Harris for years as a fantastic actor on both stage and screen and to bring him back to the RSC after over 40 years is incredibly exciting. I am equally delighted to work with Elliot Levey again after Cold War and with Nancy Carroll and Anton Lesser both of whose work I have adored over many years."

Anton Lesser plays the Ghost /First Player. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

Director Rupert Goold continued: “Nia was exceptional in A View From The Bridge, and I know her Ophelia will be just as arresting. I worked with Kel and Lewis on Dear England and am thrilled to be coaching them as part of this team too. They join Luke whom I directed on Cold War and Patriots, and on his debut in Albion. His grace and sensitivity have always marked him as a future Hamlet and it’s a privilege to be working with him again.

“Returning to the RSC for me is a homecoming of sorts and to lead a world class classical ensemble in Stratford remains as magical a prospect as it did when I first joined the company.”

Nia Towle plays Ophelia. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

Full bios of all the cast are available to read on the RSC’s website, along with dates of special performances, Director’s and Post Show talks etc.

‘Drown the stage with tears.’

Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare.

Grief can play tricks on the mind, even conjure ghosts. But when Hamlet’s dead father appears to him one night, he signals murder, not madness.

Hamlet’s mother has married his uncle, and at a less than decent interval too. As he pulls at the threads of his not-so-happy new family, Hamlet unravels a web of deceit and immorality that leads to the ultimate crisis of conscience.

For more details and to book tickets call the Box Office on 01789 331111 or visit: www.rsc.org.uk