James Norton to star in Hamlet
James Norton is to star in Hamlet on London's West End next year.
James Norton is "pretty terrified" about playing Hamlet.
The House of the Dragon star is set to take on the titular role in Thomas Ostermeier's upcoming production of the William Shakespeare classic, which will open in London's West End in autumn 2027.
He said in a statement: "It’s a privilege for anyone to take on the role of Hamlet. It’s also pretty terrifying!"
The 40-year-old actor is excited to work with the German director, whose last two London plays, The Seagull and An Enemy of the People, featured Cate Blanchett and Matt Smith respectively.
He added: “But with Thomas Ostermeier at the helm, I know I could not be in better hands.
“Both this role and this director have intrigued me and challenged me over the years, and so I cannot wait to start this journey with Thomas and see where it takes us.”
Thomas first staged Hamlet in 2008, with the production - starring Lars Eidinger - enjoying a stint in London in 2011, and he is "honoured" to work with the Happy Valley star.
He said in his own statement: “I am pleased to be revisiting Hamlet for the West End … It will be my first time directing Shakespeare in English, and I am excited to explore the original text in order to bring this new production to life. My first Hamlet has been touring the world for 18 years so I am honoured to have the opportunity to bring it here to London with James, who in my mind is a perfect Prince of Denmark.”
James will be the first Hamlet in the West End since Andrew Scott in 2017.
But the actor - who last appeared on stage in 2023's A Little Life - is no stranger to Shakespeare, having played Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing in 2006 while still a student at Cambridge University. The following year, he appeared in Trevor Nunn's Cymbeline as Posthumus. And in 2016, he played Richard II in a short film which formed part of the Complete Walk series for Shakespeare’s Globe, which aired for free at various locations alongside the River Thames in London to mark the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death.
