Principal casting announced for RSC’s HAMLET directed by Rupert Goold
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced further casting for Hamlet, directed by the multi award-winning Rupert Goold and running in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 8 February – 29 March 2025.
The principal cast comprises Nancy Carroll (The Cabinet Minister, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Gertrude, Jared Harris (The Homecoming, Young Vic) as Claudius, Anton Lesser (The Pope, Royal & Derngate) as Ghost/First Player, Elliot Levey (Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, West End) as Polonius, Kel Matsena (Dear England, West End/National Theatre) as Horatio, Lewis Shepherd (Dear England, National Theatre) as Laertes, and Nia Towle (A View From The Bridge, Theatre Royal Bath/West End) as Ophelia. They join the previously announced Luke Thallon, who will make his RSC debut in the titular role.
Director Rupert Goold 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.
“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.”
The production features set design by Es Devlin, costumes by Evie Gurney, lighting by Jack Knowles, music and sound by Adam Cork, movement by Hannes Langolf, video design by Akhila Krishnan, and casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG.